The Routledge Companion to Imaginary Worlds [Paperback]

This companion provides a definitive and cutting-edge guide to the study of imaginary and virtual worlds across a range of media, including literature, television, film, and games. From the Star Trek universe, Thomas Mores classic Utopia, and J. R. R. Tolkiens Arda, to elaborate, user-created game worlds like Minecraft, contributors present interdisciplinary perspectives on authorship, world structure/design, and narrative. The Routledge Companion to Imaginary Worlds offers new approaches to imaginary worlds as an art form and cultural phenomenon, explorations of the technical and creative dimensions of world-building, and studies of specific worlds and worldbuilders.

About the Contributors

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part 1   Content and Story

1. Locations and Borders Gerard Hynes

2. The Heros Journey Lily Alexander

3. Invented Languages Dimitra Fimi and Andrew Higgins

4. Invented Cultures Mark J. P. Wolf

5. Backstory Benjamin J. Robertson

6. Narrative Fabric Mark J. P. Wolf

7. Saviors Mark J. P. Wolf

8. Portals Jennifer Harwood-Smith