How fiction works james wood book

He is the author of how fiction works, as well as two essay collections, the broken estate and the irresponsible self, and a novel, the book against god. Book purchased for studying and as a reference guide. James wood ranges widely, from homer to make way for ducklings, from the bible to john le carre, and his book is both a study of the techniques of fiction making and an alternative history of the novel. The list was offered as a mild corrective, an exercise wood considered amusing.

James wood books list of books by author james wood. James wood draws references from many different books and breaks everything down to varying levels of analysis to have a look at what makes fiction fiction. Aug 17, 2008 wood seems firm in his conviction that accounting for how fiction works neednt involve bewildering digressions into why writers write or why readers read. Forsters aspects of the novel and milan kunderas the art of the novel, how fiction works is a scintillating study of the magic of fictionan analysis of its main elements and a celebration of its lasting power. Aug, 2008 by the novelist, auden means the realistic novelist, perhaps someone like his friend christopher isherwood. How fiction works tenth anniversary edition james wood. James wood has 157 books on goodreads with 78892 ratings. Wood contends that few books have appeared that consider how fiction works after the publication in 1927 of e. This oldfashioned primer on literature from the esteemed critic james wood concentrates on the art of the novel. The essence of the lesson, and it is hard to do it justice in a few sentences, is that excellent contemporary fiction differs from its predecessors in that it the authors presence is entirely. He is the author of how fiction works, as well as two essay collections, the broken estate and the irresponsible self, and a novel, the book. Forsters aspects of the novel which wood considers imprecise and of three.

At some point in the past decade, james wood became the most. By the novelist, auden means the realistic novelist, perhaps someone like his friend christopher isherwood. How fiction works belongs to the upper shelf of what is turning into a very considerable critical subgenre. These are some of the questions james wood answers in how fiction works, the first book length essay by the preeminent critic of his generation. Wood ranges widely, from homer to beatrix potter, from the bible to john le carre, and his book is both a study of the techniques of fictionmaking and an alternative history of the novel. The way book coverage works these days, everyone talks about the same book for about two or three weeks, and then they move on and the book is more. How fiction works by james wood and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Playful and profound, how fiction works will be enlightening to writers, readers, and anyone else interested in what happens on the page. James woods how fiction works makes a passionate case for the novel, arguing that it puts other forms of creative writing firmly in the shade. Following the broken estate, the irresponsible self, and how fiction works books that established james wood as the leading critic of his generationthe fun stuff confirms wood s preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an appreciator of the contemporary novel. Adopting an enthusiasts approach, the author examines classic and contemporary aesthetic choices, citing the works of several dozen favorite. Apr 21, 2009 these are some of the questions james wood answers in how fiction works, the first book length essay by the preeminent critic of his generation.

Jul 22, 2008 these are some of the questions james wood answers in how fiction works, the first book length essay by the preeminent critic of his generation. Playful and profound, it incisively sums up two decades of bold, often controversial, and now classic critical work, and will be enlightening to writers. Ranging widely from homer to david foster wallace, from what maisie knew to make way for ducklings, wood takes the listener through the basic elements of the art, step by step. A students small leap into the study of fiction, analyzing its. Playful and profound, how fiction works will be a revelation to writers, readers, and anyone interested in the magic of a written story. Ranging widelyfrom homer to david foster wallace, from what maisie knew to make way for ducklings wood takes the reader through the basic elements of the art, step by step. I came to james woods how fiction works after years of consulting harold bloom for my literary opinions, and so what wood calls this little book was for me revelatory. Jul 22, 2008 how fiction works is also, although more tacitly, a defense of woods most controversial position as a critic. Wood is able to clearly and intelligently explain just why it is important that these works are read, and shows the benefits of careful, attentive reading. James wood has been a staff writer and book critic at the new yorker since 2007. He was a senior editor at the new republic between 1995 and 2007.

Back in 1994, prompted by harold blooms the western canon, james wood presented guardian readers with his own list of the best british and american writing since 1945. James douglas graham wood born 1 november 1965 is an english literary critic, essayist and novelist wood was the guardian s chief literary critic between 1992 and 1995. As of 2014, he is professor of the practice of literary criticism at harvard university and a staff writer at the new yorker magazine. How fiction works, by james wood new york magazine. How fiction works is a fascinating theoretical book that should be read by anyone interesting in literature, linguistics and the foundations underlying creative writing itself.

Mar 12, 2020 james wood ranges widely, from homer to make way for ducklings, from the bible to john le carre, and his book is both a study of the techniques of fictionmaking and an alternative history of the novel. A deep, practical anatomy of the novel from the strongest. Wood seems firm in his conviction that accounting for how fiction works neednt involve bewildering digressions into why writers write or. Sean dorrance kelly james wood, the sincere, somewhat oldfashioned, unpretentious yet highminded new yorker literary critic, spoke at the harvard book store recently about his new book, how fiction works. At some point in the past decade, james wood became the most admired youngish fiction critic working in english. James woods most popular book is how fiction works. Bloom is at once the most demanding and naive of readers. How fiction works by james wood, 9780312428471, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Ranging widelyfrom homer to david foster wallace, from what maisie knew to make way for ducklingswood takes the reader through the basic elements of the art, step by step. How fiction works, by james wood new york magazine book. Raging widely from homer to david foster wallace, from what maisie knew to make way for ducklings, woods takes the reader through the basic elements of the art of fiction, stepbystep. See all books authored by james wood, including how fiction works, and the broken estate.

How fiction works by james wood, 9781845950934, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. James wood s most popular book is how fiction works. Wood was the guardian s chief literary critic between 1992 and 1995. These are some of the questions james wood answers in how fiction works, the first booklength essay by the preeminent critic of his. The first chapter, titled narrating, contains critically important information for the fiction writer. Forsters aspects of the novel which wood considers imprecise and of.

Previously he taught literature with saul bellow at boston university and, in 1994, served as a judge for the booker prize. The last third of the book presents the culmination of how fiction works. James douglas graham wood born 1 november 1965 is an english literary critic, essayist and novelist. How fiction works by james wood nook book ebook barnes. How fiction works by james wood books the guardian. How fiction works is also, although more tacitly, a defense of woods most controversial position as a critic. James wood ranges widely, from homer to make way for ducklings, from the bible to john le carre, and his book is both a study of the techniques of fictionmaking and an alternative history of the novel.

Feb 07, 2008 how fiction works is a fascinating theoretical book that should be read by anyone interesting in literature, linguistics and the foundations underlying creative writing itself. Buy how fiction works book online at low prices in india. He is the author of how fiction works, several essay collections, and the novel the book against god james adams is one of the worlds leading. He is the author of how fiction works, several essay collections, and the novel the book against god. James wood is a staff writer at the new yorker and professor of the practice of literary criticism at harvard university. Wood ranges widely, from homer to make way for ducklings, the bible to john le carre, and his book is both a study of the techniques of fictionmaking and an alternative history of the novel.

James wood is a staff writer at the new yorker and a visiting lecturer in english and american literature at harvard. How fiction works by james wood penguin books australia. Eight years ago, in an essay in the new republic, wood dismayed several of the best. How fiction works by wood, james, 1965publication date 2008 topics fiction publisher new york.