Good Prose: The Art Of Nonfiction (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway, with no prior introduction to the work of Tracy Kidder. Maybe that is the wrong order in which to read a reflective work, which is what this seemed to be. I was initially hoping for more of reference-type, self-help book--more the modern "Elements of Style" that is was advertised as, and though there was some helpful writing information, it was embedded inside a writing memoir, which, at times, made learning a dissective process. And, because I am not familiar with the writer or the editor and so not already in awe of, what many have described as brilliant talent, I actually found the memoir cast a negative light on a man who seemed to me written as egotistic, irresponsible and, unfortunately, personally unimpressive. This disinterest caused me to read the book in tiny chunks over a long period of time, which is less effective, in any case.Still, because I now own the book, I will be able to go back and mark the writing insights that I did find helpful and do feel a curiosity in reading some of Kidder's journalistic work, so I still think this journey wasn't a total loss. After 40 years as collaborators, writer Tracy Kidder and editor Richard Todd, who first met at The Atlantic, impart their professional wisdom. For a book on the art of shaping writing, it takes a strange editorial turn: two thirds of the book is instruction, while the final section is a long memoir of their friendship. The book's wisdom is welcome, particularly Todd's, but the whole thing would have played better in the latter mode, as the biography of a bond.
What do You think about Good Prose: The Art Of Nonfiction (2013)?
Insightful, full of sage advice, and frequently entertaining.
—lynseu
Some boring-ish parts, but a lot of good insights.
—Jade
