Customer Reviews

The Writer's Brush: Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture by Writers

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I just got this book, and it is one of the best literary compendia I have ever seen or read. I love learning more about some of my favorite writers and was surprised at how talented some were - some I never knew painted - and it was strange to see how some of the art would have been what you expect, and some wasn't. For example I am a huge Dostoyevsky fan and his drawings looked a little ragged and strange and dark like his characters. I didn't know he drew in the margins of his manuscripts. At over 400 pages I will probably spend the next 10 years taking this book down from the shelf to read the quick bio and look again at the art of a writer who comes up in conversation around our house or who I am reading...Really beautiful and inspiring book.

The Writer's Brush is a remarkable achievement. It's a unique work that is simultaneously a very interesting read and a valuable resource. The collection of artwork is a window into the oft unknown alternate lives of many of our best known writers. It is fascinating to see the artwork of Joseph Conrad, Winston Churchill, Emily Bronte and Kurt Vonnegut, Kipling, Ibsen and Ionesco... who knew that their talents transcended the page to the canvas. I am also enjoying learning about authors that I didn't recognize and then seeking our their writings. Bravo.

This book is truly a treasure! Every page unveils little known talents and secrets of literary artists whose talents as painters, sculptors, and so on are every bit as fascinating as their written work. What is even more special is that the artists include such an immense variety of men and women from various periods of history. It is not a book to be read page-by-page, but like the greatest culinary delights from truffles to the purest chocolates, it needs to be savored in small, rich, fulfilling portions. I expect to see The Writer's Brush published in other languages, if that, indeed, has not already begun.

This is the bargain of the year. Wonderful full-color plates and extremely interesting biographies of the writer/artists.

I had seen a brief review of the book on t.v. prior to the holidays & ordered it for a friend of mine who is an avid reader & also dabbles in painting. He positively LOVED it, and this is a man who is not easy to please.....He said the book was insightful & gave glimpses into the other artistic side of writers....

Like authors? Like artists? Yes? Then you'll love this book.

Who knew that this large and varied group of famous writers had more than one talent? These 200 + writers were also active, serious makers of visual art. Their work is interesting, sometimes inspiring, to see. It might also tempt you to do a few doodles of your own.

This book allots just two wide pages to each author, so you can spend three minutes with the book or three hours. In that time, you can have a complete experience, and come back later for more. It fits into crowded or flexible schedules, but is a little large to carry around with you.

It makes a great gift; I bought one for myself, and then another for a literary friend. It made her very happy.

Many people know that William Blake was as gifted an artist as he was a writer, merging his poetry and painting into a single visionary expression. And it has been well documented that Winston Churchill, a fine writer, was also an accomplished painter. But it may come as a surprise to you, as it did to me, that James whitcomb Riley hired Booth Tarkington to illustrate the cover of one of his books. Riley was also a visual artist.

These fascinating facts, as well as over 400 color plates of art work by by many writers who were also visual artists and/or sculptors are included in the "Writer's Brush" written and complied by Donald Friedman. On the opposite page of the art reproductions there is a brief historical and often quirky critical passage about each writer/artist with surprising insights from 20 years of research and interviews Friedman conducted with many of those still living.

The writer/artists are listed in the book in alphabetical order -- from Cathy Acker to william Butler Yeats. Obviously the range of artistic talent and technical virtuosity
varies significantly. Many of the works of art seem to reflect the temperament and subject matter of the artisit's written work, such as a painting of writhing nude bodies by D.H. Lawrence. But that is not always the case. A sketch of can-can dancers by Joseph Conrad couldn't be farther from the mood of "The Heart of Darkness." What a treat.

It doesn't surprise me that so many authors are also
artist. Some of the works are very simple while others
are amazing. I'm glad I bought it and at such a great
price.