50
Used, New, and Out of Print Books - We Buy and Sell - Powell's Books
Cart |
|  my account  |  wish list  |  help   |  800-878-7323
Hello, | Login
MENU
  • Browse
    • New Arrivals
    • Bestsellers
    • Featured Preorders
    • Award Winners
    • Audio Books
    • See All Subjects
  • Used
  • Staff Picks
    • Staff Picks
    • Picks of the Month
    • Bookseller Displays
    • 50 Books for 50 Years
    • 25 Best 21st Century Sci-Fi & Fantasy
    • 25 PNW Books to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Books From the 21st Century
    • 25 Memoirs to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Global Books to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Women to Read Before You Die
    • 25 Books to Read Before You Die
  • Gifts
    • Gift Cards & eGift Cards
    • Powell's Souvenirs
    • Journals and Notebooks
    • socks
    • Games
  • Sell Books
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Find A Store

Don't Miss

  • Kapow! graphic novels sale
  • The Chef's Kiss Sale
  • Powell’s Essential List: Novellas
  • Powell's Author Events
  • Oregon Battle of the Books
  • Audio Books

Visit Our Stores


C Pam Zhang: Powell’s Q&A: C Pam Zhang, author of ‘Land of Milk and Honey’ (0 comment)
Describe your latest book/project/work. Land of Milk and Honey is about the search for pleasure at the end of the world. A smog has descended and killed all food crops when an American chef is lured to a secret colony of the wealthy at the border of Italy. It’s the story of how one woman comes alive again to food, to her body, to her own source...
Read More»
  • Kirsten Berg: Rare Book Room Dispatch: Concerning Witches and Apparitions (0 comment)
  • Bry H.: Books to Read for Orange Shirt Day (0 comment)

{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##

Art of Fiction Notes on Craft for Young Writers

by John Gardner
Art of Fiction Notes on Craft for Young Writers

  • Comment on this title
  • Synopses & Reviews

ISBN13: 9780679734031
ISBN10: 0679734031
Condition: Standard


All Product Details

View Larger ImageView Larger Images
Ships free on qualified orders.
Add to Cart
$8.95
List Price:$17.00
Used Trade Paperback
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
QtyStore
1Hawthorne

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

This classic guide, from the renowned novelist and professor, has helped transform generations of aspiring writers into masterful writers—and will continue to do so for many years to come.  

 

John Gardner was almost as famous as a teacher of creative writing as he was for his own works. In this practical, instructive handbook, based on the courses and seminars that he gave, he explains, simply and cogently, the principles and techniques of good writing. Gardner’s lessons, exemplified with detailed excerpts from classic works of literature, sweep across a complete range of topics—from the nature of aesthetics to the shape of a refined sentence. Written with passion, precision, and a deep respect for the art of writing, Gardner’s book serves by turns as a critic, mentor, and friend. Anyone who has ever thought of taking the step from reader to writer should begin here.  

Review

"The Art of Fiction is a 'how to' guide for the neophyte who wants to sharpen his writing skills. Its author, the late John Gardner, was not only an accomplished writer but a teacher as well, having been a veteran of many a fiction workshop. Gardner's teaching experience led him to concentrate on technique as a means to successful fiction writing. His book is a collection of do's and don'ts for the young writer, supplemented with examples of the right and wrong ways of writing. Above all, Gardner believed that practice makes perfect, and he has included numerous writing exercises for those who wish to improve. Gardner may be naïve in concluding that anyone who wants to write can, but his optimistic teaching approach is infectious and is sure to encourage those who until now have been too shy to try." Reviewed by Daniel Weiss, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)

Review

"John Gardner was famous for his generosity to young writers, and (this book) is his...gift to them. The Art of Fiction will fascinate anyone interested in how fiction gets put together. For the young writer, it will become a necessary handbook, a stern judge, an encouraging friend." The New York Times Book Review

Synopsis

John Gardner was almost as famous as a teacher of creative writing as he was for his own works. In this practical, instructive handbook, based on the courses and seminars that he gave, he explains, simply and cogently, the principles and techniques of good writing.

About the Author

Johh Gardner taught creative writing at many universities. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1982 at age 49.

