First published 2017
Margot Livesey opens her examination of fiction's inner workings with a simple premise: great literature conceals the very techniques that make it powerful, and aspiring writers must learn to uncover them. Through detailed analysis of literary works, discussions of technique, and personal reflection, she reveals how stories and novels gain strength from studying both celebrated authors and our own lived experiences. Her exploration moves from the challenges of conducting research to the art of developing memorable characters, from Flaubert's journey toward his debut novel to Jane Austen's transformation of romance in her final work. Livesey argues that close reading serves as the bridge between loving literature and creating it. This collection of insights offers both casual readers and dedicated writers a practical guide to understanding how fiction operates beneath its surface, providing tools they can return to repeatedly in their reading and writing practice.
Genres: biography, fiction, art, literary-fiction, criticism, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, informative
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century, 21st-Century
302 pages · Paperback · Tin House