SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life Paperback – 12 April 2022

Great stories and engaging commentary by George Saunders. Lots to think about, for aspiring writers to hone their craft.

This is essential reading for wannabe writers and passionate readers. For the former it provides inspiration and confidence. For the latter it provides sheer joy. Much gratitude for the author. Wish had attended a class of his in person. Sigh.

“These days, it’s easy to feel that we’ve fallen out of connection with one another and with the earth and with reason and with love. I mean: we have. But to read, to write, is to say that we still believe in, at least, the possibility of connection. When reading and writing, we feel connection happening (or not). That’s the essence of these activities: ascertaining whether connection is happening, and where, and why.”I’ve taken so long to write about this book because does one really review a textbook? This book was actually created out of a course on Russian Literature that George Saunders teaches at the Syracuse University. By example of seven short stories written by four Russian authors - Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy and Gogol, Saunders takes us along on a journey to help us read better, identify the structure, pattern and variation that makes a story interesting and for those interested, to write better. Only after reading this book have I understood what “craft” in the context of writing means. (Interestingly, I’ve also been able to identify these elements in some of the children’s books that I read to my son at bedtime!)Towards the end of the book, Saunders tries to answer what the purpose of fiction is.“... that’s what fiction does: it causes an incremental change in the state of a mind. That’s it. But, you know—it really does it. That change is finite but real. And that’s not nothing. It’s not everything, but it’s not nothing.”No. It is something. As is this book.

The book has really tiny font and makes it difficult for the reader to have a smooth reading experience. I would recommend to increase the font and make it a much more comfortable reading experience.

The books deciphers the method of narration. What makes a story more intriguing and intersting and how simple construction of narration can add depth to the story line. How each Russian classic story is interpreted and how can one learn form this form of ''Story-Telling'.!!

Very informative and educational for writers. I haven’t read much of Russian fiction and I didn’t know it was this delightful. Thanks to the author for selecting some of the best of Chekov, Tolstoy etc. I really found the afterthoughts and analysis by the author very useful.

I read in leisure time only. Not yet completed reading. Author has given valuable tips in how to read a story to grasp the imort of what the author wants to convey. And, how to write a story to make it absorbing to the reader.

An excellent read for serious readers of fiction and those who want to learn to write better stories.