Book Description
In this powerful, poetic, and moving parable, the Wandering Jew of medieval Christian legend journeys to Delphi to consult the famed oracle of the pagans. He is turned away but not before learning that one of the most adept of the old priestesses, or sibyls, lives in disgrace in the mountains above the temple. In her rude goat-hut he seeks the meaning of his disastrous brush with the son of God. She reveals that she, too, has been touched by the son of a god, a very different son, not quite human, born of her own body. He dwells with her as a constant reminder of the betrayal of her mystical and erotic union with the divine, her punishment, and—perhaps—her redemption.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful but cryptic........2007-01-29
"The Sibyl" is a work of mysterious beauty, hampered by a vague and hazy message.
With its spare and simple prose, as clear and solemn as a sacred spring, Lagerkvist captures the essence of natural religion and brilliantly conveys the experience of ecstatic spirituality. However, it's an odd fable, opaque in its meaning; the Wandering Jew and a disgraced Delphic oracle relate their respective experiences with "God" and subsequent divine punishments. I'm not really sure what Lagerkvist, the self-described "religious atheist", was trying to say here. We're told that meaninglessness is divine, that god can be fickle, cruel and evil, that curses are an experience of the divine as much as blessings, that god is something inscrutable, but that our destinies are bound up with "god" whether we hate him or love him, that it's the search that gives meaning. A previous reviewer described this as Taoism. Similarly, this could be also be described as paganism, Manicheanism, Fatalism, or simple Nordic literary obscurantism. Take your pick.
In its tale of two unfortunate spiritual seekers, it is a wonderful, beautifully written story. What the overlying philosophy is, I am left wondering.
Awesome novel..........2006-12-12
I absolutely love this book. It is a quick read and is very interesting. Anyone interested in reading about religion and the way it impacts us should read this book.
Fabulous.......2006-05-22
It's mind-blowing!
Lagerkvist establishes the divinity of meaninglessness---
....."A son who must have come into the world just to show that meaninglessness, too, is divine. Or to be revenged upon [the sibyl] because she loved the one-armed man--because she rested one summer upon his single arm. Because she had experienced something other than god. Another love than the love of god."
And the comparison with the Wandering Jew's brush with a vengeful Jesus (not the nice canonical one) provides endless food for thought.
Curious how the Sybil's act of telling her story fulfills the Goat-god's incarnation, allowing him to return.
Not much there.......2006-01-18
In 1962 I read Barabbas for a book report in eighth grade. I spent long hours trying to deal with the subject matter and the way it was presented. In the final analysis, I really enjoyed that book and was proud of the fact that, at 13-years-old, I read it and was able to glimpse what it was really about.
Over 40 years later, I decided to read another Lagerkvist book and selected The Sibyl. The concept of the Wandering Jew and how Lagerkvist would approach it captured my interest. I was 10 pages into the narrative and thought I was onto something. Then the story turned away from the Wandering Jew and to the Pythia of Delphi. From that point on, it was downhill. I struggled to finish the book and only did it in deference to Mr. Lagerkvist who had such an impact on my young life.
Perhaps I am displaying my ignorance to the thousands of readers who consider this book a masterpiece. I'm sorry, but I found nothing of permanent value in this book. I'll cast it from my memory and remember Mr. Lagerkvist as the author of Barabbas, a truly inspiring story.
masterful storytelling, lacks a profound conclusion .......2005-08-05
...That is, the philosophical theme, the message one takes away, is meant to be illustrated but the illustration seems to take over the theme. This message seems somewhat Taoist, as it gives over the enquiring protagonists to flow with the all-consuming and inscrutable way of the universe. The author strikes a wonderful balance between portraying deep human sentiment and the whim and indifference of God. This tale is told with a compassionate imagination and a successful transfer of subjectivity from one protagonist to the other, not to mention a convincing female voice produced by the male author.
