{"product_id":"performing-fantasy-and-reality-in-contemporary-culture-of-fantasy","title":"Performing Fantasy and Reality in Contemporary Culture - of Fantasy","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Performing Fantasy and Reality in Contemporary Culture, the author Anastasia Seregina offers a focused, theory-driven examination of fantasy as an embodied and negotiated practice. The book is best for readers who want a scholarly, ethnographic angle on how fantasy operates in everyday life and in group practices such as live action role-playing. Its single biggest strength is the consistent application of performance theory to multidisciplinary material, which yields clear insights into how fantasy shapes identities, communities, and meanings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerformance theory lens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book uses performance theory to make sense of fantasy as a social and bodily phenomenon, giving readers a coherent interpretive framework.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnographic research:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed fieldwork on live action role-playing provides concrete examples that illustrate theoretical claims about engagement and negotiation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt-based methods:\u003c\/strong\u003e Incorporates art-based approaches that deepen discussion of how fantasy is enacted and perceived in contemporary Western settings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMultidisciplinary scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on literature across sociology, cultural studies, and cognitive perspectives to situate fantasy within broader social life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on everyday consequences:\u003c\/strong\u003e Connects fantasy to identities, desires, and community formation, making abstract ideas relevant to lived experience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at graduate students, researchers, and advanced undergraduates in sociology, cultural studies, and psychology who want a concentrated study of fantasy through the lens of performance. Practitioners interested in role-playing communities, art-based research, or the social construction of meaning will find the ethnographic sections particularly useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a general-interest primer on fantasy or a broad survey of popular culture may find the approach dense and theoretically oriented; those readers should look for a more introductory or wide-ranging cultural studies text instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear theoretical framing that consistently ties observations back to \u003cstrong\u003eperformance theory\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich ethnographic detail from live action role-playing that supports claims with lived examples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThoughtful linkage of fantasy to identity and community that expands the concept beyond simple imagination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book's specialized approach may feel dense for casual readers seeking a lighter survey of fantasy in popular culture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerforming Fantasy and Reality in Contemporary Culture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoutledge Advances in Sociology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnastasia Seregina\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSociology; Cultural studies; Cognitive and behavioral perspectives\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFantasy as performance and negotiated practice\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResearch methods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEthnography and art-based research on live action role-playing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerforming Fantasy and Reality is a valuable, theory-rich study for readers who want a rigorous, ethnographic account of fantasy as a social and bodily practice. Its focused use of \u003cstrong\u003eperformance theory\u003c\/strong\u003e and art-based methods makes it good value for scholars and students who need a concentrated, research-driven treatment rather than a general overview.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book include original research?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it includes ethnographic and art-based research focused on live action role-playing communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is best suited to readers with some background in sociology or cultural studies rather than complete beginners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat theoretical approach does the author use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe author applies performance theory to understand fantasy as a bodily and negotiated phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Anastasia Seregina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48226535276763,"sku":"0367478943","price":65.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/91LIfvRlfNL._SL1500.jpg?v=1770362657","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/performing-fantasy-and-reality-in-contemporary-culture-of-fantasy","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}