Books Like...
'The Hero's Journey' by Joseph Campbell explores the common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies. The author uses movies to defend his philosophy and delves into the power of myths, archetypes, and heroic journeys from all cultures and times. Campbell believed that there is one great story of mankind retold in the individual mythologies of all cultures, encouraging readers to follow their bliss and fulfill their greatest potential within themselves and in service to their community.
If you liked The Hero's Journey, here are the top 99 books to read next:
- #1
Save:'The Hero With a Thousand Faces' by Joseph Campbell is a masterwork that delves into the universality of hero stories and myths across cultures. Campbell's scholarly text demystifies the concept of the monomyth, analyzing a broad spectrum of cultural myths to reveal the common hero archetype present in all of them. The book provides detailed insights into the hero's journey, drawing parallels between myths from different societies and shedding light on the underlying similarities that connect humanity through storytelling. Campbell's writing style, although at times perceived as dry, offers a comprehensive exploration of the hero's tale, making it a fascinating read for those interested in mythology and literary criticism.
Typical of the circumstances of the call are the dark forest, the great tree, the babbling spring, and the loathly, underestimated appearance of the carrier of the power of destiny. We recognize in th... - #2Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Needby:Book 1 in the series:Save the Cat!
Save:'Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need' by Blake Snyder is a comprehensive guide on screenwriting and story structure. The book provides valuable insights into plot structure conventions, storytelling techniques, and tips for creating engaging and marketable scripts. The author's writing style is described as conversational, casual, and humorous, making the book accessible and engaging for readers. Snyder's emphasis on the importance of plot structure, character development, and creating meaningful story beats is highlighted throughout the book, along with practical advice on writing screenplays.
Each of these specialty presentations resulted in a million-dollar sale. And headlines in Variety the next day noted the marketing innovations and the bidding war both inspired. For our part, we alway... - #3
Save:Brokedown Palace is a standalone fantasy set in the world of Steven Brust's bestselling Vlad Taltos novels. The story follows four brothers ruling in Fenario - King Laszlo, Prince Andor, Prince Vilmos, and Prince Miklos - each with their unique traits and struggles. The narrative weaves together elements of old legend and modern storytelling, creating a lyrical and fascinating tale that delves into complex relationships, evolving characters, and a crumbling palace with underlying conflicts. The writing style leans towards a fairy tale, with humor and clean prose shining through, while the plot unfolds in a mysterious and surrealistic manner, keeping readers engaged till the end.
LONG AGO THERE LIVED A MIGHTY LORD NAMED FENARR. Some say he came from the lands around the North Sea, where the cold winds had frozen his sinews until they were like fine steel. Others say the Great ... Readers find 'The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers' by Christopher Vogler to be an insightful guide that explores how Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey mythology can be applied to strengthen individual writer's stories. Vogler discusses the archetypes of hero, mentor, threshold guardian, herald, shape shifter, shadow, and trickster, as well as explains each stage of the hero's journey. The book uses over 100 films as examples to illustrate the power of writing fiction and provides a framework for writers to create compelling narratives.
The waves are still rolling in from the pebbles in the pond that were the original Writer's Journey and its second edition. Since almost a decade has gone by since the second edition was launched, the...- #5
Save:The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell, as expressed by readers, is a transformative and enlightening exploration of myths, rituals, and archetypes. Described as impactful, thought-provoking, and perspective-shifting, the book delves into the essence of humanity, spirituality, and the meaning of life. Through conversations with Bill Moyers, Campbell's work is seen as a guide to understanding the interconnectedness of different cultures, religions, and belief systems, making the world seem more magical and interconnected.
People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. 1 don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experien... - #6
Save:'Guardians of the West' is the first in 'The Malloreon' series by David Eddings, serving as a sequel to 'The Belgariad'. The story picks up several years after the events of the previous series, following Garion and Ce'Nedra as they rule the island nation of Riva and await the birth of their heir. However, a new prophecy emerges, leading to mysterious events and threats. The plot unfolds with court intrigue, kingdom wars, and the introduction of new characters, while exploring the themes of destiny, magic, and the eternal struggle between Light and Dark. The writing style is described as easy to read, humorous, and engaging, with a rich cast of characters that readers have come to love.
It was late spring. The rains had come and passed, and the frost had gone out of the ground. Warmed by the soft touch of the sun, damp brown fields lay open to the sky, covered only by a faint green b... - #7
Save:Wearing the Cape by Marion G. Harmon is a superhero story set in a world where superpowers emerged about a decade ago. The main character, a young woman named Hope Corrigan, gains powers after a terrorist attack and is trained to become a superhero by joining a local super team. The book explores serious issues like geopolitical implications of superpowered individuals and the effects of frequent battles on the body and mind. The writing style is engaging, focusing on Hope's journey from a rookie hero to a seasoned veteran, while delving into details about the superhero life in America and beyond.
'Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within' by Natalie Goldberg is a book that combines writing advice with Zen teachings to inspire and guide writers on their creative journey. The book is filled with writing prompts, personal stories, and practical tips to help writers overcome blocks, tap into their creativity, and develop a regular writing practice. Goldberg's writing style is described as simple, inspiring, and nurturing, focusing more on the mindset and process of writing rather than technical aspects.
AYEAR AGO on a December night in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I attended the birthday party of a young filmmaker I had known only briefly. For about half an hour I stood near the buffet table in conversation...Many readers found that 'The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know' by Shawn Coyne is a comprehensive guide on story structure and editing. The book delves into the importance of structure in storytelling, providing insights on how to use tools like The Story Grid to enhance one's writing process. Coyne uses examples from various genres to illustrate his points, focusing on elements like obligatory scenes, pacing, and character development. Some readers appreciated the detailed information on story creation, while others found the book to be more about revising and editing than initial writing guidance.
When a manuscript that intrigues me arrives, I read it. I don’t take notes. I just read it. If I finish the entire book— twenty-four times out of twenty-five, I’ll abandon it early on as the obvious w...The Anatomy of Story by John Truby is a comprehensive guide to crafting compelling stories, focusing on character development, plot structure, and thematic elements. Truby presents a 22-step framework that delves into the essential components of a successful story, emphasizing the hero's journey, moral arguments, and symbolic elements. Through in-depth analysis of classic Hollywood movies and literature, Truby offers practical advice and writing exercises to help writers build well-crafted and original narratives. The book's writing style is informative, detailed, and insightful, providing readers with a systematic approach to story creation while encouraging creativity and critical thinking.
