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The Art of Fiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers Audiobook
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(3.08) - 377 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In 1958, Ayn Rand, legendary author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, gave an informal course to friends and acquaintances on the art of reading and writing fiction. Now the edited transcripts of these sessions are available to readers and aspiring writers.
Ayn Rand discusses how a writer combines abstract ideas with concrete action and description to achieve a unity of theme, plot, characterization, and style, the four essential elements of fiction. She explains why "You cannot borrow another man's soul, and you cannot borrow his style," and why "Every writer is a moral philosopher." Here, too, are Rand's illuminating analyses of passages from writers like Victor Hugo and Thomas Wolfe, as well as fascinating rules for building dramatic plots and characters with depth.
Clear, concise, and accessible,The Art of Fictionis an invaluable gift from one of our most enduring authors and an indispensable resource for all lovers of literature.
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"This book is based on private lectures given by novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand, author of "Atlas Shrugged", "The Fountainhead", "Anthem", and "We the Living". It is an amazing guide to learning the principles of how to write fiction and dispels the arbitrary myths commonly taught about how the mind works when writing. A fascinating read recommended to both readers and writers seeking a better understanding of the books they read or how to become a professional author."
— Christopher (5 out of 5 stars)
The Art of Fiction Listener Reviews
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" I'm not an aspiring fiction-writer. I imagine that this book would be extremely helpful to someone who is. It provides conceptual frameworks for understanding fiction-writing that were new to me, and useful even in understanding and appreciating fiction. I suspect it will help me to better understand some of my reactions to things I read, and perhaps even to anticipate them. That would be really useful. :-) "
— Jeff, 2/20/2014 -
" Ayn Rand is an excellent teacher. "
— Ilyn, 2/11/2014 -
" Oddly enough, one of the worst writers in history gives some of the greatest advice to writers in history. If only she had followed her own advice, Atlas Shrugged would've been 300 pages, introduce its main character before chapter 25, and not contained a ham-fisted 50 page soliloquy! "
— Jon, 2/1/2014 -
" I really don't care for Ayn Rand or her ideologies. That being said, I managed to end up loving this book. Yes, Rand is opinionated to the max, but there's good information about the craft of writing to be found here. She gave me a lot to think about and I will be a better reader now. "
— Rae, 1/27/2014 -
" I used to love Ayn, now I'm starting to hate her. She is so arrogant that I found it hard to get through this book, even though it is of great interest to me right now. "
— Erin, 1/15/2014 -
" The book was written over 60 years ago, but it hasn't lost any of its currency. "
— Yaroslav, 1/14/2014 -
" Interesting to see an author explain why they made the choices they did and to defend their overall views on literature. "
— conor, 12/18/2013 -
" Interesting stuff, but Objectivism morally offends me, so parts of this were useless. "
— Efseine, 5/22/2013 -
" Transcripts of informal lectures by Ayn Rand on fiction writing. While the book bears her name as author, the transcripts were edited by Tore Boeckmann with some content deleted. There is still some rambling but gives Rand's views on writing. "
— Fredrick, 4/26/2013 -
" The single most important book on writing I have ever read. It changed my writing and my life. "
— Summer, 3/17/2013 -
" Ayn Rand gives focused advise on how to write. It is not how to start, but how to punch things up, how to show vs. tell, etc. Well-organized, easy to read, a great tool for authors. "
— Carmen, 1/22/2013 -
" I still make reference to it when I write. "
— Renee, 5/19/2012 -
" An amazing "left-brained" approach to writing fiction. Rand was a writer who began with her themes in mind, and then wrangled her stories to fit them. "
— Teri, 5/13/2012 -
" Although I don't agree with a lot of her views on fiction, Ayn Rand was a woman ahead of her time. I like how she thoroughly explains her ideas and provides reasoning for them. We need more thinkers like her. "
— Joseph, 4/21/2012 -
" One of the two most insightful books ever written for readers and writers of fiction. The second is "The Romantic Manifesto," also by Ayn Rand. "
— Dean, 3/11/2012 -
" When people asked why I was reading this I told them that I wanted to learn what not to do. Actually, it's a great primer for how to construct conflicts, plot, and other elements. "
— Dan, 2/24/2012 -
" I'm not a big fan of Ayn Rand's philosophy, but this book offers a few good insights into fiction writing. "
— Roger, 1/1/2012 -
" Whether you agree with her or not, Ayn Rand is a master of the written word. Both The Art of Fiction and The Art of Nonfiction are excellent resources for any writer of both genres. "
— Taylor, 8/31/2011 -
" I dont care who John Galt is!!! "
— Steven, 6/30/2011 -
" I feel honored to have stepped into Ayn's world and to have experienced her passion for capitalism. "
— Michael, 6/30/2011 -
" So far a good read and interesting! "
— Rick, 6/30/2011 -
" Should be required reading for all Americans! "
— Leekwhittle, 6/30/2011 -
" So many bad reviews from the liberal end of the political spectrum, and I can understand why (myself leaning towards the left). I might not fully agree with her views, but I found the book strangely absorbing and thought it was a good read. "
— Chi, 6/29/2011 -
" Intellectually bankrupt and outright offensive piece of trash. Never have I seen a straw-man so artfully constructed. Dangerous to impressionable teenage girls and oafish Republicans. "
— Westonia1989, 6/28/2011 -
" This book changed my life back in college. I've since changed a lot of my opinions about Ayn Rand's life philosophy, but I still love her writing and think she has valid points about a lot of humanity's condition. "
— Laurie, 6/27/2011 -
" Way too long. Offers the best case for radical libertarianism I've encountered. But of course, the book is fiction. "
— Michael, 6/27/2011 -
" I really liked it. "Who is John Galt?" This book has a lot of political theory, and a lot of common sense that people seem to have lost today. Enthusiastic recommendation for any patient reader! "
— Jan, 6/27/2011 -
" While I don't agree with her philosophy, this has always been one of my favorite books. I am planning a re-read this year. "
— Brenda, 6/26/2011 -
" It's a good story, captivating, well written. I couldn't disagree more with the philosophy it espouses. "
— Kay, 6/24/2011 -
" It's quite possible that this is the book got me interested in reading! I read it for a second time a couple of years later and loved it just as much then. Dagny, Reardon, and John Galt are forever etched in my mind. It was a pivotal book for me. Thank you Ayn Rand. "
— Luanne, 6/24/2011 -
" Enjoyed the characters but would not want to live in such a world. "
— Devi, 6/24/2011 -
" Loved first half of book. Second half was frustrating. The characters started betraying their own ideals in their own unique ways. "
— Allison, 6/23/2011
About Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand (1905–1982) was born in Russia, graduated from the University of Leningrad, and came to the United States in 1926. She published her first novel in 1936. With the publication of The Fountainhead in 1943, she achieved a spectacular and enduring success, and her unique philosophy, Objectivism, gained a worldwide following.
About Marguerite Gavin
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”