An eye-opener

The acid test of a good book-about-books is whether, as I'm reading it, I find myself composing a lengthy list of works which are mentioned in the text and which the writer has convinced me I desperately want to read.  On this test alone, Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer is a fantastic success.  In keeping with her ethos of close reading, she quotes generous extracts from a real range of contemporary and classic novels and short stories.  I've reached page 186 and have so far added 16 books to my wishlist, reserved three at my local library, promoted five up the 'must re-read' list and ordered another four from Abebooks; several of them contemporary works of which I hadn't previously heard.  I know this rather goes against my resolution to have a break from contemporary fiction but Ms Prose has convinced me that I won't be wasting my time on these ones. 

Based on her 'show and tell' appreciation of several of the extracts I have concluded that I can trust this woman's taste in books and have become excited about a number of writers I had previously filed under the heading of 'Not for Me'.  Flannery O'Connor, Jane Bowles, Mavis Gallant, Henry Green, Philip Roth and Rebecca West all come into this category (although for the latter my resistance had already been softened up by Susan and litlove who have both had praise for her recently). 

As I'm at home with time on my hands I also have the luxury of being able to ferret out the full versions of some of the short stories from which Prose quotes, and with her appreciation in mind had my eyes opened to John Cheever's 'Goodbye, My Brother' yesterday.  Amazing given that the volume of Collected Stories has sat untouched on my shelves for at least half a dozen years.  But at least it was there when I needed it. 

I can tell I'll be coming back to this book in the future when I'm jaded and unsure what to read next: she inspires such enthusiasm for the writers she discusses.  Wonderful stuff.

Comments

[jenclair]

What could be better than an author who inspires enthusiasm about other authors and their works. Are you going to list the books you've added to your list?

Bluestalking Reader has posted recently about Flannery O'Connor, and I've ordered a copy of The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor.

[Susan]

I ordered The Violent Bear It Away earlier in the week. There was an article in the NYT about O'Connor's home in Georgia that I think has sparked a lot of recent interest.

Do list the books, please, andra.

[Susan]

Er, Sandra.

[Lisa C.]

I really enjoyed Reading Like a Writer. That's why I was excited that Barnes and Noble is running a book discussion of this book this month. Prose has been posting comments everyday so far.

[Litlove]

I've found Rebecca West to have a very old-fashioned feel to it, and I enjoyed it so much more than I expected to. I'm also interested in Flannery O'Connor and Henry Green whom I've been intending to read for a while, so will be intrigued as ever as to what you think of them.

[Stefanie]

Flannery O'Connor is amazing, definitely worth the time. I read collection A Good Man is Hard to Find two years ago and still think about it now and then.

[Emily]

Well, I've been meaning to read Prose's book for months now. But maybe I'll wait a while longer. I don't need to add to my TBR list at the moment, and I am far too easily swayed by writers writing highly of other writers' works, often finding myself doing such things as thinking, "Well, I know I've always hated The Scarlet Letter, but maybe I ought to give it another try..." after reading a brilliant writer's thoughts on how brilliant it is.

[Victoria]

Prose is such a good name for a writer who writes about reading... I'll have to put it on my interminable wishlist. :-)