The difference between metaphysical and visionary fiction.
Sometimes books that are metaphysical fiction can also be called visionary fiction, but books that are visionary fiction are not always metaphysical in nature. Visionary and metaphysical are not synonymous terms. So what’s the difference? Metaphysical fiction essentially has two components, philosophy and a non-corporeal, ineffable or supernatural element. In metaphysical fiction both components are an integral part of the story, ie the character’s supernatural/psychic experiences and their philosophy – or the philosophy of their world – are part of the action, ie through which the character achieves their goals or is thwarted in, or by them. Though it often is, metaphysical fiction is not necessarily ‘spiritual’ in nature. It may, for example, be based more on psychology or pure philosophy than on any spiritual system of thought. Visionary fiction, however, is always spiritual in nature. The usual subject matter and plot thread in visionary fiction is a character’s, or…
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What is metaphysical fiction?
Metaphysical fiction is a growing, but little-known, genre of stories that explore, or are based on, some form of philosophy or system of thought. Such fiction includes some aspect of the inner, incorporeal, supernatural, spiritual, archetypal or transcendent aspects of human experience and may emphasise an individual’s movement towards self-actualisation. Readers may gain insight into, or be stimulated to reflect on, such things as the nature of existence, the mind, the soul, the psyche, psychology, the spiritual journey and so on. Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is an excellent example of the genre. A modern example is The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Another excellent, but less well-known example is On the Soul of a Vampire by Krisi Keley. Here are a couple of other definitions. ‘Metaphysical fiction transcends the here & now into a deeper universal spiritual truth, and is characterized by an intangible mysticism that embeds itself in the written word.’ @jordyj6 ”…
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