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1.51k reviews for:
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life
George Saunders
4.52 AVERAGE
1.51k reviews for:
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life
George Saunders
4.52 AVERAGE
This was exactly what I needed to read right now. Not only did I realize I still have a huge soft spot for Russian lit (not just a holdover from my 20s as I suspected), but it was also the first time I thought about fiction in a more formal analysis way in a long time.
I used to want to write fiction when I was younger, and wrote some bad stuff that even got published in the local paper. *cringe* I might try writing some bad short stories again
I used to want to write fiction when I was younger, and wrote some bad stuff that even got published in the local paper. *cringe* I might try writing some bad short stories again
informative
medium-paced
Saunders structures this book like the course he teaches at Syracuse, and sometimes I found his analyses too academic for the layperson. More often his insights helped open my eyes to the subtleties/nuances/masterful technique in the works of the Russian titans. Overall a worthwhile read! One day I’ll come back and tackle this book as if I were an actual MFA student in his class
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Nice little reminder of why I like to read. At least three or four of these stories are really sticking with me -- partly because my own haphazard reading has been repeatedly patched up by G Saunders.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
NGL, wasn't that interested in this one, mostly because I have no wish to go back to school. But I really liked it! Opened my mind to 19th century Russian literature and the ways writers think about stories.
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
I’d recommend to everyone - even if you never plan to write a day in your life
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I'm not a fan of Russian fiction but I am delving into writing short stories and this book looked interesting. It turned out to be so worthwhile. It isn't a craft book (as the author says), although you will learn a lot from it. It is a very enjoyable discussion of what makes a good story. The experience of the book was like hanging out with a friend and going into ridiculous detail on what you thought of your favourite book. Only, Saunders is far more knowledgeable than a friend. His love for his subject shines through and, while I may not agree with all his interpretations (which he lets you know is fine) I learned a great deal from him.