Books like The art of the novel by Henry James

Alan Jacobs shows that reading is thriving in America and offers practical, playful advice to help readers enjoy books without judgment, covering literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction and digital reading.

In Charlotte Lennox’s early 19th‑century novel, single Englishwoman Arabella turns the classic tale of Don Quixote on its head, seeing herself as a heroine who can win over any man with a single look.

Examines "the greatest works of world literature, from the Iliad to Don Quixote to The Great Gatsby. Around 100 ... articles explore landmark novels, short stories, plays, and poetry that reinvented the art of writing in their time, whether Ancient Greece, post-classical Europe, or modern-day Korea"--Amazon.com.

Henry James’s annotated correspondence reveals the mind of a master novelist, offering insights into his works, literary craft, and views on sex, politics, and friendship through letters to writers, artists, and leaders.

A lively collection of Mark Twain's humorous sketches, ranging from satirical social commentary to playful anecdotes, showcasing his wit within the context of 19th‑century American life.

Learn how to let your story guide you rather than a rigid outline, with step‑by‑step guidance on core narrative ingredients and techniques used by master storytellers.

David Mamet charts his shift from a champion of liberal values to a critic of mainstream media and liberal ideology, examining politics, culture, religion, and environmental issues in his latest political commentary.

Explains the principles and techniques of good writing, and discusses the seven basic technical matters that beginning writers must constantly bear in mind.

Positioned at the crossroads of the physical and biological sciences, chemistry deals with neither the infinitely small, nor the infinitely large, nor directly with life. So it is sometimes thought of as dull, the way things in the middle often are. But this middle ground is precisely where human beings exist. As Hoffmann shows in his inspired prose, the world observed at its molecular level is complex and agitated, as are the emotions of the supposedly dispassionate scientists who explore it. In The Same and Not the Same the vital tensions of chemistry are revealed; with down-to-earth explanations, Hoffmann uncovers the polarities that power, rend, and reform the world of molecules. When we wash an apple before eating it, we are thinking not merely of the dirt that may still be on it but of the pesticides used in agricultural production. When we take medication, we expect relief for our pain but also fear side effects. The Same and Not the Same shows this ambivalence to be only one of a number of dualities pervading the world of molecules. The theme of identity, reflected in the title of the book, is central to the story. Other dualities, from stasis and dynamics, to creation and discovery to the rich complexity of revealing and concealing, are lucidly delineated for nonscientist and scientist alike. The Same and Not the Same also offers a rare and compelling personal statement of the social responsibility of scientists. Unabashedly confronting some of the major ethical controversies in chemistry today, the book strives for balance in facing the pressing ecological and environmental concerns of our time.

A practical guide for aspiring novelists, expanding on Frey’s earlier handbook with advanced techniques in pacing, character development, and reader engagement.

A practical guide for writers, this book offers clear, accessible advice and sensible rules to master storytelling basics.