Freedom by the Book: Novels and the Future of Liberal Democracy

Abstract The scholars included in this special issue of ALH reveal not an ideology but a method—a method that depends upon the novel. Many here suggest by reading novels—and, particular, them well—we might extend horizon democratic possibility. present essay agrees. Indeed, it suggests novels possibility three important ways: enabling readers to think deeply about relationship between incommensurate goods; accounting for role emotion shaping values; and process react inevitability change. Ultimately, have play fostering values.As free people, we make choices individual collective direction our lives. And, deciding, need examples stories others. We need, other words, lives lived meaningfully or unmeaningfully, with dignity without it.