Long before there were creative-writing workshops and degrees, how did aspiring writers learn to write? By reading the work of their predecesso... read full description
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Sep 07, 2008
Laura
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According to Francine Prose, creative writing cannot, in fact, be taught, but would-be writers can learn by studying the masters -- among others, Bruce Wagner, Jonathan Franzen, Alice Munro, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Scott Spencer. Prose is a proponent of New Criticism -- the philosophy that works can be understood only by reading of the work as an entity unto itself, and not by reference to external indicia, like the author's life or political beliefs. In keeping with that philosophy, Prose sel
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(20 people liked it)
Sep 03, 2008
C.J.
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I really enjoyed this book and the author's focus on the finer points of writing. She references dozens of classic works and discusses word choice, sentences, paragraph structure, voice and many other fundamentals of writing fiction.
Her comments are geared to literary writers and often I felt insulted (as a lowly thriller writer). At one point she says, "Opening a mass-market thriller at random," and she quotes a horrible passage that I didn't recognize. She's telling us th More...
Her comments are geared to literary writers and often I felt insulted (as a lowly thriller writer). At one point she says, "Opening a mass-market thriller at random," and she quotes a horrible passage that I didn't recognize. She's telling us th More...
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(9 people liked it)
Nov 01, 2008
Conrad
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Overall very good. I tend to skim books a lot when I get to parts that bore me, and then I end up falling into the habit and skimming all the time. Reading this restored the pleasure and argued well for the necessity of careful, time-consuming reading (I have no idea how Francine Prose has had time to read everything she's read.)
My favorite chapters by far were the ones on dialog and sentences. Writing dialog is really tricky, and she doles out a lot of good advice.
(Once More...
My favorite chapters by far were the ones on dialog and sentences. Writing dialog is really tricky, and she doles out a lot of good advice.
(Once More...
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May 09, 2010
Madeline
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First, let me get this out of the way: Francine Prose is the absolute best name for an author, ever. Some people get all the luck.
Okay, on to the actual book. Prose basically starts by saying, I'm a creative writing teacher and I kind of dislike creative writing workshops. She then spends each chapter going over a specific element of style used in novels - in case you were wondering, the chapter titles go like this: Close Reading, Words, Sentences, Paragraphs, Narration, Character, More...
Okay, on to the actual book. Prose basically starts by saying, I'm a creative writing teacher and I kind of dislike creative writing workshops. She then spends each chapter going over a specific element of style used in novels - in case you were wondering, the chapter titles go like this: Close Reading, Words, Sentences, Paragraphs, Narration, Character, More...
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Oct 27, 2008
Mandapants
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The trouble with Prose's book is that it's good. It's annoyingly like finding oil changing advice in the New York Times crossword or having your wine snob friend demonstrate the way to lay drywall with metaphors drawn from the bouquet of their favorite shiraz.
Still, Prose brings up several excellent points. Her section on gesture is particularly good; it's easily as illuminating and Stephen King's hatred of adverbs. But I think what I will take away most from this book is her advice fo More...
Still, Prose brings up several excellent points. Her section on gesture is particularly good; it's easily as illuminating and Stephen King's hatred of adverbs. But I think what I will take away most from this book is her advice fo More...
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(5 people liked it)
Sep 15, 2007
Lunamania
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The NY Times Book Review has a special slot on my Sunday schedule. In this a.d.d. world, it affirms that books, and more importantly, the time consuming process of mulling over words and putting together sentences that convey thoughts clearly--the act of writing, is still valued. Book Reviews in the Times generally go on for 3 pages before even mentioning the actual book and then it gets like 2 paragraphs--with a quick reference to a third book for comparison. I'm fine with that. They're always
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
shannon
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I've never read Francine Prose's fiction. But I wouldn't put it past her to be the most well read, articulate and accessible bibliophile currently operating. It seems she knows EVERYTHING, but she never makes me feel stupid or base in my reading choices. Instead, she is absolutely inspirational. It was all I could do not to put this book down at every page and run to the bookstore to scoop up and devour to classics that she brings to life through example, examination and pure joyful love of
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(6 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Michael
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[10/21/08: Realized I hadn't yet read the final two essays in this book, so polished 'em off. Still love this user-friendly close-reading instructional, despite its sometimes tendency to verge over into a starry-eyed gee-Mr.-Wizard tone that verges on condescension. Instructional and inspiring even if occasionally annoying.]
I've been parceling out the essays in this book, reading many books between each one, because the book is such a joy. Prose does more to explain how character, to More...
I've been parceling out the essays in this book, reading many books between each one, because the book is such a joy. Prose does more to explain how character, to More...
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(3 people liked it)
Nov 11, 2008
Robert
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Reading Like a Writer synthesizes Francine Prose's lifetime's experience in literature--as a reader, a writer, and a teacher. It's a splendid book because it is so learned, well-written, and insightful, presenting fiction (that's Prose's literary focus) in its component guises of words, sentences, paragraphs, narrative strategies, and telling details.
Francine Prose emphasizes close reading to best appreciate literary effects. She's not a member of a critical school; that never made More...
