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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
Ah, im crying. This was so very good. It’s such a good book for both readers and writers. It was an incredible lens to look through and it clarified my thoughts about how important fiction is to me. Man. Will be rereading surely. Highly recommend
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
In spite of a questionable-sounding premise (when *I* describe it, anyways), this was an absolute joy.
The Russian stories were sortof all over the map in terms of my personal appreciation, but hanging out (...because that's what it felt like) with George Saunders? So endearing, warm, and funny. I was counting down the pages of ol' Chekov, Gogol, etc. waiting to be reunited.
I'm not saying that I connected with EVERY metaphor or interpretation, but I was overall very dazzled, and can genuinely say that this was unlike anything I've ever read.
The Russian stories were sortof all over the map in terms of my personal appreciation, but hanging out (...because that's what it felt like) with George Saunders? So endearing, warm, and funny. I was counting down the pages of ol' Chekov, Gogol, etc. waiting to be reunited.
I'm not saying that I connected with EVERY metaphor or interpretation, but I was overall very dazzled, and can genuinely say that this was unlike anything I've ever read.
A story means, at the highest level, not by what it concludes but by how it proceeds.
Where else can we go, but the pages of a story, to prefer so strongly, react without rationalization, love or hate so freely, be so radically ourselves?
Robert Frost: "Young man, don't worry: WORK."
I feel I exist on a continuum with other people: what is in them is in me and vice versa. My capacity for language is reenergized. My internal language (the language in which I think) gets richer, more specific and adroit. I find myself liking the world more, taking more loving notice of it.
Where else can we go, but the pages of a story, to prefer so strongly, react without rationalization, love or hate so freely, be so radically ourselves?
Robert Frost: "Young man, don't worry: WORK."
I feel I exist on a continuum with other people: what is in them is in me and vice versa. My capacity for language is reenergized. My internal language (the language in which I think) gets richer, more specific and adroit. I find myself liking the world more, taking more loving notice of it.
I feel luckier to be here and more aware that someday I won't be. I feel more aware of the things of the world and more interested in them.
It remains to be seen. Everything remains to be seen. Fiction reminds us that everything remains to be seen.
It remains to be seen. Everything remains to be seen. Fiction reminds us that everything remains to be seen.
Probably the best book I've read all year. It felt like being in an invigorating course where the professor respects your opinion and is interested in teaching. I loved the stories Saunders selected for this and learned and reflected so much while reading this novel.
Chekhov once said, "Art doesn't have to solve problems, it only has to formulate them correctly."
Saunders made us feel these Russian short stories fully. As a writer, I really appreciated his intimate approach to breaking down each of them. Some of the stories I didn’t like, but could still appreciate because of Saunders’ analysis. I dare say I might have a newfound fondness for Russian lit (never thought I’d see the day).
Recommend for any reader looking to appreciate more of the craft and certainly to any writer looking to improve the craft. My only critique: he veered further into literary analysis territory and away from technical writing practice as the book progressed.
Saunders made us feel these Russian short stories fully. As a writer, I really appreciated his intimate approach to breaking down each of them. Some of the stories I didn’t like, but could still appreciate because of Saunders’ analysis. I dare say I might have a newfound fondness for Russian lit (never thought I’d see the day).
Recommend for any reader looking to appreciate more of the craft and certainly to any writer looking to improve the craft. My only critique: he veered further into literary analysis territory and away from technical writing practice as the book progressed.
informative
medium-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Book Bingo 2025: One Big Book
This is more a metaphorical big book to me, because although it just meets the Book Bingo page count at 408 pages, it was more a mental challenge for me to pick up and read. Something about Russian literature has always presented a mental challenge for me - it always seems too dense, too intimidating. But although I can’t say I loved any of the Russian stories here, I did find some great gems in Saunders’ commentary, particularly the “Afterthought” sections. Mostly, this book made me miss being in school.
This is more a metaphorical big book to me, because although it just meets the Book Bingo page count at 408 pages, it was more a mental challenge for me to pick up and read. Something about Russian literature has always presented a mental challenge for me - it always seems too dense, too intimidating. But although I can’t say I loved any of the Russian stories here, I did find some great gems in Saunders’ commentary, particularly the “Afterthought” sections. Mostly, this book made me miss being in school.
Massive bang for buck here for anyone who loves short stories and wants to understand them better or who is struggling with the magic of writing them. You could also be someone mystified by all those who rave about Russian masters like Chekhov and Tolstoy.
Saunders has already earned his writing and teaching stripes, but here he rolls up his sleeves, pulls out his sharpest tools and dismantles piece by piece seven stories (replicated in full so don't worry if you don't know them already) and discusses all the componentry laid bare.
I have never been a fan of Chekhov. I'm with the young George Saunders: boooooring. I'm still not a fan, but I have a far superior understanding now of why he is seen as a master; and my admiration of Tolstoy has grown even greater. Other writers featured are Turgenev and Gogol - the other two give double value).
As well as all the scholarly analysis and advice, Saunders provides three appendices with exercises for the writer to stretch themselves. Very good ones they are, too. I'll be stealing them forthwith!
Saunders has already earned his writing and teaching stripes, but here he rolls up his sleeves, pulls out his sharpest tools and dismantles piece by piece seven stories (replicated in full so don't worry if you don't know them already) and discusses all the componentry laid bare.
I have never been a fan of Chekhov. I'm with the young George Saunders: boooooring. I'm still not a fan, but I have a far superior understanding now of why he is seen as a master; and my admiration of Tolstoy has grown even greater. Other writers featured are Turgenev and Gogol - the other two give double value).
As well as all the scholarly analysis and advice, Saunders provides three appendices with exercises for the writer to stretch themselves. Very good ones they are, too. I'll be stealing them forthwith!