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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