Francine Prose emphasizes close reading to best appreciate literary effects. She's not a member of a critical school; that never made More...
Jul 29, 2008
Shannon
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I was eagerly awaiting the paperback edition to read this, it sounded so interesting. And it was. Is. Grr. Don't worry, it's not about grammar or punctuation. This is about reading for enjoyment and also for inspiration, motivation, guidance, example....
Divided into chapters on words, sentences, paragraphs, narration, dialogue, gestures - you get the picture - Prose (isn't that the most perfect name?!) uses analysis, anecdotes and extensive quotes to bring books and short stories to More...
Divided into chapters on words, sentences, paragraphs, narration, dialogue, gestures - you get the picture - Prose (isn't that the most perfect name?!) uses analysis, anecdotes and extensive quotes to bring books and short stories to More...
Jun 07, 2008
Jeanne
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Given my recent resolution to pay more attention while reading (see my Lovely Bones review), I thought this would be a good place to start. Unfortunately I didn't get very far. Francine Prose examines very good literature (Hemingway, Joyce, etc.), and how to read it closely to glean everything the author intended to convey.
What I came to realize very quickly is that I don't read very good literature, and in fact I don't enjoy it. My tastes are shallow. (And this is probably why I dev More...
What I came to realize very quickly is that I don't read very good literature, and in fact I don't enjoy it. My tastes are shallow. (And this is probably why I dev More...
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 01, 2008
Douglas
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 21, 2008
John
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As a late bloomer, many high school topics, including reading and writing were wasted on me. In returning more recently to reading, and to a lesser extent writing, I have started to gain an appreciation of these arts, and in turn to mourn the loss of this early education. Perhaps these are the reasons that I cite in trying to explain why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. And as a hidden gem, what could be more appropriate than reading a book about writing crafted by an author whose na
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(3 people liked it)
Sep 24, 2007
Lord
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This book is highly influential and inspirational. It really gives me hope as a writer and I think I'll be referring back to it as often as I do Ann Lammott's 'Bird by Bird'. It is a wonderful gift when an author/instructor willingly gives out all their knowledge about their craft so freely and so engagingly. She has very accurate and accerbicly questioning views on how academia can hinder the creative process and how the best learning of the craft of writing comes from reading closely and liste
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 05, 2007
Jason
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I actually took a graduate class with Ms. Prose, and many of the points she makes in the book were made in the class. I was in one of those sessions she mentions in the book, where the majority of an hour and half is spent on the first couple pages of a story. It was a bit overwhelming, and I think her method works better in book form.
I don't think this is a book that will make you a better writer, but it is inspiring and enjoyable. In fact, the book could potentially hinder a young More...
I don't think this is a book that will make you a better writer, but it is inspiring and enjoyable. In fact, the book could potentially hinder a young More...
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(2 people liked it)
Jul 01, 2007
Jennifer
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This book has a difficult task to accomplish: discussing the craft of writing without being trite while still being helpful. Prose's method is to let great writing speak for itself, selecting careful examples to illustrate her point. This method works rather well when she discusses words, sentences, and paragraphs. I enjoyed having to notice the craft at that level of detail, which is so easy to overlook when you're engrossed in a novel. Her method worked less well when discussing narration or c
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 21, 2008
Demetria
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I'm usually not too keen on books that are allegedly for writers, but this one is really good. Francine Prose (gotta love the name) does an excellent job of utilizing literary works and her own experiences to illustrate points without being too textbooky. There are chapters on things like word choice, sentence structure and dialogue, but I swear it's interesting! There's also a pretty handy list at the end, of books that illustrate some of the points Prose makes. This book has actually made me b
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May 03, 2008
Karen
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I appreciated that Francine Prose let great writing speak for itself. Probably more than half this book consists of examples, and I agree with Prose that the best way to teach readers how to recognize a great sentence or paragraph is to just keep showing us what they look like. However, as a writer, I feel I am constantly bombarded with other, more successful writers telling me "This is what a writer is, this is how a writer should think" or "If you didn't read such and such book
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 21, 2011
Shara (Calico Reaction)
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Recommending this book is a tricky thing: yes, I would recommend it based on the attention given to gestures and the first couple chapters where she does offer points on how to read critically and how to enjoy what you're reading. But for writers looking for in-depth discussion of POV, character, and detail, I'd recommend finding a book devoted to such discussions.[return][return]To those who do love literature, have at it. And to those who simply enjoy reading but have no desire to write storie
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Feb 24, 2009
W.H.
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Ms. Prose (how apt the name) begins to answer the question many of my students ask.
CAN ‘CREATIVE WRITING’ BE TAUGHT?
To begin with, I don’t like the term myself. The very word –creative -- strikes me as boastful and smarmy, like the ludicrous things people put on vanity license plates. Do I really care if someone uses his Buick to tell me he was BRN 2 RUN? But lawyers and engineers call what they do writing too, so I suppose the differentiating adjective i More...
CAN ‘CREATIVE WRITING’ BE TAUGHT?
