Reviews

The Art of Fiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers by Ayn Rand, Tore Boeckmann, Leonard Peikoff

blueflatfoot's review against another edition

5.0

One of the two most insightful books ever written for readers and writers of fiction. The second is "The Romantic Manifesto," also by Ayn Rand.

suyogketkar's review against another edition

5.0

The book contains a detailed analysis of numerous works and authors. For this reason alone, I will suggest this book to anyone who wants to write. (A part of me knows we all do!)

momus_saytr's review against another edition

5.0

One of the two most insightful books ever written for readers and writers of fiction. The second is "The Romantic Manifesto," also by Ayn Rand.

taborszki's review against another edition

2.0

I like Rand so I wasn't coming to this book with that frothing hostility that leftists tend to display but this was such massive waste of time, probably the worst book on writing I've ever read and I've read over 30 at this point. Trying to combine writing advice with general philosophy, it dabbles in both but does not dive deep enough in either. Not technical enough where it should be and too specific when abstraction would suffice. Too long irrelevant quotes as examples when none is needed if the explanation of the technique is sufficient. It feels like a stream of consciousness instead of a systemic presentation of the subject. I was really hoping for more from Rand; maybe her Romantic Manifesto will be better.

rheckner's review against another edition

3.0

This book essentially applies the aesthetic ideas presented in The Romantic Manifesto to fiction writing. It is an interesting book if (and only if) you are interested in Rand's views on aesthetics (note, I wrote interested not "agree with"). Overall, the book is what I expected it to be having read RM.

annapurchase's review against another edition

1.0

this seemed more an excuse to brag about her greatness and tear down other authors than actually teach - perhaps one day i will read atlas shrugged just to rate it a one star, suck on that ayn rand.

sandylender's review

5.0

Terry Goodkind told me to buy and read this book.
So I did.
Now I recommend other writers do the same.
Period.

achromous's review

4.0

Interesting to see an author explain why they made the choices they did and to defend their overall views on literature.

raehink's review

4.0

I really don't care for Ayn Rand or her ideologies. That being said, I managed to end up loving this book. Yes, Rand is opinionated to the max, but there's good information about the craft of writing to be found here. She gave me a lot to think about and I will be a better reader now.