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In his new book, Such Stuff as Dreams, cognitive psychologist and novelist Keith Oatley argues that reading fiction has broad psychological benefits

IF YOU鈥橵E ever been in a book club or enjoy discussing books with friends, you will know that people often interpret stories in different ways, reflecting their own experiences, inclinations and views of the world. Take Jane Austen鈥檚 Pride and Prejudice. While some readers may have little trouble forgiving Mr Darcy鈥檚 conceit once he starts to show affection for Elizabeth, others might question whether he is really capable of change.

This is one of the ways fiction seduces us: no matter how tight the narrative structure, or how well-defined the characters, we can always follow our own imaginings. In the technological era, this idea is evident in the nonlinear plot sequences of video games that let players decide for themselves how a storyline progresses. A similar device was used in the Choose Your Own Adventure series of books, hugely popular with adolescents in the 1980s and 1990s.

The idea that fiction is not just the writer鈥檚 creation, but a co-conspiracy between writer and reader, is a central theme in Such Stuff As Dreams. Written by novelist and cognitive psychologist Keith Oatley, the book covers a lot of ground, from the evolution of language and the origins of creativity to the mechanics of empathy and theory of mind. Oatley goes to great lengths to build a psychological theory of fiction 鈥� delving into the effects of fiction on the minds of readers and authors, how we identify with characters, the way that stories move us, how they can change the way we see ourselves and how they might even improve our social skills.

鈥淔iction is not just the writer鈥檚 creation, but a co-conspiracy between writer and reader鈥�

Unfortunately for Oatley鈥檚 theory, Such Stuff As Dreams reads less like a work of psychology than one of literary criticism. It is no less impressive for that. Much of the discussion is compelling, and this book could well change the way you read. The psychology, however, sometimes feels a little flat, largely because there is a lack of convincing evidence to back his main hypothesis 鈥� that reading novels significantly improves people鈥檚 capacity to navigate their social world, and that fiction is therefore 鈥済ood for you鈥�.

Still, his writing is entertaining and he鈥檚 tapping into a rich vein, and I hope he will explore the subject further. It would be interesting to know, for example, how recent psychological findings about the slipperiness of personality might find their way into fiction or affect the way we understand the concept of character 鈥� up to now considered an immutable quality in both the real and imagined world.

Spare a thought for Mr Darcy鈥檚 immaculate friend Mr Bingley, described in Austen鈥檚 novel (which Oatley extensively mines) as 鈥渟ensible, good humoured, lively鈥� handsome鈥� with such perfect good-breeding鈥� His character is thereby complete鈥�. Today鈥檚 social psychologists may beg to differ.