The Art of Fiction: Illustrated from Classic and Modern Texts

Unfortunately, I was never able to take very many literature classes in university, and as a result, I have always felt that Literature was my Achilles Heel. Well, recently I have began writing some fiction of my own and I was looking for a concise, read-able pocket guide to literary concepts. This book definitely delivers all that. Written originally as series of articles for The Independent, Lodge begins each chapter with... Read Full Review

"The Art of Fiction", not surprisingly, is a popular title. In addition to this entry by David Lodge, identically titled works (albeit with different sub-titles after the seemingly ubiquitous colon) are available from John Gardner and Ayn Rand (in her case, one more example I suppose that "art" is in the eye of the beholder). I gather that the Gardner and Rand volumes are along the lines of "how-to" manuals for aspiring... Read Full Review

"The Art of Fiction", not surprisingly, is a popular title. In addition to this entry by David Lodge, identically entitled works (albeit with different sub-titles after the seemingly ubiquitous colon) are available from John Gardner and Ayn Rand (in her case, one more example I suppose that "art" is in the eye of the beholder). I gather that the Gardner and Rand volumes are along the lines of "how-to" manuals for aspiring... Read Full Review

I discovered this book 3 or 4 years ago and have read it at least three times -- parts of it more often than that. I use it as one of several texts in creative writing workshops. Lodge's essays are witty, engaging and smart, and the brief excerpts at the beginning of each chapter are wonderful for "mirroring" exercises. My students enjoy the book as much as I do, and all seem to learn quite a bit from it.

This book offers a highly digestible introduction to how fiction works and tempts the reader with some great exerpts from (modern) classics. It's also a nice opportunity to look at literature through the eyes of a professional, both at studying and practicing writing.