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A review by pattydsf
The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art by Joyce Carol Oates
3.0
“I have to tell is the writer’s first thoughts; the second thought is How do I tell it? From our reading, we discover how various the solutions to these questions are; how stamped with an individual’s personality. For it’s at the junction of private vision and the wish to create a communal, public vision that art and craft merge.” p. 126
I have not read anything by Oates in at least a decade. I liked what I have read, but I am overwhelmed by the volume of her writing. When a new Oates book comes out, I usually think about reading it, but there are other authors who I have never read. This book crossed my path and I decided it was time to read Oates again.
I did not know that Oates is an atheist. So, to be honest, I thought these essays were about faith in God. However, it is very clear in the first short essay that Oates’ faith is in art not God. She writes, “I believe that art is the highest expression of the human spirit.” p. 1. Once I had read that, I knew this book would not be about religious faith.
Maybe because I started with the wrong assumption, I found myself slogging through this book. The writing is excellent, but Oates is writing for those who might want to write themselves. Except for book reviews and my personal journal, I have no desire to put pen to paper. So much of what she says did not interest me.
I don’t know why I kept reading, but when I go to the essay titled “Reading as a Writer,” I knew that I had found something of interest. Even though I don’t want to write, I am fascinated by why people read. Reading what Oates feels is important for writers to read, gave me insights to the act of reading. That essay made this book worthwhile.
Although this was not my favorite read, I do feel there are people who would want to pick this up. Those who aspire to write should read some of the essays, especially the one mentioned above.
I have not read anything by Oates in at least a decade. I liked what I have read, but I am overwhelmed by the volume of her writing. When a new Oates book comes out, I usually think about reading it, but there are other authors who I have never read. This book crossed my path and I decided it was time to read Oates again.
I did not know that Oates is an atheist. So, to be honest, I thought these essays were about faith in God. However, it is very clear in the first short essay that Oates’ faith is in art not God. She writes, “I believe that art is the highest expression of the human spirit.” p. 1. Once I had read that, I knew this book would not be about religious faith.
Maybe because I started with the wrong assumption, I found myself slogging through this book. The writing is excellent, but Oates is writing for those who might want to write themselves. Except for book reviews and my personal journal, I have no desire to put pen to paper. So much of what she says did not interest me.
I don’t know why I kept reading, but when I go to the essay titled “Reading as a Writer,” I knew that I had found something of interest. Even though I don’t want to write, I am fascinated by why people read. Reading what Oates feels is important for writers to read, gave me insights to the act of reading. That essay made this book worthwhile.
Although this was not my favorite read, I do feel there are people who would want to pick this up. Those who aspire to write should read some of the essays, especially the one mentioned above.