The Use and Abuse of Stories: New Directions in Narrative Hermeneutics

In the post-truth era, narrative practice has come under attack, but The Use and Abuse of Stories argues that it is a vital vehicle for addressing social and political problems. Hanna Meretoja and Mark Freeman's volume explores how interpretation is relevant to narrative studies and the broader debate around truth, facts, and narrative, emphasizing that narrative is a cultural meaning-making practice integral to understanding who we are and who we could be.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the current post-truth era, narrative practice has faced significant criticism. Many individuals associate narrative hermeneutics, the field of inquiry focused on reflecting on the meaning and interpretation of stories, with this purported movement beyond truth. However, The Use and Abuse of Stories challenges this notion by asserting that this broad area of study serves as a vital tool for addressing and rectifying the social and political issues of our time.

Hanna Meretoja and Mark Freeman, the editors of this volume, have assembled an interdisciplinary team of esteemed authors to explore the relevance of interpretation in narrative studies and the broader debate surrounding issues of truth, facts, and narrative. The contributions in this book emphasize the cultural significance of narrative as a meaning-making practice that plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our potential.

The book addresses a range of topics, including the dangers of political narratives, the truth in medical and psychiatric practice, and the role of narrative in shaping cultural and political contexts. By drawing upon the tradition of narrative hermeneutics, the authors demonstrate how narrative hermeneutics contributes to ongoing debates in interdisciplinary narrative studies and in the contemporary cultural and political landscape where the urgency of addressing issues of truth has increased.

Through their insightful contributions, the authors highlight the transformative power of narrative as a means of understanding, communicating, and addressing complex social and political challenges. The Use and Abuse of Stories serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and practitioners interested in exploring the role of narrative in shaping our world and addressing the pressing issues of our time.

Weight: 636g
Dimension: 161 x 243 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197571026