A genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that ”true art is by its nature moral.”
On Moral Fiction
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Review
"It is salutary to come across a writer who is genuinely ambitious for art." -- The New York Review of Books
"John Gardner's On Moral Fiction is criticism with both eyes open, fearless, illuminating, proving...that true art is moral and not trivial." -- Los Angeles Times
"Most refreshing about Gardner is his belief that some truths are indeed knowable." -- Business Week
"John Gardner's On Moral Fiction is criticism with both eyes open, fearless, illuminating, proving...that true art is moral and not trivial." -- Los Angeles Times
"Most refreshing about Gardner is his belief that some truths are indeed knowable." -- Business Week
About the Author
John Gardner (1933–1982) was a bestselling novelist and one of the most popular and respected writing teachers of his generation. His books On Moral Fiction, The Art of Fiction, and On Becoming a Novelist are consulted by thousands of aspiring writers every year. His novels include the classic Grendel and the bestsellers October Light, The Sunlight Dialogues, and Nickel Mountain.
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More About the Author
John Gardner (1933-1982) was born in Batavia, New York. His critically acclaimed books include the novels Grendel, The Sunlight Dialogues, and October Light, for which he received the National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as several works of nonfiction and criticism such as On Becoming a Novelist. He was also a professor of medieval literature and a pioneering creative writing teacher whose students included Raymond Carver and Charles Johnson.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Gardner's work certainly won't appeal to postmodernists or other avant-garde scribblers who believe form takes precedence over content. His thesis is simple: all art purports to better the world, not hinder it; all art essentially believes in a form of goodness, truth, beauty, whatever you want to call it, in the sense that it affirms that there is an inherent value in life and no value in "valuelessness." He comes down strongly on writers who write like "writers," and where style becomes more important than the timeless art of storytelling. All this probably won't be very compelling to many of the readers who cling to the works of 60s writers like Pynchon, Gass, Coover, et al., who write thinly disguised treatises, not novels, and who people their books not with characters but mannequins. There is something old fashioned about Gardner's point of view, which won't win him many hipster fans, but his argument, this reader feels, stands up even stronger in today's climate where the main literary trends seem to consist of endless irony, facile references to pop culture and television. Furthermore, his book is lucid, trenchant, passionate, engaging, and of course, confrontational.
52 of 57 people found the following review helpful
By Carra R Lane
Format:Paperback
This book created some stir when originally published, perhaps due more to the naming of names (of peers Gardner judged arrogant/irresponsible/careless) than to the deeper ideas/passions which inform it. One star is subtracted for poor strategy, excessive willingness to engage on turf occupied/fortified by his not at all innocent victims. Gardner does get lost, from time to time, in one abstract philosophical swamp or another. The book may be needlessly long. But the writing rings true, finally. This is the most ambitious literary argument published during the past fifty years, certainly, and it is essentially on the mark. The academic canon was tilting dangerously in the direction of empty opaque diddling during the seventies, choked with very talented hip and superhip cynics, often on university payrolls, weary of the ancient plain work of shaping stories. The vogue was so universal that Gardner fails to find a single working American high lit contender (excluding himself, we trust) to like without heavy reservations. He does favor one Englishman, at least. This ground is tricky. Some of the writing disdained/derided seeks, in various ways, to imitate James Joyce, who is granted a semi-pass, and Ezra Pound is not properly whapped until near the end. Connecting the wave of mean arrogant cleverness to its obvious roots counts, has consequences. Gardner, who died by motorcycle accident in the early eighties, may have been just beginning to fight.
36 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I first read this book in the 1970's when it was new. I've owned a copy ever since, and I've given so many away as gifts that I've lost count.
It is easily my favorite book. From the moment I first read it, until today; I open its pages and feel as if I'm having a literary conversation with an old friend.
The "moral" in the title puts off some folks, but don't be deterred. Gardner uses the term "moral" as you or I would use the word "truth." All Gardner is imploring is that authors seek the truth when writing fiction and avoid cheap tricks and cheap effects. That is all.
Yes, Gardner did feel that writing comes with a responsibility. He also felt it was nothing less than a privilege, and thus comes the responsibility that goes with privilege.
Buy it, enjoy it. If you share Gardner's view (as illustrated in the paragraph above, I promise you -- you will cherish this volume).
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
On Moral Fiction
John Gardner's book On Moral Fiction did a good job explaining his views on what constitutes great fiction rather than simply fiction to sell. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ann Frailey
4.0 out of 5 stars
On Moral Fiction - Review
On Moral Fiction: Review
"True art is moral. We recognize true art by its' careful, thoroughly honest search for an analysis of values. Read more
"True art is moral. We recognize true art by its' careful, thoroughly honest search for an analysis of values. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Xavier Morrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greater than Moral Fiction is Redemptive Fiction
I empathize with John Gardner and his frustration with the mediocrity of modernism, postmodernism and nihilism, and the lack of what he refers to as moral fiction in much of the... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Lorilyn Roberts
4.0 out of 5 stars
Exalted "poshlost"
John Gardner was a good writer; but he could have been a better writer, if only his scale of values were that of an artist. Read more
Published on February 11, 2011 by Scipio Americanus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Look beyond the title
It's a sad thing that anyone who has read and treasured Gardner's "On Fiction" should be put off by "On Moral Fiction" thinking it could be a lectionary of sorts. Read more
Published on May 2, 2009 by Nancy E. Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Culture bad, Gardner good.
See, it's not just you. Others, too, have long believed much of the world's culture to be shoe-scrapingly disgusting, at best. Read more
Published on March 29, 2009 by David Govett
5.0 out of 5 stars
John Gardner did us a service.
Serious musicians should listen to Beethoven. Serious thinkers should study Kant. Serious writers should read this book. Read more
Published on December 22, 2008 by Irami Osei-Frimpong
5.0 out of 5 stars
Obligatory Reading for All Novelists
Gardner defines the mission of the visionary novelist in a way that underlines the essential importance of storytellers to humanity's hopes and dreams--an approach as relevant in... Read more
Published on August 26, 2006 by Kenneth J. Atchity
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mutual Exclusivity?
I enjoy Gardner's critical and educational writings even when I disagree, as with the idea of the indispensible "fictional dream. Read more
Published on January 8, 2005 by The Onionist
2.0 out of 5 stars
Postmodern novelist tells all!
I have to tell you, I don't get Gardner. To start with, he writes this book mainly as a gag to rile folks up. Read more
Published on October 4, 2001
