How Fiction Works
by James Wood
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Book Reviews of How Fiction Works
Book Review: A critic's defense of traditional realism
Summary: 3 Stars
I had hoped to learn from this book how to read and write fiction better. This is not a good reason to read this book. I learned little. The book is a defense of common literary realism against the attacks of avant garde experimentalists. Wood defends it by interpreting examples drawn from classic traditional novels (Flaubert, Tolstoy,... Bellow, Updike). I found his examples well chosen and expertly interpreted, but if you already understand that good writing involves narration, telling details, vivid characters, sympathy for characters different from you, language that is powerful, economical, and musical, and that literature should give delight as well as truth, you won't learn much. You'll find some great illustrations of writers accomplishing these things well, but if you read fiction, you'll already have your own examples.Book Review: It's The Truth, Not Realism, Stupid!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read parts of this book aloud, it was so impressive. The author gave me more to think about in his short chapters than many a weighty writer's manual. I especially enjoyed the quotations--he even has me going back to read Flaubert and Bellow again. I even caught him in an error: Dickens doesn't liken Uriah Heep's mouth to a post office; it's Mr. Wemmick, whose mouth resembles the slot on a letter box, a marvelous image of impassivity. The book also made me sit back and review my own writing--are the characters flat? Are the details telling? Have I used free indirect style properly? And what about the metaphors? Do they make you see?
A marvelous book, well worth its five stars from this reader.
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
James Wood is one of the clearest, and most insightful of contemporary literature critics. This little volume is an extraordinary little to guide to creative writing from an obviously well read author. Wood privileges the modern realism of Flaubert and Tolstoy over more avant-garde approaches to literature. But nevertheless he is more than balanced in assessing the various perspectives on voice, detail, and character. He often emphasizes the importance of the inner tension between the voice of the author and the voice of the character, and assesses various authors in their successes (Joyce), and failures (Updike) with this perennial question. This is a truly intelligent and well written literary guide.Book Review: Literary Criticism
Summary: 4 Stars
I am enjoying this book, but am not enough of a scholar to give a serious or creditable evaluation. Wood talks about the author's aesthetic distance, and wonders if such a thing is even possible, because all the voices of narration are ultimately the author's voice, and all characters are ultimately aspects of the author as well. He devotes some pages to characters that are either flat, caricatures, or rounded and full. He cites many writers to illustrate, which I enjoy.I haven't finished the book, but I would recommend it to anyone who loves fiction and wants a deeper understanding of the elements that make it either work or not.Book Review: A Literary Critic Who Doesn't Resort to Snobbery
Summary: 4 Stars
I was delighted that James Wood didn't take a condescending attitude about his subject. He doesn't say this is how it should be, but this is how it is and here is why. At first I didn't understand what the hell he was talking about, but somewhere during the second essay I adjusted to his style, became acclimated if you will, and I ended up getting a lot out of it. His examination of language in fiction was my favorite part.
I recommend this for anyone who appreciates an analytical approach to writing technique. This is not a how-to, however. Rather, it is more of a commentary.