Can possible worlds theory add something to the theory and study of narrative fiction? Looking at the landmarks in possible worlds approaches to narrative, one might have some doubts about this. After the milestones published by Marie-Laure Ryan, Ruth Ronen, Thomas G. Pavel, and others, the potential of the application of possible worlds theory to contemporary narratology seems to be exhausted.
However, the contributors to this volume on this subject demonstrate that there are many further insights to be gained. Those who lack the time to closely read 341 densely packed pages are advised to have a closer look at the excellent introduction, co-authored by the editors Marie-Laure Ryan and Alice Bell, which manages not only to provide a succinct overview of the development of possible worlds theory and its application to narrative theory, but also gives a brief sketch of the areas in which this approach continues to be...
