Why do we read fiction?

[QuantumIguana]

I don't know when fiction was invented, but for untold ages, fiction has been central to humanity. It is at least as old as cave paintings: no one without fiction could have painted them. You must imagine what is not in order to paint them. To plan requires imagination, which is the root of fiction. We don't hunt by instinct, we learn, imagine and plan.

Non-fiction is good, it gives us information. Fiction exercises the imagination. It shows us other possibilities. Some people deride the reading of fiction, but they probably get their fiction from TV.

[spindlegirl]

I like fiction because it is a great art form. A great way to make a parable. It kind of illustrates how, while we are obviously all different, we are also all the same. Even in stories I don't like, I sometimes find a hint of personality quietly slip into a character that I can relate to.

My tastes in what I like, in fiction are hard to nail down, but there is so much on line to read and broaden my horizons.

I like tv shows and movies etc, but sometimes I want to turn off the cacophony and just let my imagination quietly be exercised.

[QuantumIguana]

Some people are mystified when a story that doesn't have the best prose becomes popular. It's because the story is always what people have been after. Great prose can enhance a story, but great prose without a great story falls flat.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by cromag

I like my life, but I can only take so much of it at any given time.

Karma to you good sir.

[DarnellSaki]

Part escapism, part feeding my imagination, creativity (If I started playing with action figures in public people would think I was nuts. Reading fiction is one of the only socially acceptable ways to nurture your imagination)

[Freeshadow]

Short answer: because there's no need to read reality;
We're deeply stuck in it. (except people knowing a very generous drug dealer or pharmacist )

[QuantumIguana]

We're stuck in *a* reality. But each of us has only a worms-eye view of the world. Non-fiction gives us facts, fiction gives us perspectives.

[kennyc]

In answer to the OP.

Because we dream.

We're wired for fiction.

Because we are sentient and use it to survive.

We're wired for fiction.

[NickyWithNook]

I'll never actually have a chance to live in the worlds and times of the characters I read about, but it's as close as I can get. And I like it.

[ScotiaBurrell]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Well said. Sums up my reasons as well.

Mine too -- plus it gives me extended time with people (characters) I find fascinating.

[Penforhire]

Many of the reasons given but I also like to absorb some of the best authors' non-fiction research, as fed through narrative. I'm thinking of locations around the world, scientific theories, historical figures, etcetera. I do read non-fiction but I enjoy fiction more.

[speakingtohe]

I read fiction mainly because I really like to read fiction. I sometimes get a huge endorphin rush when I start a book by an author I like. I seem to recall my mouth watering on more than one occasion just in anticipation. Bizarre I know.

I particularly enjoy series with characters I find interesting and/or likeable even if they are evil villains.

Like Penforhire said, I also like to accidentally learn something or gain insight into other cultures.

I occasionly watch TV, play video games and read non-fiction but could survive okay without them. I could survive without reading fiction, but would I want to?

Helen

[Namekuseijin]

Because I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

[bill_mchale]

What the heck else are you going to do with it?

--
Bill

[hrosvit]

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

Short answer: because there's no need to read reality;
We're deeply stuck in it. (except people knowing a very generous drug dealer or pharmacist )

This. Because it's different than us (at least, the stuff I read is).

There was a comedian years ago (don't remember who) who did part of his routine about movies (I'm sure I am not going to even come close to an exact quote, so go easy on me if you're familiar). He said that he had no desire to watch movies about relationships, because he had relationships. He wanted to watch movies like "The People Under the Stairs", which was about people that live in the basement that eat people, because he didn't have anyone that lived in his basement that ate people.