Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them of Prose, Francine on 31 May 2012 Paperback – May 31, 2012

This book, which is both humorous and on point, is perhaps the best book that I've read about writing. Prose refuses to set down any hard and fast rules, knowing that the best stories flout them, but continues to offer her advice in a piecemeal, by example sort of way. Her list of books at the end of Reading Like a Writer, and her insistence on reading and doing so carefully, helps us remember why we want to write in the first place. Rarely have I read through a book like this so quickly, or am I so eager to do so again.

In the added material at the back of READING LIKE A WRITER by Francine Prose, the book is described as "like Harold Bloom, but written by and for human beings." I think that is a fair description. This isn't the most exciting or compelling book, but it is less dry than Bloom. And it does have moments of great beauty.You can break Prose's book is really two books: in one part, she teaches people how to read a book in such a way as to enjoy the pleasure of the language; in the second part, she teaches writers how to improve their writing-to make every word earn its place.In the first part,Prose teaches you how to break down a piece of fiction to the smallest pieces and then appreciate how those pieces are built up into a large, wonderful structure: the novel. Once you appreciate that, and can read with an eye that appreciates that beauty, taking your time, and savoring the author's ability.In the second part, Prose confronts a lot of "rules" about writing, knocking them down with powerful examples. What you are left with is probably Prose's chief rule: it's about finding an original voice. If a writer can focus on interesting word choice, groundbreaking detail, and contrarian paths, they can surprise readers in a wonderful way. Finally, she concludes with a list of 100 books that should be read immediately.This book probably appeals to a small group of writers and word nerds. If you fall within that group, you can probably put this book to use, even if it is a bit dry.

I am becoming more thrifty about book purchases and how many pairs of shoes I own, and more aware of how much pie I eat and going outside in any weather conditions. Francine Prose's book taught me new things, reminded me of things I knew but had forgotten, and also reinforced my best writing habits as I work on my novel-in-progress, THREAD. I am jealous that her last name is Prose! A little joke. This book allows readers and writers to understand their romance with words and stories, observation and creation. I checked it out at my local library, but I had to have it as a constant companion in my house--the way I keep good tea, favorite photos and friends nearby.

I loved the novel Household Saints and the movie. I was delighted to read this book and for 271 pages I became a critical and analytical student of literature. Ms. Prose used examples of the great literary master such as Tolstoy, Chekov and Maupassant and contemporary writers such as Denis Johnson. Ms. Prose is an astute professor of writing and she spoke of her Utah class and the von Kleist novel The Marquise of O___. It was thrilling to have her explain the students reaction to a classic masterspiece. This book will transport the reader writer to a deeper understanding of the dynamics and structures of fiction and literature.I highly recommend!Julie E.

I found this book to be incredibly helpful. Ms. Prose is clear and accessible, using excellent examples of quality writing and breaking it down into its mechanical parts, without sacrificing the love of the voice of the work. I appreciated the way each chapter was dedicated to a different segment of quality writing. I also appreciated her comparisons to Chekov in the end, showing that even all the principles of good writing she had thus far shared could be chucked in under the right circumstances. A worthy read for anyone interested in becoming a better reader or writer.

If Amazon would let you rate things 4.5 stars, I would rate this 4.5 stars.I was already in the middle of two other books when I started this one. This is the book I kept me wanting to go back and read it to the end. It also made me want to read and reread a bunch of classics. A very pleasant authorial voice and interesting little tidbits on every page. I think it will help my writing a little bit, but mostly you should read this book just for the pleasure of reading this book.Francine Prose wrote about writing so that we can read about reading.

I am a firm believer that a writer is not a writer unless they are a reader first and foremost. This book reiterates this very important premise. It is not written from the standpoint of an intellectual talking down to writers who are having a hard time understanding why their work isn't what they would even enjoy reading themselves. Instead, the author is sharing what seems to be a long lost secret hidden beneath heavy loads of misconceptions brought on by our daily lives, our responsibility to others, and our giving in to the shine of technology. She reminds us writers that we use to love reading and that reading is why we became writers in the first place.

This is a wonderful book. It's the book you wish you'd had for all the rhetoric/comp/writing courses you took in college.Ms. Prose beautifully explains how form is arrived at in writing, starting with word choices, building sentences, constructing paragraphs and chapters - all the formal ingredients of fiction.She explains how character is presented, showing just how much to tell or expose.She gives a crystal-clear explanation, with good examples, of point of view and how it's managed and controlled.The book is written with plenty of humor and humility (there are lots of instances where she laid down a hard-and-fast rule, only to be proved wrong by a student's successful attempt to break the rule). The book comes out of her classroom experience at writers' workshops, and her great success as a published author.There's a good-sized appendix with suggestions of books "to be read immediately."A worthwhile and important book, and fun to read.