What Really Happened Here? Dealing with Uncertainty in the Book of Distance: A Critical Historiography Perspective

Abstract

Uncertain cultural heritage presents a dilemma in its narrative representation. History seeks to push a grand narrative, at the expense of less convenient narratives. Critical historiographic approaches favor the consideration of multiple narratives as they focus on the mediation of history rather than arriving at a single truth. Virtual Reality Interactive Narratives, such as The Book of Distance, exemplify how uncertainty can be represented through re-enactment. In this late breaking work, we provide a close reading of The Book of Distance through the lens of critical historiography and suggest improvements for future similar experiences.