Bienvenidos, fellow travelers,
I’m catching up on a backlog of books I’ve read this year that I want to review. Today I posted my reflections upon A Swim in the Pond in the Rain. I consider this book a love letter to classic Russian short story writers, the art of writing itself, creative writing classes, and above all those who aspire to learn more about reading and writing.
An excerpt is below the fold; you can read my full review on my business website.
Ultreia et suseia!
P.S. - I am still working out how to incorporate the various places where I live online; thank you for bearing with me in this season of remodeling.
Recommendations are strange creatures.
We encounter them everywhere and yet no two are alike. They come in a wide variety of packaging. Advice, advertisements, best practices, SOPs. Directions on a map. A recipe for chicken parmesan. Forms of discipline. Dare I say a code of conduct or a law is a recommendation? Definitely books on reading and writing.
Most of what I read I discover by recommendation, and this captivating intro to classic Russian short stories cum creative writing course follows that pattern. I absolutely loved the story/discussion format and Saunders keen insights and collegial tone. On a nostalgic level, I reveled in how this book transported me back to the graduate creative writing class experience. (Actually, this book was better than some of the graduate classes I misspent dollars on.) But this book delivers so much more than nostalgia.
I first heard of A Swim in an online happy hour for editors, during which a peer sang the praises of this book and of Saunders in general.
The title immediately captivated me but I did not move to discover the book right away. In fact, the first time I checked it out from the library I renewed it repeatedly before finally slinking back to return it without having cracked the cover.
However, over the course of many ensuing happy hours, my friend repeated his praise with such frequency and fervor that I realized I was neglecting my own literary wellbeing by not reading A Swim. So I retrieved it from the library one more time and sat down in the auditorium of its pages to read. To listen. And the abundant, lyrical insights and admonitions projected by Saunders from the podium—not to mention the sonorous stories which danced around him on the stage—delighted me. His dramatic seminar carried me to a higher level of awareness and appreciation for the Russians, sharpened my knowledge of the craft of short story, and swelled my affection for poetic and passionate teachers. I hardly shifted in my seat until I had finished. When I finally rose to leave the room, my mind and body both seemed to hum, I’m glad my friend recommended that lecture, and I’m glad I listened.
Continue reading my full review on my business website.