The Craft of Fiction   By: Percy Lubbock (1879-1965)

The Craft of Fiction is a timeless literary guide written by Percy Lubbock, which offers valuable insights into the art of storytelling. Although the title may sound rather generic, this book is a hidden gem for both aspiring writers and avid readers alike.

Lubbock's approach to discussing the craft of fiction is both informative and engaging. He explores various elements of storytelling, such as plot, character development, and dialogue, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the components that make a story truly captivating. His analysis of different narrative techniques is thorough, allowing readers to grasp the importance of structure, pacing, and the overall aesthetic of a narrative.

One of the book's strongest aspects is Lubbock's ability to provide numerous examples from classic works of literature. Drawing from renowned authors such as Jane Austen, Henry James, and Leo Tolstoy, he illustrates his points with precision, making it easier for readers to digest the complex theories behind fiction writing. These examples not only showcase Lubbock's keen eye for literary analysis but also invite readers to explore these exceptional works of fiction further.

Furthermore, Lubbock's writing style is accessible and eloquent. He avoids unnecessary jargon, ensuring that his advice is relatable to readers of all levels of writing experience. Lubbock's prose is clear, concise, and impactful, making this book an enjoyable and enlightening read.

One slight drawback is that the book may not delve deeply into certain aspects of the craft. While Lubbock covers a wide range of topics, there are moments when readers may feel that certain elements could have been explored in greater detail. However, this is only a minor criticism, as the book still provides ample guidance to readers seeking to refine their storytelling skills.

Overall, The Craft of Fiction is a must-read for anyone interested in literature and the art of writing. Percy Lubbock's insightful analysis and accessible writing style make this book a valuable resource for aspiring authors and a delightful journey through the world of storytelling. The Craft of Fiction elevates the understanding of the craft, inspiring readers to engage with literature on a deeper level while encouraging them to embark on their own creative endeavors.

First Page:

To grasp the shadowy and fantasmal form of a book, to hold it fast, to turn it over and survey it at leisure that is the effort of a critic of books, and it is perpetually defeated. Nothing, no power, will keep a book steady and motionless before us, so that we may have time to examine its shape and design. As quickly as we read, it melts and shifts in the memory; even at the moment when the last page is turned, a great part of the book, its finer detail, is already vague and doubtful. A little later, after a few days or months, how much is really left of it? A cluster of impressions, some clear points emerging from a mist of uncertainty, this is all we can hope to possess, generally speaking, in the name of a book. The experience of reading it has left something behind, and these relics we call by the book's name; but how can they be considered to give us the material for judging and appraising the book? Nobody would venture to criticize a building, a statue, a picture, with nothing before him but the memory of a single glimpse caught in passing; yet the critic of literature, on the whole, has to found his opinion upon little more... Continue reading book >>