Unnecessarily difficult and over opinionated
|
|
Though I'd read about this book and had been recommended it as the essential guide for writing fiction, I was very disappointed by it. The author is very opinionated and prescriptive, particularly about the sort of education a writer needs. There a few specific and very useful guidelines, mainly about the use of language but the reader has to struggle through considerable verbosity and irrelevance to get to them. It seems very old fashioned, even though it's not that old, and the examples, many of them drawn from classical literature such as Homer, don't seem appropriate to contemporary writing
|
|
|
Difficult, Demanding Text on Writing
|
|
If you're a beginning fiction writer, odds are that this book will be too difficult for you. Don't be misled by the glowing reviews. Sure, Gardner knows more about writing than most of us ever will. But his philosophical discussions and frequent allusions to classic literature make this book suitable only for the best of students. Browse it in the library before you plunk down your money.
|
|
The best book on fiction writing I've ever read.
|
|
My summary pretty much says it all; no fiction writer should be without this book. I first read it almost 20 years ago, and every few years I re-read it to refresh myself. It offers both mentally stimulating exercises, as well as clear rules for writers to follow. For aspiring fiction writers who heed its wisdom, this book gives you one of the best gifts imaginable: it makes you *think* like a great writer as you sit down to put words to paper. (In addition, I recommend Gardner's "The Art of the Novel" as well.)
|
|
|
All fiction writers should own a copy
|
|
Ignore the rest: this is undoubtedly the best. Ignore, too, the bit in the title that says "Young Writers". If you seek instant improvement, there is no better recipe.
|
|
|
Perfect.
|
|
It was recommended to me by an excellent writer. It has been praised in my presensce by many professional writers. It is referred to as the Writer's Bible. It is perfect.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada