A masterclass in telling stories - and how they shape our world - from the internationally renowned narrative expert
To command narrative is to control a sometimes frightening power. What is it that turbocharges some tales, and how is it possible to harness that potency?
John Yorke has revolutionised our understanding of story structure. In this new book he delves deeper - into how to put that structure to work in the world. Trip to the Moon takes us on a journey not just through drama and fiction but through politics, religion and non-western narrative, to seek out the role of story in all our lives, examining how to utilise its lessons to create life-changing tales - and, in a world aflame with conspiracy theories, to guard ourselves against their darker purpose too.
Revealing the artful symmetry and underlying principles that connect Summer beach reads to Classical Chinese poetry, superhero flicks to Russian arthouse, and classical rhetoric to state propaganda, Yorke makes dazzling connections that show how stories have the power to transfigure the chaos of our existence into a new equilibrium, and make the world anew.
| ISBN: | 9780241631089 |
| Publication date: | 29th January 2026 |
| Author: | John Yorke |
| Publisher: | Particular Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 496 pages |
| Genres: |
Creative writing and creative writing guides Literary studies: from c 2000 Film scripts and screenplays |
A masterclass in telling stories - and how they shape our world - from the internationally renowned narrative expert
To command narrative is to control a sometimes frightening power. What is it that turbocharges some tales, and how is it possible to harness that potency?
John Yorke has revolutionised our understanding of story structure. In this new book he delves deeper - into how to put that structure to work in the world. Trip to the Moon takes us on a journey not just through drama and fiction but through politics, religion and non-western narrative, to seek out the role of story in all our lives, examining how to utilise its lessons to create life-changing tales - and, in a world aflame with conspiracy theories, to guard ourselves against their darker purpose too.
Revealing the artful symmetry and underlying principles that connect Summer beach reads to Classical Chinese poetry, superhero flicks to Russian arthouse, and classical rhetoric to state propaganda, Yorke makes dazzling connections that show how stories have the power to transfigure the chaos of our existence into a new equilibrium, and make the world anew.
Trip to the Moon features in the following genres: Creative writing and creative writing guides, Literary studies: from c 2000, Film scripts and screenplays
Trip to the Moon is available in Paperback, Hardback
Trip to the Moon was written by John Yorke and published by Particular Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd
Trip to the Moon has 496 pages
£22.50