Becoming a Reader The Experience of Fiction from Childhood to Adulthood [Paperback]

Becoming a Reader in allowing us to predict our reading experience, allows us, as adults, to choose what to do with the power which reading gives us.A study of the psychological development of readers of fictional stories across an entire lifespan reveals a sequence of stages--as they mature from childhood to adulthood--that affects their responses regardless of personality and background.A study of the psychological development of readers of fictional stories across an entire lifespan reveals a sequence of stages--as they mature from childhood to adulthood--that affects their responses regardless of personality and background.Becoming a Reader studies the psychological development of readers of fictional stories across the entire lifespan. The author argues that regardless of personality and background, readers go through a regular sequence of stages as they mature from childhood to adulthood which affects how they experience and respond to stories. Literary theorists, reading psychologists, and general readers interested in the power of reading will find this to be an insightful book.Introduction; 1. Early childhood: the reader as player; 2. Later childhood: the reader as hero and heroine; 3. Adolescence: the reader as thinker; 4. College and beyond: the reader as interpreter; 5. Adulthood: the pragmatic reader. ...an excellent introduction to the kinds of fiction that appeal to school-age children, adolescents, and adults. It provides a rich and provocative as well as informative view of the why and what of experiencing fiction by readers of different ages. It introduces the basic ideas, assumptions, and themes in literary interpretation and criticism. It portrays the kinds of characters and stories that are recurrent in formulaic romance and adventure that appeal to all ages in different forms. As a basic primer on literature and literary experiences of children and adults, it is highly recommended. Thomas Trabasso, American Journal of Psychology ...a tl£‡