leeravenn's review against another edition
5.0
Full review here: https://wp.me/pcl4ok-pj
(According to George) the first step towards writing is simply sitting down and doing it. After reading A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, I will admit that my fear of inaction is greater than my fear of perfectionism. I have never felt on par with literary critics or native speakers—I doubt I will ever articulate my opinions as eloquently, yet Saunders has presented me with a remarkable concept on how to demystify criticism: it all begins with a reaction. How does a story make us feel? Eventually, we might as well hope to develop our ability to express these emotions.
So, how did A Swim in a Pond in the Rain make me feel?
Like returning to a place my brain had long forgotten about. For a moment, I was back in a classroom listening to someone walk me through a story. A story creeps through your mind and, some way or the other, it takes hold of you for a long time afterward. Saunders has helped me recognize (at least part of) why this happens, and that has inevitably led to a better, broader understanding of fiction. Assisted by a selection of stories by some of the greatest Russian writers, Saunders’s literary analyses act as a bridge to something much deeper than noticing patterns within a story. Essentially, it exposes how readers react to age-old questions, how our human mind changes during a story, and what remains afterward.
(According to George) the first step towards writing is simply sitting down and doing it. After reading A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, I will admit that my fear of inaction is greater than my fear of perfectionism. I have never felt on par with literary critics or native speakers—I doubt I will ever articulate my opinions as eloquently, yet Saunders has presented me with a remarkable concept on how to demystify criticism: it all begins with a reaction. How does a story make us feel? Eventually, we might as well hope to develop our ability to express these emotions.
So, how did A Swim in a Pond in the Rain make me feel?
Like returning to a place my brain had long forgotten about. For a moment, I was back in a classroom listening to someone walk me through a story. A story creeps through your mind and, some way or the other, it takes hold of you for a long time afterward. Saunders has helped me recognize (at least part of) why this happens, and that has inevitably led to a better, broader understanding of fiction. Assisted by a selection of stories by some of the greatest Russian writers, Saunders’s literary analyses act as a bridge to something much deeper than noticing patterns within a story. Essentially, it exposes how readers react to age-old questions, how our human mind changes during a story, and what remains afterward.
gabitheaustrian's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
bravelass85's review against another edition
5.0
This book is like being in a book club with a super smart, wry guy (who also loves Russian short stories). A joy!
myc_w's review against another edition
4.0
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is part master class in creative writing and part exercise in literary criticism. Saunders’ explorations of Russian short stories and their relationship to the craft are nothing short of amazing—though fair warning to readers, the book is an annotated collection of short stories by Russian authors and doesn’t offer any of Saunders’ typically charming narratives. I’m not the really biggest fan of Russian lit—yet, I found most of the stories that Saunders selected to be enjoyable, particularly the Tolstoy stories (“Master and Man” and “Alyosha the Pot”) and the Turgenev story (“The Singers”).
In addition to his thoughts and analyses, Saunders provides several exercises that seem incredible useful, and will definitely be something that I come back to in the future.
Overall, this collection is delightfully written, thought provoking, and useful. One of the best popular works of literary criticism I’ve come across—and as a primer on writing as a craft, definitely an accessible and useful tool.
For readers that are interested in Russian fiction, short stories, or literary criticism, this is a great choice. For aspiring writers, a can’t miss option. Definitely recommended.
In addition to his thoughts and analyses, Saunders provides several exercises that seem incredible useful, and will definitely be something that I come back to in the future.
Overall, this collection is delightfully written, thought provoking, and useful. One of the best popular works of literary criticism I’ve come across—and as a primer on writing as a craft, definitely an accessible and useful tool.
For readers that are interested in Russian fiction, short stories, or literary criticism, this is a great choice. For aspiring writers, a can’t miss option. Definitely recommended.
meganpbell's review against another edition
5.0
One Booker Prize-winning author, four titans of Russian literature, and seven celebrity narrators await you in the audiobook edition of an MFA class George Saunders has been teaching at Syracuse University for the past 20 years! I can’t decide what I loved more—the stories narrated by Nick Offerman, Glenn Close, Rainn Wilson, and Renee Elise Goldsberry or the rich, warm, life-affirming, and soul-stirring analysis and advice by George Saunders.
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joshsimp's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
5.0