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aparrett's review against another edition
4.0
If I had the option it would be 3.5 stars. There's solid advice in here, but there's plenty that feels out of touch for those getting started or those that don't have the means to "let someone else pay the bills."
ilman's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful collection of inspirational letters to "a young writer" from Colum McCann. McCann is not interested in teaching you the hidden secrets of writing majestically. He states that there are no secrets. McCann makes it clear to the reader that he can "teach you nothing."
Instead each page is filled with practical and philosophical recommendations and many of them are quite moving, meditative and philosophical. Overall, I found this book inspirational and I will be returning to it in the future; especially when I've fallen in a writing slump. Letters to a Young Writer does not teach you how to write. It inspires you to write.
Instead each page is filled with practical and philosophical recommendations and many of them are quite moving, meditative and philosophical. Overall, I found this book inspirational and I will be returning to it in the future; especially when I've fallen in a writing slump. Letters to a Young Writer does not teach you how to write. It inspires you to write.
vickiefromtaiwan's review against another edition
5.0
Read on kindle, but would happily acquire a physical copy of this for my bookshelf.
cariashley's review against another edition
4.0
When I was invited to review this book on NetGalley, my first thought was that I am not the intended audience. I am emphatically a reader and not a writer; I don't really want to see how the sausage is made, I just want to devour it. That being said, like any serious reader I've harbored secret dreams of writing my own masterpiece now and then, but I'm realistic and know that's probably not going to happen for a multitude of reasons.
You're in such good hands with McCann though no matter what the topic, and this collection was damn useful. The "letters" are brief and to the point with tons of quotable lines - I'd love to include some here but will refrain given this was an ARC. I actually felt a lot of the advice was just as prevalent for writing work emails as writing a novel. While i'm still under no illusions about my own ability to write a book, reading this lifted the veil of mystery from the process in such a positive and practical way that it left me feeling that maybe it wasn't entirely out of the question.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the early review copy.
You're in such good hands with McCann though no matter what the topic, and this collection was damn useful. The "letters" are brief and to the point with tons of quotable lines - I'd love to include some here but will refrain given this was an ARC. I actually felt a lot of the advice was just as prevalent for writing work emails as writing a novel. While i'm still under no illusions about my own ability to write a book, reading this lifted the veil of mystery from the process in such a positive and practical way that it left me feeling that maybe it wasn't entirely out of the question.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the early review copy.
janinaloveletters's review
5.0
As a young writer myself, I loved it! Exactly what I needed to read. No BS, just the truth, written with lots of love for other writers. Good advice from a heartfelt voice, quick and easy to read and perfect to motivate you when you feel like giving up. Thank you! ❤️
aj_x416's review against another edition
3.0
Much exhortation to be the best (writer) you can be. Which is a fine thing, if not exactly illuminating.