isheekagoswami's review against another edition
3.0
Some inspiring, thought provoking pieces in here. There were also a couple of meandering pieces, and I feel particularly sorry for the people who had to listen to the Marilynne Robinson talk - I couldn't even finish reading it.
sawyerbell's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed bag but the essays by Atwood, Winterson, LeGuin and Doctorow were all good.
teaandbooklover's review against another edition
3.0
The only thing in this book that spoke to me was the essay from Ursula Le Guin. Otherwise, meh.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
These essays on the writing process and the nature of inspiration are a kind of hit and miss affair. I love the essays by Le Guin and Doctorow. The essay by Russell Banks is also a pleasant surprise.
senid's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of essays by well known writers. The collection is a bit uneven, but a number of my favorite authors are here. Margaret Atwood, Ursula K Le Guin, and Jeanette Winterson are all fascinating. I especially enjoyed the essay by Chimamanda Adichie who is an author I have not read yet. Well worth a read or skim for the essays and authors you love.
purplemoonmyst's review
5.0
My Review:
I have always been fascinated with writers and their writing process. When I read a story I often wonder what went through the writers minds while they were composing. As readers we often glean what we think the writers meant. Are they making a political statement? What hidden meanings are underlying the words that are on the page?
The World Split Open is a book of essays by different writers. In this book they talk about the writing process and how they get their ideas among many other things. This book had some of my favorite writers in it and I was super excited to get a "look behind the scenes" so to speak. One writer who I was sure wrote her book to make a political statement said that she was surprised when people took her book that way. That she was just making up a story based on events that fascinated her. I was somewhat taken aback by this but it makes sense. Writers dont always set out to make any kind of statement but rather to make sense of things in their world.
There are many authors represented here covering a multitude of topics ranging from feminism to handling criticism and such. I found a lot of useful information in this book. We don't often see authors as humans with feelings but this book brings to life the whole picture of authors.
This review was originally posted on Adventures in Never Never Land
audrarussellwrites's review
3.0
I read books on the craft of writing a lot since I am on the road to publication. This is a book of lectures these authors gave.
Unfortunately, it didn't move me much. I did, however, find the lecture by Edward P. Jones very interesting.
I'm glad I got this from the library and didn't buy. Hate to say it, but it was disappointing.
Unfortunately, it didn't move me much. I did, however, find the lecture by Edward P. Jones very interesting.
I'm glad I got this from the library and didn't buy. Hate to say it, but it was disappointing.
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