Scan barcode
A review by annemariewellswriter
The Art of Nonfiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers by Ayn Rand
1.0
It took me a long time to get through this book mostly because, and I didn't know this before, Ayn Rand is kind of a dick.
In one breath, she advises writers to not use pejorative language and to be polite with their words if they are writing a review of a work with which they disagree. In the next breath, she accuses liberal writers of using confusing language in order to hide their evil beliefs that support dictatorship. She belittles individuals who use marijuana. She gives examples of other writers' work and then says why it isn't good writing, in very impolite ways.
This book was put together after Rand's death from notes from workshops and classes she organized. Based on the examples used, and the way the book is structured, it does not appear that Rand wanted to help anyone. It appears she wanted to further inflate her own ego. It was difficult for me to get past her self-indulgence to find helpful tidbits that are found in practically every other writing guide I've ever read.
Lastly, she wrote that you shouldn't attempt to write on a subject that you do not know about, but she clearly did not understand poetry since she wrote "Poems without rhymes are neither prose nor poetry. They are nothing." No, Ayn Rand. Just, no.
In one breath, she advises writers to not use pejorative language and to be polite with their words if they are writing a review of a work with which they disagree. In the next breath, she accuses liberal writers of using confusing language in order to hide their evil beliefs that support dictatorship. She belittles individuals who use marijuana. She gives examples of other writers' work and then says why it isn't good writing, in very impolite ways.
This book was put together after Rand's death from notes from workshops and classes she organized. Based on the examples used, and the way the book is structured, it does not appear that Rand wanted to help anyone. It appears she wanted to further inflate her own ego. It was difficult for me to get past her self-indulgence to find helpful tidbits that are found in practically every other writing guide I've ever read.
Lastly, she wrote that you shouldn't attempt to write on a subject that you do not know about, but she clearly did not understand poetry since she wrote "Poems without rhymes are neither prose nor poetry. They are nothing." No, Ayn Rand. Just, no.