From Chronology to Cartography spatial configurations in three works of Electronic Literature

Abstract

This article explores the role of cartography in electronic literature, examining how spatial structures shape narrative construction, reader interaction, and meaning-making. The increasing influence of digital media has redefined storytelling, shifting from a time-oriented to a space-oriented conception of narrative. While this transformation was anticipated in experimental print literature, it finds new and distinctive expressions in contemporary electronic literature, where maps function not merely as visual supplements but as dynamic storytelling devices. Through a comparative analysis of three works—80 Days by Inkle, which reinterprets Verne’s classic through interactive paths that challenge colonial perspectives; Not_A_Number by Xavier Leton, which subverts traditional cartographic conventions through Google Maps, foregrounding individual and collective spatial experiences; and Winnipeg: The Poem That Crossed the Atlantic by María Mencía, which translates transatlantic migration into a navigable sea of fragmented narratives—this study seeks to contribute to the understanding of how digital maps reconfigure narrative space. By situating these works within the framework of the spatial turn and electronic literature studies, the article aims to offer insights into how digital environments reshape reader engagement and expand the possibilities of literary cartography.