Overview

"Many people throughout the world ""inhabit"" imaginary worlds communally and persistently, parsing Harry Potter and exploring online universes. These activities might seem irresponsibly escapist, but history tells another story. Beginning in the late nineteenth century, when Sherlock Holmes became the world's first ""virtual reality"" character, readers began to colonize imaginary worlds, debating serious issues and viewing reality in provisional, ""as if"" terms rather than through essentialist, ""just so"" perspectives. From Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos and Tolkien's Middle-earth to the World of Warcraft and Second Life, As If provides a cultural history that reveals how we can remain enchanted but not deluded in an age where fantasy and reality increasingly intertwine."

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9780195343168

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Reviews

Brilliant... As If reminds us that, through real play in imaginary gardens, we can enhance the lives we lead in this alienated modern world. Michael Dirda, The Washington Post Mr. Saler counterpunches vigorously against the whole edifice of literary snobbery... His book should be essential reading in every graduate school of the humanities. But it's much more fun than that recommendation suggests. Tom Shippey, The Wall Street Journal Riveting stuff...Open[s] up a new vision not just of the literature of the fantastic, but of us as well. Rick Kleffel, Bookotron.com This is the best cultural study of fantasy I have ever read. A powerful, liberating argument, woven together from an impressive array of sources, all treated well and fairly. Saler routs the assumption that enchantment and reason oppose one another. Edward Castronova, author of Synthetic Worlds: The Business and Culture of Online Games If modernity can be called an 'iron cage,' as it was by Max Weber, the para-modernity explored by Michael Saler is an Escher staircase. Composed of oxymoronic juxtapositions-animistic reason, detached immersion, ironic faith, and enchanted disenchantment-it transports us nowhere, but the journey is filled with such wonders that we keep moving along. As If is itself a triumph of imagination and wit, as well as an exemplary exercise in cultural history. Martin Jay, author of Songs of Experience: Modern American and European Variations on a Universal Theme Michael Saler's dazzling book adds a new historical dimension to our understanding of imaginary worlds and literature; through As If a surprising illumination of our modernity becomes possible. Simon During, author of Modern Enchantments: The Cultural Power of Secular Magic Saler's book uncovers and identifies precursors to the shared imaginary worlds of our time. His argument is clear, his examples entertaining; the cumulative effect is startling and ultimately very useful, in that we are given a new and positive way to understand not only several currently emerging art forms, but also our entire cultural moment. I now see my kids' activities in a new light; it even seems as if our future could be good. Kim Stanley Robinson, author of Galileo's Dream

Author Information

Michael Saler is Professor of History at the University of California, Davis.

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