The soft, monologue narration goes well with the form of the book, being a short, emotional, fabulous novel. And the symbolism, of Pan, Christianity, Judaism; of the church and paganism; of the detached and aloof personage in contrast to the grounded, 'earthbound' type of person ("I alone was troubled at times; my beloved never. It was not in his nature. He belonged to reality, to the earth, to real life, and he feared nothing beyond."), all comes off well.
I found unique the character of the retarded son, and what he represented. A rebellious spiritual statement: "meaninglessness, too, is divine."
Though the story is colorful and simple and gives good characters, I found the spiritual, or philosophic message that I sort of infer above, left without clear definition, and the introducing protagonist, who asks the questions on which the whole story is based, never recieves or discovers a very good answer. One finishes the book feeling vague.
But he does feel as if he's passed through a valley of vivid episodes and stepped in and out of the pythia's (the drugged and raving human mouthpiece of the oracle) shoes, her role having been de-mystified and humanized.
Altogether, the tale is a good introduction to the simple narrative style and moral/philosophical fable that another writer, Herman Hesse uses as well. I hope that there are more substantial works from Lagerkvist to look forward to reading...just as after 'Siddartha' and 'Demian', one finds more thorough and engaging novels in Hesse's 'Steppenwolf' and 'Glass Bead Game'.
Customer Reviews:
A GREAT Addition to Your Kitchen!!.......2006-07-22
So, I call my hobby, "What Can I soak in Vodka?" ... I've tried many, many of the recipes in the book & they have all turned out very, very well. It has simple recipes with clear instructions (no super expensive ingredients!). It's a great book to learn how to make liqueurs & will give those of you who are more experiences some new ideas -- AND food recipes for your creations! The basic idea is to mix the ingredients and let them soak in vodka, etc. for a period of time. The beauty is, the longer you let it sit, the better it is! If you get busy, no worries!! Now that I know what I am doing, I have started experimenting with local, Alaskan wild berries & flowers (Fireweed is the BEST!). It's a great after dinner drink in January!! :)
Offering one hundred liqueur recipes .......2005-01-06
The collaborative work of Cheryl Long and Heather Kibby, Classic Liqueurs: The Art Of Making & Cooking With Liqueurs is the newest and highly recommended addition the the outstanding "Creative Cooking" series from Sibyl Publications. Offering one hundred liqueur recipes and more than one hundred ways to cook with delicately flavored liqueurs. From Hawaiian Fruit Liqueur; California Lemon Liqueur; American Whiskey Punch; and Long Island Iced "Tea"; to Mandarin Yam Bake; Creme De Menthe Frosting; Italian Anise Stars; and Cranberry Jewels in Liqueur, these are drinks and dishes that will add a gourmet element to any and every dining occasion.
Customer Reviews:
Okay for Philip K.......2005-09-05
About half-way through the stories right now. The stories are just okay for PKD, but better than your average writer. Enjoyed earlier collections more.
Some of Dick's most personal works.......2004-03-28
It is not that surprising to witness how this collection of short stories by Philip K. Dick is the least appreciated, since his later novels also tend to be greeted by varied reactions. But this volume is at least as good as the preceding four, and maybe even better. Here we find Dick less concerned with traditional forms, and perhaps more inclined than ever before to explore the issues that really interested him; many revolve around religion and theology. The stories were published from the mid-1960s to the 1980s, and reflect the thematic preoccupations of Dick's longer works from each period. The breadth of the tales is considerable, as the stories vary from deceptively light satire (The War With the Fnools, The Day Mr. Computer...) to politico-religious tensions (The Little Black Box, Faith of our Fathers), testimonies (The Eye of the Sibyl, Rautavaara's Case) and solitary soul-searching (The Electric Ant), often spanning all of these approaches in a single story. This collection might not be the best entry point in Dick's work, but a fair accessment of that work's relevance would not be possible without this essential book.
