In his first ever work of non-fiction, the Booker Prize-winning author of "Last Orders" and "Waterland" delivers a warm and generous account of wha...
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reviews
Aug 01, 2011
Karen
rated it: 
I've never read any Swift, so my intentions in picking this book were less than honourable: I had a couple of hours, and very little cash, to spend in town and this hardback was £2.99 in a discount bookshop.
I've always maintained that rudeness and arrogance are my most hated characteristics in people and thankfully Swift comes across as the absolute antithesis of these. Although it is a collection of previously published work, it is not just lazily chucked together nor, worse, presented as some More...
I've always maintained that rudeness and arrogance are my most hated characteristics in people and thankfully Swift comes across as the absolute antithesis of these. Although it is a collection of previously published work, it is not just lazily chucked together nor, worse, presented as some More...
Jun 21, 2011
umberto
rated it: 
I first came across Graham Swift's "Learning to Swim" published in a CUP series in 1997 but I decided to buy Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own" instead. I didn't buy or read his novel because it was quite unfamiliar to me.
Then last month I saw this book in some bookstores, its cover reveals him as 'Author of the 1996 Booker Prize Winner, Last Orders'. I like its fonts large enough for me to read enjoyably so I kept reading and understood more on how he works More...
Then last month I saw this book in some bookstores, its cover reveals him as 'Author of the 1996 Booker Prize Winner, Last Orders'. I like its fonts large enough for me to read enjoyably so I kept reading and understood more on how he works More...
Sep 29, 2009
Bill
rated it:
In the introduction to this book, Graham Swift states that it started out as simply a collection of non-fiction pieces but that it ended up being somewhat of an autobiography as well. In my opinion it didn't really succeed on that level at all. I really didn't learn all that much about his life from this book other than he's a writer, has quite a few other writers as friends, and drinks quite a bit. For example early on in the book he mentions that he found the love of his life and married her a
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Mar 08, 2010
Deryck
rated it:
This book on his life and writing is good, though not as good as other books I've read like this. I enjoyed the personal passages about his life, more than the thoughts on his craft. The chapter written on his father's death stands out as a moving essay.
I have always been a fan of Graham Swift's fiction, so as a fan, I enjoyed this book. It's not as good as others like this I've read. Art Objects by Jeanette Winterson is better by a contemporary British author, and Mystery and Manners More...
I have always been a fan of Graham Swift's fiction, so as a fan, I enjoyed this book. It's not as good as others like this I've read. Art Objects by Jeanette Winterson is better by a contemporary British author, and Mystery and Manners More...
Nov 22, 2011
BookRambler
rated it:
Highly recommended reading for writers.
Graham Swift has a wonderful way of drawing the reader into his conversation about the world of writing, specifically, his world of writing and the writers he's met, talked with, written with and about and even those he's gone fishing with. In many respects it's a rambling and disconnected book but I like this way of writing. Swift makes connections in different directions at the same time instead of guiding you along one path. It seems natural, inform More...
Graham Swift has a wonderful way of drawing the reader into his conversation about the world of writing, specifically, his world of writing and the writers he's met, talked with, written with and about and even those he's gone fishing with. In many respects it's a rambling and disconnected book but I like this way of writing. Swift makes connections in different directions at the same time instead of guiding you along one path. It seems natural, inform More...
Oct 11, 2011
Eskje
rated it:
I LOVED this collection! In particular, two chapters that focused on his feelings on becoming a writer, his description of the struggle involved and how he worked through it in his 20s. Resonated with this 20-something here. :)
Jun 26, 2010
David (Dafydd)
rated it:
A series of essays which are both thought-provoking and entertaining. We should all read more essays.
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