"Saunders is a gentle giant in American letters whose fiction frequently champions the downtrodden and satirizes a society rife with economic inequality. . . . [
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is] an analysis of classic Russian fiction that doubles as an introductory seminar on the mechanics of short stories--namely, how do they work and why? . . . Why does fiction matter now? The answer, Saunders finds, lies in understanding reading to be a kind of life skill--for understanding our position in the world, for arbitrating truth."
--The Wall Street Journal "This book is a delight, and it's about delight too. . . . [
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is] very different from just another 'how to' creative writing manual, or just another critical essay. . . . One of the pleasures of this book is feeling [Saunders's] own thinking move backwards and forwards, between the writer dissecting practice and the reader entering in through the spell of the words, to dwell inside the story."
--The Guardian "Saunders discusses each story's structure, energy flow, the questions it raises, and how "meaning is made," embracing both technical finesse and the mysteries at creation's core. . . . An invaluable and uniquely pleasurable master course and a generous celebration of reading, writing, and all the ways literature enriches our lives."
--Booklist (starred review) "A master of contemporary fiction joyously assesses some of the best of the nineteenth century."
--Kirkus Reviews "[A] true gift to writers and serious readers . . . With infectious enthusiasm and generosity of spirit, Saunders delves into seven stories that he calls the 'seven fastidiously constructed scale models of the world.' . . . While the genesis of
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain can be found in the creative writing classroom--and writers at any level of their careers will glean priceless pearls from nearly every page--the genius of Saunders's book, and his clear intention in offering it up, is to elucidate literature for the engaged reader, deepening the reading experience. It is also a blueprint for a greater engagement with humanity."
--BookPage "Superb mix of instruction and literary criticism . . . Saunders's generous teachings--and the classics they're based on--are sure to please."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The subtitle to this exhilarating and erudite work of non-fiction by the Booker Prizewinning author of
Lincoln in the Bardo and
Tenth of December is: "In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life." In it, one of the greatest short story writers of our time draws on his own love of Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy and Gogol--and on his joy in teaching them to his MFA students at Syracuse University. The result is a worship song to writers and readers."
--O: The Oprah Magazine