Later but not necessarily better.......2003-03-22
In this final volume of the Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick, we get a chance to read the short stories he wrote from the late 1960s to his death. For those who were accustomed to the imaginative and off-beat work of the first four volumes, this last book may be a bit jarring: as Dick's life got stranger, so did his stories. Even in the genre of the strange that is science fiction, stranger is not automatically better.
Some of the stories in this collection are every bit as good as the ones in the other books. Tales such as "The Pre-Persons," "Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday" and "The Electric Ant" are among his better stories. There are also stories that would eventually become novels like Counter-Clock World, Dr. Bloodmoney and The Divine Invasion. Then there are the previously unpublished works...which are strictly for PKD completists; there is good reason these were not published.
His later short stories, like his later novels (Valis, The Transmigration of Timothy Archer) are often permeated with the theological and hallucinogenic qualities that also dominated Dick's life. These later stories are dominated more by ideas than by good writing; compare the title story to the similarly themed Waterspider in Volume 4 and you'll see the earlier story is far better.
Overall this book rates a weak four stars, although the whole set rates a full five stars. Even if a bit disappointing compared with the previous books, this still has enough quality to be well worth reading.
If I could only recommend 2 Phil Dick books --.......2002-06-08
This volume has many of the stories from the out-of-print Ballantine "Best of Phil Dick." While his earlier work is more literate, his later style in stories/novels became much looser, but just as enjoyable. The themes here, like his novel "Do androids dream," are more mind-blowing and less reliant on finding a new twist on an old sci-fi theme. "Faith of our fathers," and "I hope I shall arrive soon"(probably the inspiration for movies "Open your eyes/Vanilla sky") are the most powerful, thoughtful and fun stories (how the heck does he do it?!) but may not resonate with gadget-oriented, non-psychological readers. Nevertheless, this is an indispensible book, and like "Do androids dream," my choice when giving a Phil Dick book to friends.
This has 'The Electric Ant' and 'I hope I Shall Arrive Soon'.......2001-12-11
Those two stories make it worth the price of admission. There are other, great stories included too.
Book Description
An award-winning favorite. Now in its 11th printing (previously published by Culinary Arts Ltd). Amazingly easy instructions to create delicately flavored berry, fruit, flower, herb, spice and vegatable vinegars. Versatile and delicious recipes will spur cooks to make flavored vinegars a pantry staple.
Enjoy vinegars like: Raspberry Spice, Dilled Garlic, and Peach with Anise Seed. Plus fifteen new recipes including: Incredible lime Chicken and Garbanzo Smooth-As-Silk Dip and old favorites like: Shallot Marinade, Papaya Chutney and Blueberry Chicken Crepes.
Now part of the new CREATIVE COOKING SERIES, specialty cookbooks to capture nature's abundance and true flavors.
Book Description
Food Chaining emphasizes the relationship between food items in regard to taste, temperature, and texture. This is a breakthrough approach for dealing with picky eating in children (as well as in adults).
Average customer rating:
- Family lore
- Family Ties
- the legend of mammy jane
- A wonderful book...
- Excellent book.
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The Legend of Mammy Jane
Sibyl J. Pischke
Manufacturer: Sibyl Jarvis Pischke
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0960853227 |
Customer Reviews:
Family lore.......2005-11-11
A fascinating book, especially since I'm connected to the family: Mammy Jane's son Newt Jarvis married my grandfather's sister, Stella Douglas. I met them when I was a kid. My dad used to tell me about an old woman who'd yell "Who's boy air you?" when she spotted him walking to the store. It was Mammy Jane.
Family Ties.......2005-08-27
I have loved this book since I received it as a gift from my grandmother when newly published by my cousin. Mammy is a not so distant relative of mine. I have seemed to have misplaced my hardback copy and ordered a paperback just so that i could read it again and share it with my children.It is not often that you can trace your family's daily history, yet Mammy Jane is our family history and I will cherish it forever.
the legend of mammy jane.......2005-05-14
I rec'd this book in 1996 from my mother, i grew up in Braxton Co W.V. and i do love reading books in that era... It is one of those books that i have read more then once... it truly is one that you do not put down until you are finished and then you are sad when you do finish, because you want to know more.. i would love to know if the Sibyl Pischke has written more in that era.