To begin with, I don’t like the term myself. The very word –creative -- strikes me as boastful and smarmy, like the ludicrous things people put on vanity license plates. Do I really care if someone uses his Buick to tell me he was BRN 2 RUN? But lawyers and engineers call what they do writing too, so I suppose the differentiating adjective i More...
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Feb 05, 2009
National Book Award finalist Francine Prose (for Blue Angel) is an evangelist for the practice of improving one's writing by reading the great writers. After reading her extremely thorough and humorous analysis of works that demonstrate the highest craft of wordsmithery, it's hard not to convert to her way of thinking, though not everyone will adore her occasionally dictatorial tone or agree with her choices of who is (and isn't) "great." At the same time, she is remarkably fair-minded
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Dec 22, 2008
This is an AMAZING book. This book has been far more useful than every moment I spent in the MISERABLE creative writing class at the local community college (the psychotic professor condemned us all to reading only living authors, and to reading WAY too many short-stories by ONLY living writers). Time is a great winnowing process -- over time, bad books fall out of circulation and print. There were hundreds of HORRENDOUS books written in the 19th c., but what survives are the best. Just beca
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Jan 30, 2012
Lorraine
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I chose this book because its title reads "for people who love books." The rest of the title that says who want to write them is really more of what the book is about. The author considers throughout the book whether creative writing can be taught. I wasn't really looking to find the answer to that question. However, I was in awe at the way in which she wrote the book, the examples she gives from many books and how well she presented it. If she were my teacher I would really gain a who
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Nov 30, 2011
Emma
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Let me tell you a story. A few years ago I found myself with a small gathering of my friends and somehow the conversation came around to "The Vagina monologues". Bear with me here, it's relevant. None of them had read them or seen them before, but I love them. I spent a good hour and a half that evening talking about them. I performed some, from memory and from the book. I talked through them, explained them, talked about what I found in different ones. I offered to change the topic re
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Oct 09, 2011
Taka
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Better the second time around--
Reading Francine Prose’s Reading Like a Writer the second time was a very different experience from reading it four years ago when I didn’t know much about the craft of writing. When I read it the first time, I didn’t find the book to be of any practical value. As a beginning writer, her assertions like “there are no general rules, only individual examples to help point you in a direction in which you might want to go,” only confused me and I didn’t know More...
Reading Francine Prose’s Reading Like a Writer the second time was a very different experience from reading it four years ago when I didn’t know much about the craft of writing. When I read it the first time, I didn’t find the book to be of any practical value. As a beginning writer, her assertions like “there are no general rules, only individual examples to help point you in a direction in which you might want to go,” only confused me and I didn’t know More...
Aug 13, 2011
Dale
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Wish I had read this book thirty years ago (well, OK, it wasn't even written then) because it would have made me a better reader and--perhaps by extension--a better writer. Some other reviewers have commented on her advocating New Criticism or her philosophy on how writing should be taught. This was a far more personal book for me, an instruction manual of sorts. At times it baldly admonished "Pay attention!" But if offers much more, most notably examples pulled from literature (much o
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Aug 09, 2011
Jennifer (JC-S)
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‘Literature is an endless source of courage and confirmation.’
I was drawn to this book by some enthusiastic reviews by fellow readers. I was curious to find out what Ms Prose has to say on whether creative writing can be taught, keen to find out which writers she admires, which books she recommends, and why.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book: I particularly liked Ms Prose’s suggestion that although writing workshops can be helpful, the best way to learn how to write is to rea More...
I was drawn to this book by some enthusiastic reviews by fellow readers. I was curious to find out what Ms Prose has to say on whether creative writing can be taught, keen to find out which writers she admires, which books she recommends, and why.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book: I particularly liked Ms Prose’s suggestion that although writing workshops can be helpful, the best way to learn how to write is to rea More...
Apr 09, 2011
Jesse
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This is an amazing book. The author starts by talking about the tiny details like words and sentences and then moves onto the larger parts of writing like paragraphs, narration, and dialogue. She covers all the important things like: making your characters interesting, talking like real people, including details that matter, giving characters gestures that are important, etc. She also includes several great first paragraphs.
The best part of the book is that it is both talking about More...
The best part of the book is that it is both talking about More...
Feb 14, 2011
Zach
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From the very beginning this book irritated me. I found myself stopping at intervals to try and figure out why that was. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with a definitive answer. I think, simply, that I don't like Prose's personality. That sounds harsher than I mean it. Put a (slightly) nicer way, she's not the kind of person I would ever want to talk about books with. There is a degree of condescention and snobbery in her tone. She is a literary elitist, and I'm opposed to that.
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Dec 23, 2010
Kathy
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Excellent. My friend/surrogate Mom/mentor, Jan, bought me this book - had it shipped to my house by Amazon when I told her I'd hit a wall in the revision of my manuscript. This book has changed my life! It is the single best book I've read about writing and reading ... instructive both to the creative writer/novelist/storyteller as well as helpful for the teacher. True, it's didactic and because of the many examples, I had to read it in "spurts" over a month and a half, rather than in
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