A literary apprenticeship in eleven letters, by the internationally acclaimed master of the novel In the tradition of Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet, Mario Vargas Llosa condenses a lifetime of writing, reading, and thought into an essential manual for aspiring writers, revealing in the process his deepest beliefs about our common literary endeavor. A writer, in his view, is a being seized by an insatiable appetite for creation, a rebel, and a dreamer. But dreams, when set down on paper, require disciplined development, and so Vargas Llosa undertakes to supply the tools of transformation. Drawing on the stories and novels of writers from around the globe -- Borges, Bierce, Céline, Cortázar, Faulkner, Kafka, Robbe-Grillet -- he lays bare the inner workings of fiction, examining time, space, style, and structure, all the while urging young novelists not to lose touch with the elemental urge to create. Conversational, eloquent, and effortlessly erudite, this little book is destined to be read and reread by young writers, old writers, would-be writers, and all those with a stake in the world of letters.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
It's Genius AND a Cure for Insomnia to Boot:
This was summer reading for my junior year of high school IB English. It's a true brain bender. It is a work of fiction, in epistolary form (letters), from an established author to a young man who has been writing asking for novel-writing advice. I saw that someone tagged this as non-fiction. No it is FICTION. The jaw-dropping reason for this is below. If you think this is a guide you could easily use in your own writing exploits, think again! Only a true academic-writer-snob would even attempt that.... more info
good advice but a bit much for a "young" novelist:
The introduction leads one to believe this is geared toward a fourteen or fifteen year old potential writer. God knows it would have flown over my head at any time before my mid-twenties - both the intellectual discussions presented and the literary references made. It still shown a bright blazing light at my near complete ignorance of Spanish and Latin American novelists. But taken in the sense of "young" meaning "beginning" novelist, it was a good read with a lot of interesting viewpoints on the... more info
Entertaining but forgettable:
These short essays examine various literary techniques in detail but are ultimately unhelpful in writing (or reading) fiction. While discussing narrative options available to the writer, we never are offered advice of why different techniques work or when they might work. Or even how different authors make them work (except for one or two examples in the final chapters). There is only the indefinable je ne sais quoi. The book is very well written, witty and it is interesting to see the list of the works... more info
Essential Companion:
Reading Mario Vargas Llosa's works of literature is one of the best experiences a reader can have. In "Letters to a Young Novelist" Vargas Llosa shares the name of authors that have shaped his life as a writer, along with his personal insight on narrative techniques, and an unconditional love for the written word. Each chapter presents valuable information for anyone interested in the art of writing or for anyone who enjoys reading a well-written book.
Customer Review: I too could not stomach finishing this book. The maudlin style reminded me of a similar over-rated piece "The Bridges of Madison County". If that was your thing, go ahead...It is not mine! A ridiculous "romp" through foreign countries with a "money is no object" theme. "Oh,which man shall choose?"... more info
Customer Review: I ordered this book a month in advance of my progam need and NEVER RECEIVED IT! I made more than 3 attempts to contact the vendor and never received a reply nor an acknowledgement. I will no longer order from AMAZON as a result.
Customer Review: Kaplan's "Sharp Writing" is a practical overview of grammar and usage, but is quite basic. If you are looking for a book that will provide you with more "Style" advice than grammar, I would recommend Style: Toward Clarity and Grace (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing). I would... more info
Customer Review: The book is generally poorly written. It is extremely colloquial, and thus could be of use for teaching younger students. However, for an educated audience (college level), it is extremely weak and close to useless. I was assigned this book for an introductory writing course at my college and was... more info
Customer Review: Had Twain stopped after the first section, in which he describes riverboat piloting and his exploits therein, I would have come away with a positive impression of the book. His piloting writings were entertaining and interesting, even though not particularly relevant in today's world. However... more info
Customer Review: I was mildly amused at first, but as the novel bogged down halfway through, I couldn't help but wonder if there was ever going to be an ending? What trivial and boring lives Austen satirized. Yes, this is satire, but it is not high satire. It's barely noticeable satire. I finally put the book aside,... more info
Customer Review: I had to buy this for my honors thesis course in college, but ended up never having to use it. You could easily find anything useful in this book for free online. This book was too long and too expensive.
Customer Review: This seems to be a pretty comprehensive guide to English grammar which is to the point. There are plenty of useful examples and it covers common mistakes as well as how to write and speak clearly. Best of all it's free. What's not to like?
Customer Review: Our order was scheduled for 24 hour delivery. It disappeared. Called Mon. about Thursday's shipment. (Fri. due date.) I was told I could get a replacement by talking to someone at the end of the day. Replacement was sent without an additional call. (Thanks!) Product arrived Wed. evening.
Customer Review: My daughter had to read this book over the summer for a grade in her Honors English class. I liked the fact that it was cheap, but on the other hand, what I paid for shipping I could have went ahead and purchased it out of the store. I wasn't to thrilled about that!
Customer Review: Research is most definitely a craft and as with all research books, there is a great deal written about scientific research and medical research. Generic research guides do little to offer help to Musicological research. Yet this is a helpful resource tool if taken generically.
Customer Review: Great job! I ordered a total of three books with my order. I paid extra fees for quick shipping, but not for this book. However, this book arrived first.
Customer Review: Gave this seller a poor review for slow shipping and a book in poor condition. Happy to report that they quickly responded to my complaint email and issued me a refund.
Customer Review: It was not the book advertised--close, it was the red dot 2009 MLA updates but no APA updates. My professor said it will work--but really need updated version. Need to be careful you are getting the right product. I did not realize it was the wrong one until my professor said it does not have the... more info
Customer Review: where to bloody begin.... ah.. in my junior year i and everyone else in class was forced to read the book and watch the horrible origanal slow and boring movie. after we got done with it almost everyone in the whole dang room yelled out that it suck, right at the same time. both this and the great... more info
Customer Review: This book is a must have for anyone attending college that has to write papers. It will guide you through citing your references correctly. I would have been lost without it. I was happy that this book was cheaper on Amazon versus our bookstore, and other retailers in the area.
Customer Review: This is the classic book on how to write. If you've already read it, you don't need me to tell you how good it is. If you haven't, then stop reading this review and go get it--either online for free or in an inexpensive paper version. I'll just suggest three books to back it up on your shelf. Strunk... more info
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