One, if not the best book i have read.
A wonderful book..........2004-05-21
I finally got the chance to read this increcible book just today. I borrowed it from my boyfriend's grandmother. I normally can't find books that will hold my attention, but this one, I couldn't put it down, from the first page to the last. It was wonderfully written; a kind of book that has all emotions. It actually made me cry in a few places. Anyone who hasn't read this book, its a must. My favorite book was Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, but after reading Mammy Jane, its a toss up.
Excellent book........2003-05-22
A great book on history and heritage of the Civil War and what now is West Virginia. Makes you realize what people of that era lived thru and had to do to get by on what they have harvested. Many people take things for granted. It opened my eyes to a whole new world. I would definitley recommend this book to anyone.
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African American Women Writers in New Jersey, 1836-2000: A Biographical Dictionary and Bibliographic Guide
Sibyl E. Moses
Manufacturer: Rutgers University Press
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ASIN: 0813540194 |
Book Description
Selected as a "New Jersey Notable Book for 1995-2005" by the New Jersey Center for the Book and awarded the "2004 Certificate of Commendation" by the American Association for State and Local History, African American Women Writers in New Jersey, 1836-2000 is the first and only reference book to identify and document the lives, intellectual contributions, and publications of over one hundred African American women writers in the Garden State from 1836 through 2000. Many, such as Jessie Redmon Fauset, Alice Perry Johnson, Sharon Bell Mathis, Ntozake Shange, Claudia C. Tate, Ruby Ora Williams, and Marion Thompson Wright, were born in the state. Others, like Amina Baraka, E. Alma Flagg, Helen Jackson Lee, Gertrude Williams Pitts, and Dorothy Porter Wesley, although not born there, were residents of New Jersey for more than fifteen years, and made significant contributions during that time.
This volume contains biographical and bibliographical information for each author. There are photographs of the writers as well as citations for their published pamphlets, books, reports, and articles. Sibyl E. Moses has enhanced the text with characteristic excerpts from the poetry and prose of selected writers. The two appendixes highlight the distribution of African American women writers in New Jersey both by city or town, and by genre.
Amazon.com
For mystery lovers and literary connoisseurs alike, 2000 was a year of loss. Gone are two masters of language, one with over 30 works to his credit (George V. Higgins), the other with only four (Sarah Caudwell). It is some comfort that each gave readers one last glimpse of literary skill before passing on: Higgins (At End of Day) captured the way people really speak; Caudwell captured the way many people would dearly love to speak. Her first three novels (The Shortest Way to Hades, Thus Was Adonis Murdered, The Sirens Sang of Murder) brought readers into the elegant, urbane world of Hilary Tamar, Oxford fellow and mentor to London barristers Cantrip, Selena, Ragwort, and Julia. Caudwell's last work, The Sibyl in Her Grave, continues the intoxicating blend of dry humor and genteel manners that marked her as a successor to Dorothy Sayers.
The sibyl of the title is the psychic counselor Isabella del Comino, who descends in a flurry of bad taste to the Sussex village of Parsons Haver. With an aviary of ravens, a frumpy niece, and a penchant for combining divinations and blackmail, her sudden death comes as a relief to the village's disgruntled inhabitants, including Julia's redoubtable Aunt Regina. Regina has enough to worry about: she and two friends pooled their resources and invested in equities--and made a killing. But now the tax man is demanding his share, and the money has already been spent. When she asks Julia for legal advice, Julia and her colleagues discover that both Regina's fiscal success and Isabella's death are connected to an insider-trading scandal brewing with Julia's biggest clients. Unraveling that connection, of course, is a task that falls to Hilary.
