by Laura Miller
First published 2016
Laura Miller examines the creation and context behind nearly 100 beloved fictional worlds in this comprehensive study. She traces how authors built their imaginary realms across four millennia of storytelling, from Spenser's The Fairie Queene through Wells's The Time Machine to Murakami's 1Q84. Miller reveals how writers' personal experiences shaped their invented worlds and shows how contemporary events and philosophical movements influenced these creative visions. Each entry provides plot summaries and character guides while exploring the deeper meanings embedded in fictional details. The book demonstrates how authors transform lived experience and cultural moment into lasting literary landscapes. Miller offers readers a guide to understanding both the craft of worldbuilding and the historical forces that shaped literature's most memorable invented places.
Genres: literary-criticism, literary-fiction, non-fiction, art-history, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, literary-analysis
178 pages · Kindle Edition · Black Dog & Leventhal