None of the arguments rehearsed within Narrative and Media could be considered particularly fresh or original. Most of them would be quite familiar to those who have taught and/or researched in the fields of media and cultural studies. That said, though, the book is written with intelligence and lucidity, and the various chapters do provide nuanced overviews of different media narratives. A highlight is the chapter that addresses ‘soap operas and sitcoms’. In this section, the authors blend insights from feminist cultural theory, narrative theory and genre studies. They also engage with a variety of print and web resources.

Overall, Narrative and Media is a useful introductory text for humanities students. The book offers few surprises to scholars of media or culture in general. However, its accessible prose and broad-ranging bibliography will make it a handy read for those who wish to learn about the various forms that narrative has taken in Western media outlets.