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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A deeply sensitive writer, August 23, 2003
John Gardner wrote a collection of stories about people and their relationship with Art: a story about a conductor, a painter, a musician, a young lady working in an Art studio, a boy in a house full of choir singers , a cook etc. The humanity explored in these stories is illumed by the practice or appreciation of whatever form of art they endeavour.
Gardner is an amazing technical writer, so the prose is incredibly clear and evocative, the plots are water-proof tight, and the messages are so deep and convincing that you don't mind that they leave with an ambiguous feeling. And what's interestingly unique about him, setting him aside from most of the writers I like, is that he doesn't write with a chip on his shoulder. He likes people. He is completely secure and can make penetrating observations without being condescending. The result is a frank and beautiful collection and eloquent stories that all come together to form a little piece of heaven.
I think Art is grown up work and should be taken with due seriousness. This isn't light fiction, but it's nice to be reminded that grown up, serious fiction can also be uplifting.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A deeply sensitive writer, August 23, 2003
John Gardner wrote a collection of stories about people and their relationship with Art: a story about a conductor, a painter, a musician, a young lady working in an Art studio, a boy in a house full of choir singers , a cook etc. The humanity explored in these stories is illumed by the practice or appreciation of whatever form of art they endeavor. Gardner is an amazing technical writer, so the prose is incredibly clear and evocative, the plots are water-proof tight, and the messages are so deep and convincing that you don't mind that they leave with an ambiguous feeling. And what's most unique about him, setting him aside from most of the writers I like, he doesn't write with a chip on his shoulder. He likes people. He is completely secure, and can make penetrating observations without being condescending. The result is a frank and beautiful collection and eloquent stories that all come together to form a little piece of heaven. I don't like fluff. Puppies and babies are cute, but I think Art is grown up work and should be taken with due seriousness. This isn't light fiction, but it's nice to be reminded that grown up, serious fiction can also be uplifting.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterwork from a Master Craftsman, December 12, 2008
Beautiful book.
Here you'll find some of Gardner's most moving short fiction, such as "Redemption," about that accident on the farm when Gardner accidentally killed his brother.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves one of our greatest writers and teachers.
Justin Nicholes
Fiction Editor, Our Stories
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