I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I read Wonderworks's description, but I love learning about literature through the ages, so I was excited to read it. Beginning in Mesopotamia and traveling to modern-day through 25 "inventions" (themes), Fletcher highlights key shifts or emerging themes that helped shape literature. Some of the selections picked contributed to the feeling that I was reading an upper-division textbook rather than a reference book for book lovers. Several themes piqued my interest more than others but, as a whole, the book dragged and it was a slog to get through. While I am sure readers and writers who love critical analysis of literary themes and motifs will love this book, I am not one of those readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

This is a very interesting review of several [25] literary devices that apparently have neurological explanations for why they are so effective. It is this physiological connection that I found most interesting. It opens strong with a quick nod to how the Illiad incorporated a revolutionary version of the paean or battle chorus to replicate an oxytocin boost to provide us with a "connection to the cosmic human community.” Then we move quickly to the story of Job, and how it was rewritten to have such a powerful impact on the human empathy. Some of the “inventions” are more of how previous inventions were combined to make them more effective … most of seemed to be a stretch or something I just didn’t understand well enough to appreciate it. Regardless, it did give more a different take on a lot of the classic literature that I struggled with in school.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#Wonderworks #NetGalley

This is very good. It seems a little literature-nerdy, but that works for me. The author doesn't do a deep dive into any particular "invention" but does provide some good examples and I learned a lot along the way. Probably best for students and fans of literature, and my some authors-in-training.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

This is an examination of literary inventions through the ages of great use to students of literary devices.

I loved how each section makes a point, but does it in a storytelling voice to tell the history about whichever literary device is being depicted. It's an educations book, yet reads like a book of short stories!

Very interesting book and one of great use for writers and students of literature.

Angus Fletcher presents an intriguing and well-documented work. Ideal for the bibliophile and well-constructed.