Narrative Limits explores the unavoidable constraints that shape fact-based storytelling in journalism, literary essays, and various accounts. It argues that narratives, while striving for objectivity, are inevitably influenced by the available source material and the storyteller's chosen narrative structure. This influence, though not inherently malicious, fundamentally shapes the narrative and limits its claim to absolute truth. The book uniquely examines how these limitations affect our understanding of reality.
The book progresses by first introducing the core concepts of source fidelity, structural influence, and ethical considerations. It then explores how incomplete historical records or biased eyewitness accounts affect the stories that can be told, followed by analysis of how narrative structures like chronological order or thematic organization can emphasize certain aspects of a story while obscuring others. Finally, it addresses ethical issues, such as acknowledging biases and the potential consequences of manipulating facts.
Narrative Limits offers a critical perspective on journalistic integrity and narrative bias. By examining diverse examples and case studies, the book encourages readers to think critically about the narratives they consume and to become more responsible storytellers themselves.