Hilary, who "labors always in the service of Scholarship," is a triumph of authorial ambiguity. After four novels, readers will be left wondering, apparently unto eternity, whether Professor Tamar is a man or a woman. Take it as a political statement if you will--or simply as another little mystery, courtesy of an author who reveled in the power of words to clarify, outline, elucidate, and obscure. --Kelly Flynn
Book Description
Julia Larwood's Aunt Regina needs help. She and two friends pooled their modest resources and invested in equities. Now the tax man demands his due, but they've already spent the money. How can they dig themselves out of the tax hole? Even more to the point: Can the sin of capital gains trigger corporeal loss?
That's one for the sibyl, psychic counselor Isabella del Comino, who has offended Aunt Regina and her friends by moving into the rectory, plowing under a cherished garden, and establishing an aviary of ravens. When Isabella is found dead, all clues point to death by fiscal misadventure.
So Julia calls in an old friend and Oxford fellow, Professor Hilary Tamar, to follow a money trail that connects Aunt Regina to what appears to be capital fraud — and capital crime. The two women couldn't have a better champion than the erudite Hilary, as once again Sarah Caudwell sweeps us into the scene of the crime, leaving us to ponder the greatest mystery of all: Hilary, him — or her — self.
Customer Reviews:
Beware! Too Fetching!.......2007-07-03
For who knows how long, this book reposed on my bedside table in what can only be called a "pile," which serves as a daily (or rather nightly) reproach to my schedule, inhospitable as it is to pleasure reading. Indeed, the little volume's repose had continued for such a long period that I regret to confess that I no longer remembered which member of my family bestowed it upon me, no doubt to celebrate some long-forgotten holiday (Mother's Day most likely -- forgotten though it commonly is more by them than by me). This novel is, as the reader no doubt will by now have guessed, the type of book that causes its audience to begin thinking in and even writing in its style of expression (fortunately in this case a highly estimable one). As one proceeds, one feels that one can almost hear the sounds and accents of each of the characters' voices -- as well as visualize them perfectly, a trick because Caudwell's descriptive technique tends to broad characterological brushstrokes rather than copious or distracting detail.
"The Sibyl in Her Grave," as other fans have explained here, is to be blamed only for its position as the last of Ms. Caudwell's divinely convoluted fictions (not that she can be blamed for dying! And what a treat, in any case, to discover a mystery novel composed largely in the long-neglected epistolary form!). In every other respect it provides a perfect summer entertainment (by chance such is the season when I had the benison of happening upon it). Since my own prose can hardly approach Caudwell's, especially in her perfection at approximating dialogue, I shall conclude with a brief excerpt that conveys the flavour of the novel.
Historian, Detective, Professor (and Narrator) Hilary Tamar's friend Selena begins the exchange: "...All [Sir Robert] really means is that Bolton has a Lancashire accent. As a matter of fact, I'd say that Bolton has infinitely more personal charm than Albany." "Ah," I said. "Not at all," said Selena, sounding a little vexed. "As you know, Hilary. I am devoted to Sebastian, and there can be no question of 'ah.'" (I presume Sebastian appears in an earlier novel as we hear little of him here, perhaps suggesting that the series is best begun with the first volume -- Thus Was Adonis Murdered -- rather than as I approached it with the last.)
Caudwell;s last and best novel, a little country village mystery a la Christie.......2005-07-31
This is a lovely tight little novel, which really makes you want to take up tax law - in a funny way and to research the minutiae of English law - Hilary Tamarr is the androgynous professor and friend/mentor and obliging bludger to the Barristers at number 63 - Selena, Julia, Cantrip, and Ragwort.
In this problematic novel Hilary must travel to the tiny village of Parson's Haver where Julia's aunt has got herself into a bit of a bind with the tax man who is demanding that she pay up on the return from the investments - trouble is the money is all gone.
In the meantime there is the mysterious death of a spiritualist and, it seems, blackmailer Isabella. Her rather unsavoury Neice is left behind along with a flock of ravens which were Isabellas joy.
