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thechanelmuse's review
4.0
I'd be lying if I said the author doesn't come off pretentious in this book that leans more autobiographical with a résumé rundown to boot than a helpful writing guide. However, I did find the advice and book recommendations on writing in a number of sections to be helpful for me. The sections that delve into his own writing process was a treat since I love to gage how others work and tap into their creativity for words, characters, and overall structure to come to life on the page.
3.5 rating
3.5 rating
bittersweet_symphony's review
4.0
I understand some of the reactions to Charles Johnson either doing too much name-dropping ("My accomplished writer friend so-and-so...") or referring excessively to his own work ("In my 1976 essay..."). I'm sure he could have done less of that, but given the nature of this book, it's excusable. It's an author writing about how to write. He has an abundance of worthwhile perspectives to share.
The Way of the Writer is mostly accurate in what it sells itself as, "reflections on the art and craft of storytelling." The more biographical segments that read like a memoir are welcome flavoring, echoing much of Johnson's work writing in Buddhism and pulling from the wisdom tradition.
Sure, there are more practical books out there. But if you're interested in something that floats between the territory of useful practices, pitfalls to avoid, and general observations about the craft, The Way of the Writer is a wonderful path to take.
I'd say it's in a similar genre of "on writing books" as Margaret Atwood's Negotiating with the Dead—one of the most moving explorations of the craft I've read. Both excellent additions to a writer's bookcase.
The Way of the Writer is mostly accurate in what it sells itself as, "reflections on the art and craft of storytelling." The more biographical segments that read like a memoir are welcome flavoring, echoing much of Johnson's work writing in Buddhism and pulling from the wisdom tradition.
Sure, there are more practical books out there. But if you're interested in something that floats between the territory of useful practices, pitfalls to avoid, and general observations about the craft, The Way of the Writer is a wonderful path to take.
I'd say it's in a similar genre of "on writing books" as Margaret Atwood's Negotiating with the Dead—one of the most moving explorations of the craft I've read. Both excellent additions to a writer's bookcase.
befriendtheshadow's review
2.0
Some interesting insight but nothing profound or new, and I found the voice to be pompous and self-aggrandising. 2.5 but rounded up for ease of reading.
argus_adonis's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
lumo247's review
4.0
The second half of the book was the most relevant, in my opinion.
Lots of inspiring advice; I'd like to purchase it one day to be able to quickly pull it off my shelves and skim.
Lots of inspiring advice; I'd like to purchase it one day to be able to quickly pull it off my shelves and skim.
librelivre's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of few craft books I can see serving the emerging writer sooner than the aspiring one. It is not heavy on tools and prescriptions, more so on aphorisms and (un)friendly reminders. I fault its tone, not its intention. While glad I read it, this won’t make a strong recommendation and not a worthy reread for me. Most appreciated were the many famed writers’ quotes and the robust references to the philosophical. Least appreciated: mild-to-strong condescension, the constant self-congratulating and name-dropping, and the clear sense of an androcentric education (the quotes he imparts are overwhelmingly from men, as are this book’s blurbs and this author’s proclaimed mentors.)
Still, “we shall not cease from exploration” (T.S. Eliot.)
Onward.
Still, “we shall not cease from exploration” (T.S. Eliot.)
Onward.
dylanperry's review against another edition
5.0
Reread: July 2022
Reread: August 2020
Picked this up on a whim, and enjoyed it just as much as the first time around.
Original Review: February 2019
This ticked all my boxes.
1) Always looked forward to reading this and always made time for it. ✔
2) Ordered a print copy soon after starting the audiobook, to both have for my shelves and support the author. ✔
3) Reached the final page and immediately wanted to flip back to the beginning and start the journey all over again. ✔
I thought this was going to be a charming little writing book that would entertain, and possibly gleam a kernel or two of craft from, and then largely forget about once I’d moved on. But instead Charles Johnson hits you with decades of experience and knowledge that only a seasoned author and dedicated teacher can impart. In short—I loved this book and will be returning to it again in the future. 5/5
Reread: August 2020
Picked this up on a whim, and enjoyed it just as much as the first time around.
Original Review: February 2019
This ticked all my boxes.
1) Always looked forward to reading this and always made time for it. ✔
2) Ordered a print copy soon after starting the audiobook, to both have for my shelves and support the author. ✔
3) Reached the final page and immediately wanted to flip back to the beginning and start the journey all over again. ✔
I thought this was going to be a charming little writing book that would entertain, and possibly gleam a kernel or two of craft from, and then largely forget about once I’d moved on. But instead Charles Johnson hits you with decades of experience and knowledge that only a seasoned author and dedicated teacher can impart. In short—I loved this book and will be returning to it again in the future. 5/5
kirahtianga's review
4.0
I appreciated this book, and would like to buy a copy to annotate. Johnson recounts experiences in life, storytelling, philosophy, as well as their intersections. Wonderfully written and never boring. Off to read Middle Passage.