Adventure Illusion

Anyone would prefer an adventurous life over a mundane one… wouldn’t they?Even those of us who wouldn’t find ourselves caught up in stories of adventure at every turn – in the films we watch, the books we read, the podcasts we listen to. That thirst for thrilling experiences, travels to faraway lands, or passionate love affairs is what prompts this book’s central question: is adventure really what we want? Adventures don’t Exist explores how the illusory promise of adventure has become one of the most compelling and powerful narratives in popular culture and contemporary society. The notion that everything has a purpose and leads to a satisfying resolution has taken hold of every level of our society, from politics to consumer culture, but ultimately leads only to frustration and disappointment.Drawing on some of the most familiar adventures of our times, like Game of Thrones, Star Wars and the Marvel films, this book shows how adventure stories took hold of our imagination, and how those stories shape and intersect with our ideas about identity, race, gender and ability – who do we become used to seeing in the roles of hero, villain, or love interest? When we’re told that everything, even sickness, disappointment and suffering is laden with significance and meaning, how should we cope when we realise that our lives aren’t leading up to anything in particular? As narrative creatures that are always in search of a purpose or meaning, can we ever envisage a world without these adventurous illusions?