John Gibson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Louisville.

Review from previous edition Gibson's book is well-written, erudite and wide-ranging, littered with valuable insights, and his broad vision of cognitive literary value as not constrained by narrow notions of truth and reference is an attractive and welcome one.

• Introduction ; 1. The Loss of the Real ; 2. Literature & the Sense of the World ; 3. Beyond Truth and Triviality ; 4. The Work of Criticism ; 5. The Fictional & the Real ; Conclusion

John Gibson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Louisville.

Review from previous edition Gibson's book is well-written, erudite and wide-ranging, littered with valuable insights, and his broad vision of cognitive literary value as not constrained by narrow notions of truth and reference is an attractive and welcome one.

• Introduction ; 1. The Loss of the Real ; 2. Literature & the Sense of the World ; 3. Beyond Truth and Triviality ; 4. The Work of Criticism ; 5. The Fictional & the Real ; Conclusion

John Gibson is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Louisville.

Review from previous edition Gibson's book is well-written, erudite and wide-ranging, littered with valuable insights, and his broad vision of cognitive literary value as not constrained by narrow notions of truth and reference is an attractive and welcome one.

• Introduction ; 1. The Loss of the Real ; 2. Literature & the Sense of the World ; 3. Beyond Truth and Triviality ; 4. The Work of Criticism ; 5. The Fictional & the Real ; Conclusion