I've read a number of books on screenwriting, and I have mixed feelings about this one. On the positive side, there are quite a few things in there that I found incredibly helpful and insightful. On the negative side though, if there was such a thing as a filler-to-insightful-content ratio, the ratio wouldn't be good. He's really wordy and pompous and you need to read a lot of nonsense to extract the really good bits. Contrast that with, for example, the "Save The Cat" books, which I think are a lot more concise and reader-friendly.
It's kind of ironic, when you think about it, because the problem with this book (a book on writing no less) isn't the content or ideas, it's the writing of it. And I've found this in many other books on writing too... why do writers that write these books have such a hard time using some of the very lessons that they are teaching, in their own writing. Dunno. Anyway, useful book, I do recommend it, but it's needlessly wordy and the content is badly diluted.
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Customer reviews
Buy it, toss the cover and read every chapter twice!
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2015
I have two copies of "Story" to ensure it is always nearby.Out of a dozen or so books on writing, I found McKee's "Story" thoroughly enlightening.It can be a challenge to comprehend in places - but worth the extra effort!In terms of characters driving narrative, review chapter 7 and examine writing w/in "the gap".I found it easier to grasp McKee by writing one paragraph summaries of each chapter as I progressed.It may be helpful to think of each chapter as a separate vignette of knowledge.I suggest reading the chapters in this order: 1-3, 8, 4, 7, 5-6, 15, 9, 10-11, 14, 18, 12-13, 16-17(the above order was suggested to me in fact by L.S.)Also, try reading "Save the Cat", contrast/compare w/ "Story" and refer to the "Bible" by Trottier.On a side note, the slip cover is absolutely awful. Throw it away.The hardcover book w/out the slip cover is a tasteful blue-purple w/ STORY and McKee in gold print.(see attached photo)
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2015
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2019
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2015
Out of a dozen or so books on writing, I found McKee's "Story" thoroughly enlightening.
It can be a challenge to comprehend in places - but worth the extra effort!
In terms of characters driving narrative, review chapter 7 and examine writing w/in "the gap".
I found it easier to grasp McKee by writing one paragraph summaries of each chapter as I progressed.
It may be helpful to think of each chapter as a separate vignette of knowledge.
I suggest reading the chapters in this order: 1-3, 8, 4, 7, 5-6, 15, 9, 10-11, 14, 18, 12-13, 16-17
(the above order was suggested to me in fact by L.S.)
Also, try reading "Save the Cat", contrast/compare w/ "Story" and refer to the "Bible" by Trottier.
On a side note, the slip cover is absolutely awful. Throw it away.
The hardcover book w/out the slip cover is a tasteful blue-purple w/ STORY and McKee in gold print.
(see attached photo)
Verified Purchase
Buy it, toss the cover and read every chapter twice!
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2015
I have two copies of "Story" to ensure it is always nearby.Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2015
Out of a dozen or so books on writing, I found McKee's "Story" thoroughly enlightening.
It can be a challenge to comprehend in places - but worth the extra effort!
In terms of characters driving narrative, review chapter 7 and examine writing w/in "the gap".
I found it easier to grasp McKee by writing one paragraph summaries of each chapter as I progressed.
It may be helpful to think of each chapter as a separate vignette of knowledge.
I suggest reading the chapters in this order: 1-3, 8, 4, 7, 5-6, 15, 9, 10-11, 14, 18, 12-13, 16-17
(the above order was suggested to me in fact by L.S.)
Also, try reading "Save the Cat", contrast/compare w/ "Story" and refer to the "Bible" by Trottier.
On a side note, the slip cover is absolutely awful. Throw it away.
The hardcover book w/out the slip cover is a tasteful blue-purple w/ STORY and McKee in gold print.
(see attached photo)
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
The Reader
Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2018Verified Purchase
Robin
Forget the rest
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2017Verified Purchase
A. Perry
Still #1 on Subject
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2021Verified Purchase
Ewan Ashford
Authoritative, not for the faint-hearted!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2013Verified Purchase
callie_af
Exhaustive book but little research
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2020Verified Purchase