The premise of this book sounds a bit unpromising probably - but believe me it is not. This recalls the marvellous mysteries of Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer or types of mysterys like the Midsomer Murders - they are small country villages, and tend to be small matters. There are louche characters, urbane dialogue, slight eccentricitys from pretty much everyone and immense enjoyment all round
As the solver of mysteries Hilary Tamarr is immensely enjoyable too. A little bit naive, mildly snobbish, and overly intellectually snobbish, good natured, and always on the bludge for the good things in life, but always with enormous good will.
These are character driven mysteries and I really enjoy them - I am so disappointed Caudwell will be writing no more, even this one was published postuhomously - she ended with 4 lovely books, each funnier than the last
Fabulous -- so sad it's the last one.......2002-02-13
Sadly, this will be the last book featuring the adventures of Selena, Julia, Cantrip, Ragwort and their former Oxford tutor Hilary Tamar, as Sarah Caudwell died in 2000. Last is not least, though, as Caudwell again provides her readers with hilarious characters, suspicious situations, and just enough British tax law to keep things interesting.
This installment centers on Julia Larwood's aunt Regina, who lives in the innocent-sounding town of Parsons Haver, West Sussex. This being Caudwell and not Christie, however, the town is populated with the same kind of oddball, interesting characters the rest of her books are (for instance: the town's newest resident is a psychic who keeps a flock of ravens and a vulture in her drawing room). Regina needs advice from Julia on a tax question; she and some friends have made quite a bit of money investing in shares in different companies and they are now being asked to pay a large capital gains tax. Strangely, their investment plan was identical to that of someone apparently involved in insider dealing at the bank of one of Selena's clients. But what is the connection? That's what this band of amateur sleuths sets out to discover.
As in Caudwell's other books, much of the action is explained through correspondence, in this case mostly letters from Regina to Julia, although other characters do take up the pen. The device works well; it allows the reader to see the story from several first-person perspectives at the same time and to get a better understanding of each of the characters who write. The book isn't all letters and no action, of course; several trips are made to Parsons Haver, Regina comes to London, and action on the bank connections sends characters to locations ranging from Cannes to Scotland. Stones fly through windows, ..things are stolen, and Selena, in an attempt to remodel the law offices at 62 New Square, must deal with those nefarious creatures known as builders. And, although this book does not end in the kind of showdown some of Caudwell's other books do, the ending is satisfying just the same.
The best thing about Sarah Caudwell's novels is the tone, the style. The characters couldn't be anything but British, but they are decidedly modern. Ragwort's trip to Cannes, complete with a dominatrix neighbor and a cross-dressing companion who serenades diners at a local restaurant, would be out of place in many novels, but it fits into Caudwell's world perfectly. Her humor is understated but effective; Cantrip, describing his attempts to discover whether another character is involved with the Parsons Haver business, says that upon his mention of the town, the man became very agitated. When Hilary remarks that this seems significant, Cantrip replies, "Yes, that's what I thought. But it turned out he'd just been stung by a bee, so I suppose it's a bit inconclusive." Caudwell's sense of humor also shows in her decision not to reveal Hilary's sex; the reader may attempt to deduce it, but the clues, such as they are, lead nowhere. The Sibyl in Her Grave lives up to Caudwell's other books in style and in substance. Readers will enjoy this last trip to 62 New Square.
Devilishly erudite........2002-01-03
As a student of literature I spend most of my time reading literature from the British canon--learned, sometimes difficult, prose. When I'm on vacation, I want to read something fun--not that Jane Austen isn't delightful. I cannot, however, suspend my constant need for intelligent prose.
Sarah Caudwell is a kind of Austenian mystery writer (a comparison others have made, I think). She satisfies the need for good writing, while satisfying the desire for entertainment. Implausible plot? Of course, but no less plausible than the coincidences sprikled throughout Pride and Prejudice.
