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dyslexzak's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
One of the better writing books I’ve read.
The chapters were varied and interesting. A good amount of depth to the topics.
You don’t have to have read any of Kurt Vonnegut to appreciate this.
The chapters were varied and interesting. A good amount of depth to the topics.
You don’t have to have read any of Kurt Vonnegut to appreciate this.
jurgenappelo's review against another edition
2.0
Aptly named as the book is a slog. Far too much quoting and very little actual advice.
kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
4.0
A posthumous Vonnegut publication that is part Kurt and all Suzanne McConnell. A graduate course in creative writing teeming with advice and examples from the man who rewrote the book on creative writing.
Speaking of writing, consider this: when McConnell isn’t writing about writing she is writing about what Vonnegut said and wrote about writing. It occurred to me, as I sat here writing about McConnell writing about Vonnegut writing about writing, that I’ve fallen into something of a wormhole. If, for example, someone were to comment here they would be writing something about my writing about McConnell’s writing about Vonnegut’s writing about writing. Which, paradoxically, brings to mind one of Vonnegut’s cardinal rules of writing: “Avoid repetition.”
Speaking of writing, consider this: when McConnell isn’t writing about writing she is writing about what Vonnegut said and wrote about writing. It occurred to me, as I sat here writing about McConnell writing about Vonnegut writing about writing, that I’ve fallen into something of a wormhole. If, for example, someone were to comment here they would be writing something about my writing about McConnell’s writing about Vonnegut’s writing about writing. Which, paradoxically, brings to mind one of Vonnegut’s cardinal rules of writing: “Avoid repetition.”
tsuntsun's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Lovely
caitlin_leach's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
rpearcemoses's review against another edition
3.0
Some good insights on writing, but I really question Vonnegut being listed as an author. It's filled with his ideas and many, many bits and pieces. Ultimately, though, the book is an assemblage by Suzanne McConnell. She was a student and friend of Vonnegut. She was asked to write it by the Vonnegut Trust, so there's a certain authority here. Still, the books statement of responsibility seems a bit misleading.
Weird design with huge swashes between sections.
Weird design with huge swashes between sections.
alexrobinsonsupergenius's review against another edition
4.0
A bit misleading since it’s more a book about Vonnegut’s tips for writers than a proper book by him, but still an entertaining and thoughtful read.
gracereadssmut's review against another edition
3.0
This craft book was harder for me to get through than other recent reads. There is good writing advice inside but you have to sift through a lot of personal anecdotes and novel excerpts to get to it, which I found to be distracting rather than enlightening. Maybe I just need to read more Vonnegut to appreciate this book.
gijs's review against another edition
3.0
A wide and extensive sampling of Vonnegut’s oeuvre by one of his students, with a focus on his teaching style (and substance). An agreeable compilation but nothing that you can’t cobble together from available sources.