From the author of The Tunnel comes a new collection of essays, his first in eight years, on art, writing, nature and culture. This book is by one ...
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Dec 23, 2008
Bruce
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William Gass’s book of essays, Finding a Form, will appeal to those who ponder frequently and deeply on language, literature, and modern culture; I was captivated by his thoughts and writing from beginning to end, even on those occasions when I disagreed and found myself arguing with him. Gass is perceptive, articulate, witty, and highly creative, making the reading of his work a joy and an adventure, his metaphors, observations, and conclusions leaping from the page in nearly every beautifully
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Mar 27, 2011
Lauren
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This is a deeply intelligent, often witty, book on literary craft and form. Gass adores language and plays with it throughout; I might even go so far as to say he was a little too smirkingly pleased with himself occasionally, but at the same time he consistently earned my respect and admiration.
Okay, let me simply say this: I admit I'm not sure I understood all his points and at times I simply wasn't up to Gass's intellectual standard. I felt I needed to reread a few of the works More...
Okay, let me simply say this: I admit I'm not sure I understood all his points and at times I simply wasn't up to Gass's intellectual standard. I felt I needed to reread a few of the works More...
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Feb 02, 2010
David
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If you want to study literary form then read William Gass. He is the master. His writing isn't about the topic, it is about the form. This book is a master work in example. He starts an essay on Ezra Pound like this: It is too easy, the name game - in this case. .... If used as a verb pound means to beat, if used as a noun it is a weight. You get the idea.
Jan 12, 2009
Heather
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I will someday read the entirety of this book, but someone specifically suggested that I read the chapter on the present tense and its pitfalls, which I did, and now I promise not to use the present tense again, well, except when I want to, because sometimes I'm a touch rebellious.
Aug 29, 2009
Frank
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I like the essay "The Baby or the Botticelli," which is a nice rebuke to moralists from aesthetes.
Aug 25, 2011
Joseph
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I think my favorite was "A Fiesta for the Form." I also think I wanted to like this book more than I actually did.
Mar 18, 2008
Drew
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An excellent collection of essays. Particularly, "Autobiography," "The Language of Being and Dying," and "The Vicissitudes of the Avant-Garde" struck me. But there's a lot here for poets as well as linguists and philosophers. A well rounded collection.
Jun 24, 2011
Michael
rated it:
Some essays very good, others morbid and uninteresting and should be skipped.
The first essay bashing the Nobel prize is excellent.
The first essay bashing the Nobel prize is excellent.
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