The novel starts slowly, but once the characters and events get moving (albeit, postally) the mind of any mystery lover will be astir with conjecture. So much fun! The last novel I read during my winter vacation and completely gratifying.
Enjoy it for the language, the cleverness and the atmosphere.......2001-10-13
The point of Sarah Caudwell's meysteries was never the plot, or the plausibility. The novels are full of majestic letters no one would ever really write, wonderful characters who would never have the careers they have, and intriguing conversations that could never really happen. The pleasure of reading one of these books is, however, all the things that could never really happen.
It's hard to know how to help someone decide whether they would like this book (or the other three the author wrote before she died last year). I'd say that if you like Wodehouse, you will probably like this (but I hate Wodehouse myself). People who like Benson's Lucia books will likely enjoy these. And, oddly, if you are one of the people who loves Pamela Dean's _Tam_Lin_, you will no doubt find these mysteries engaging.
The books are full of improbable plots, which at least don't fall apart until you reflect on them later. The plots are as tangled as a pile of extra-long spaghetti, which makes it all the more fun when the professor untangles them. If you want realism, look elsewhere. If you want beautiful lanugage, interesting characters and acerbic humor, and you are willing to take that wrapped up in a mystery, you'll love these books.
Book Description
Where the Stories Come From defines basic terms in creative writing and explains the fundamentals of character, plot, point of view, verb tense, narrative structure, setting, dialogue, subtext, and theme. Thinking Things Through: Ask Yourself, Ask Readers, Try This, Exploration, and Exercises: Located at the end of every chapter, this section applies and explores chapter material by suggesting questions for self and peer evaluation and suggests activities and exercises related to the chapter topic. Devoted specifically to the writing process, Chapters One, Two, and Ten guide readers through each phase of writing. Chapter Eleven discusses how to elicit a helpful reading. An Anthology of Professional and Student Fiction contains every story quoted from in the text. Includes very simple definitions of fundamental terms used in creative writing courses. Use of quotations marks, end punctuation, attribution, and paragraphing is explained and illustrated simply and thoroughly. Appendix: Surviving on Your Own, particularly useful for individual writers and writers' groups, offers ideas about writing outside the formal educational system. For anyone interested in writing fiction.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Reference Work for Beginning or Seasoned Writers.......2005-01-07
As a teacher of writing workshops at a small liberal arts college in the west, I am always looking for new books to explain the components of writing craft to my students. I discovered this book last fall after I had already ordered another book for my class, but I found myself referring to Johnston's book throughout the semester. While Johnston explains the writing process and the basic elements of fiction with wit and clarity, for me the stand out section (a section I refer to in my own writing group) is the chapter on revision. This chapter offers numerous ways to re-see one's writing and takes much of the mystery out of revision for new writers. It also offers some very useful ground rules for use in writing workshops. Another innovative aspect of the book is Johnston's incorporation of the work of student writers into both the chapters and anthology. This non-elitist approach inspires students and shows them just how good student writing can be. The anthology is particularly strong in contemporary fiction, and questions at the end of each story clearly link them to issues of craft. At the end of the book Johnston includes a brilliant section called "Redefinition" that complicates the basic components of writing that she has presented throughout the book. The questions in this section should provoke deeper thought in even the most seasoned writer.
Average customer rating:
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Slip-Shod Sibyls: Recognition, Rejection and the Woman Poet
Germaine Greer
Manufacturer: Viking Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0670849146 |
Books:
- The Sweet Life: Reflections on Home and Garden
- The Talisman
- The Tell-Tale Heart (Bantam Classics)
- The Violin Maker: Finding a Centuries-Old Tradition in a Brooklyn Workshop
- The Wind in the Willows
- Three Adventure Novels: She, King Solomon's Mines, Allan Quatermain
- Three Plays: Desire Under The Elms, Strange Interlude, Mourning Becomes Electra
- Valley of the Moon: the Diary of María Rosalia de Milagros
- Vladimir Nabokov: Selected Letters 1940-1977
- Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive
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