Possible Worlds Theory and Counterfactual Historical Fiction

“Riyukta Raghunath’s monograph offers a stimulating reappraisal of alternate history fiction. This cognitively informed approach, supported by thorough readings of counterfactual World War II novels, demonstrates the vitality of possible worlds-based theo

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Possible Worlds Theory and Counterfactual Historical Fiction

Riyukta Raghunath

Possible Worlds Theory and Counterfactual Historical Fiction

Riyukta Raghunath New College of the Humanities London, UK

ISBN 978-3-030-53451-6 ISBN 978-3-030-53452-3 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53452-3

(eBook)

© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland

For Mumma and Raghuacha, For Everything. For Shadow and Storm, my Talismans For Shrav, For never telling me my odds.

Acknowledgments

This book includes sections that have been previously published in book collections and journals. A version of Chapter 4 of this book has been previously published in my (2017) article ‘Alternate History: Defining Counterparts and Individuals with Transworld Identity’. In: Fantastika Journal 1(1), pp. 91–108. I want to thank the editors for allowing me to use this material. Chapter 6 of this book is based on my (2020) article ‘“‘I AM not mad, most noble Festus.’ No. But I have been”: Possible Worlds Theory and the Complex Worlds of Sarban’s The Sound of his Horn’. In: Moser, K. and Sukla, A. (eds.) Imagination and Art: Explorations in Contemporary Theory. Leiden: Brill. I am grateful to Brill Publishers for granting permission for the work to appear in this book. My love for Possible Worlds Theory started with Alice Bell’s book, The Possible Worlds of Hypertext Fiction, which I read during my master’s degree in 2011. Sitting in front of this completed manuscript now, the immeasurable influence that Alice has had on my work is undeniable. Her unfailing support and guid