We conducted an experiment to test theoretical propositions relating coherence, personalization, and provocation to in-situ engagement, deep experience, delight, and perceived value of time spent. Four hundred adults from a national panel viewed one of eight versions of a video centered on a character in Victor Hugo's classic novel Les Misérables, and then completed measures of engagement, deep experience, delight, perceived value of time spent, preexisting familiarity with the story, and the subjective experience of provocation. Each video represented a unique combination of presence or absence of the three hypothesized determinants: coherence, personalization, and provocation. Coherence, personalization, and preexisting familiarity with the story had significant effects on engagement. Provocation action increased engagement via its effect on the subjective experience of provocation. Engagement was a significant predictor of deep experience, and deep experience was a significant predictor of both delight and perceived value of time spent in the activity.