3.8 5

What Our Readers Are Saying

Share your thoughts on this title!
Average customer rating 3.8 (5 comments)

`
dougpinkston , April 23, 2010
Gardner is an American classic. At his best, he is the best writer of English prose I've ever read. (See October Light.) His non-fiction is complex, poetic and clever. I don't understand it all, but I enjoy the ride -- which is the point.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

(4 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment

`
believemeyou , March 16, 2010
John Gardner is a feisty provocateur in "The Art of Fiction." The book is full of insights that can and do guide the young writer. Who am i kidding? It still helps me and I am not young. I especially like the section that chastises the writer for the use of Latinate phrases. This book is a rare treasure and the voice--OK the voice--yes it is dated--but wise and Gardner's craft talk resists the forces of time. Who cares if he is out of contemporary step--his methods may be old but his lessons are classic. And every time I read this book, every time i come across that niggling voice--he is alive again. He is slamming my over-wrought syntax--he withering my diction. Gardner's teaching has become legendary and though i never had the chance to hear his voice--I still do. If you read this book and allow that voice to speak to you--you will become a better writer. The craft book has the power to transform your work if you let him scold you and deride you and sneer at your fancy prose. In "The Art of Fiction" John Gardner does not mask his voice. He'll spank your prose and lead you into your own dream of fiction. It's not a difficult read unless you're "sensitive." Sink into this book--if it doesn't make you a better writer it might just spook you a bit.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

(7 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment

`
sudra , July 24, 2009
I have to agree with "a reader" below - this is NOT a book for young writers. In fact, it's more likely to discourage young writers. Gardner seems so distracted by his love of language and the theory of fiction that he's unable or unwilling to communicate his "notes on craft" in a clear and simple manner. There are some important concepts in this book, but you'll likely have to read it twice with a highlighter in hand if you want to get anything out of it.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

(5 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment

`
Aelnyana , February 17, 2007
This book is not, as the previous review suggests, too obtuse and merely abstract. Rather, The Art of Fiction is a perfect choice for every young writer to peruse and understand. Among other things, Gardner introduces in this book his significant and classic theory of "the fictional dream," his proposal that an author's responsiblity is to create a dream-like state for the reader, completely capturing him into the story with techniques available to every writer. He talks about fiction not just as storytelling or a way to make money, but as art, an art which is capable of being not only learned but refined by using several methods, some of which Gardner describes herein. This book describes, quite simply, as the back cover blurb says, "..the principles and techniques of good writing." He is more explicit about writing method in his other classic book on writing, On Becoming a Novelist, but this book is a basic bible that absolutely should be required reading for every writer, and is really no less important. I highly recommend this book for anyone thinking to step out upon the course of bringing stories to life between the covers of books.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

(5 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment

`
a reader , January 19, 2007 (view all comments by a reader)
This is more a book on literary theory than a book which will help you to write better. The author states this up front about the first chapter, but the theorizing continues till the end of the book. Gardner talks about specific works of fiction, but at a very high level, withoug including many extracts. He draws distinctions based only on the name of an author; often no particular book or passage is cited. Gardner should have included a list of books that should be read and well understood before tackling 'The Art of Fiction'. A reader can be well-read, but still not have any way of knowing what Gardner is talking about. I gave this only two stars, because I personally don't like literary theory that isn't concrete.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No

(8 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment

View all 5 comments


Product Details

ISBN:
9780679734031
Binding:
Trade Paperback
Publication date:
06/04/1991
Publisher:
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
Pages:
240
Height:
.63IN
Width:
5.18IN
Thickness:
.75
Age Range:
14 to 17
Grade Range:
9 to 12
Number of Units:
1
Copyright Year:
1991
Series Volume:
TM 10-4510-206-14
UPC Code:
2800679734033
Author:
John Gardner
Author:
Gardner John
Editor:
J. Laslocky
Author:
J. Laslocky
Subject:
Fiction -- Authorship.
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Subject:
Technique
Subject:
History, criticism and surveys
Subject:
Reference-Writing Fiction
Subject:
Fiction -- Technique.
Subject:
Literature
Subject:
Reference/Writing
Subject:
REFERENCE / Writing Skills
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Anthologies-Essays

Ships free on qualified orders.
Add to Cart
$8.95
List Price:$17.00
Used Trade Paperback
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
QtyStore
1Hawthorne

More copies of this ISBN

  • Used, Trade Paperback, Starting from $7.95

This title in other editions

  • Used, Hardcover, Starting from $8.95
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

  • Help
  • Guarantee
  • My Account
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Security
  • Wish List
  • Partners
  • Contact Us
  • Shipping
  • Transparency ACT MRF
  • Sitemap
  • © 2023 POWELLS.COM Terms

{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##