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A review by dwcofer
The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art by Joyce Carol Oates
1.0
This book is simply a collection of essays written by Oates in the past, published in various other publications, and assembled for this book. I was under the impression the book was filled with writerly advice and insights, penned by Oates specifically for a single publication. However, the opposite is the case. These essays were haphazardly congregated and placed in the book simply to put out a new book for money.
The book contains no thoughts on the subjects suggested by the chapter headings. I was eagerly anticipating the reading of the chapter called “Reading As A Writer: The Artist As A Craftsman.” I was expecting advice to writers on how and what to read to improve as a writer. There was none. The chapter contained a few examples showing the influence of past writers on subsequent writers. A disappointing chapter, to say the least.
Many of the essays are written in a stream of conscious mode that ramble and make little, if any, sense. For example, please explain to me what is meant by “The sense of subterranean meanings beneath public discourse.” (37) I have no idea what Oates is trying to say. In another essay she says Moby Dick is “arguably the most powerful American novel of the nineteenth century, if not of the twentieth as well.” (95-9) Really? Moby Dick the most powerful novel of the past two centuries? This conclusion astonishes me. I feel certain Oates is well read, but this comment makes me wonder if she daydreams while she reads.
The book is a total waste of time and money. I am only glad it is about 150 so I did not waste more time in the reading.
The book contains no thoughts on the subjects suggested by the chapter headings. I was eagerly anticipating the reading of the chapter called “Reading As A Writer: The Artist As A Craftsman.” I was expecting advice to writers on how and what to read to improve as a writer. There was none. The chapter contained a few examples showing the influence of past writers on subsequent writers. A disappointing chapter, to say the least.
Many of the essays are written in a stream of conscious mode that ramble and make little, if any, sense. For example, please explain to me what is meant by “The sense of subterranean meanings beneath public discourse.” (37) I have no idea what Oates is trying to say. In another essay she says Moby Dick is “arguably the most powerful American novel of the nineteenth century, if not of the twentieth as well.” (95-9) Really? Moby Dick the most powerful novel of the past two centuries? This conclusion astonishes me. I feel certain Oates is well read, but this comment makes me wonder if she daydreams while she reads.
The book is a total waste of time and money. I am only glad it is about 150 so I did not waste more time in the reading.