Shelfology Book Pairing

In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life

by George Saunders

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the Booker Prize–winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo and Tenth of December comes a literary master class on what makes great stories work and what they can tell us about ourselves—and our world today. LONGLISTED FOR THE PEN/DIAMONSTEIN-SPIELVOGEL AWARD • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, Time, San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Town & Country, The Rumpus, Electric Lit, Thrillist, BookPage • “ worship song to writers and readers.”—Oprah Daily For the last twenty years, George Saunders has been teaching a class on the Russian short story to his MFA students at Syracuse University. In A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he shares a version of that class with us, offering some of what he and his students have discovered together over the years. Paired with iconic short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol, the seven essays in this book are intended for anyone interested in how fiction works and why it’s more relevant than ever in these turbulent times. In his introduction, Saunders writes, “We’re going to enter seven fastidiously constructed scale models of the world, made for a specific purpose that our time maybe doesn’t fully endorse but that these writers accepted implicitly as the aim of art—namely, to ask the big questions, questions like, How are we supposed to be living down here? What were we put here to accomplish? What should we value? What is truth, anyway, and how might we recognize it?” He approaches the stories technically yet accessibly, and through them explains how narrative functions; why we stay immersed in a story and why we resist it; and the bedrock virtues a writer must foster. The process of writing, Saunders reminds us, is a technical craft, but also a way of training oneself to see the world with new openness and curiosity. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a deep exploration not just of how great writing works but of how the mind itself works while reading, and of how the reading and writing of stories make genuine connection possible.

Enriched edition. An Intimate Literary Journey Through Paris in the Roaring '20s

by Ernest Hemingway

A Moveable Feast stands as Ernest Hemingway's poignant memoir of his years in Paris during the 1920s, shedding light on both his personal and artistic journey. With Hemingway's characteristic terse prose and vivid imagery, the book captures the essence of a vibrant expatriate community, reflecting the juxtaposition of bohemian life and the quest for authenticity amidst the backdrop of historical Paris. The narrative intertwines retrospective musings with precise details of social interactions, effectively conveying the zeitgeist of a seminal period for modernist literature and art, while revealing the profound connections between the author and his contemporaries. Ernest Hemingway, an iconic figure of 20th-century literature, often drew on his own life experiences to develop his craft. A journalist by training and a veteran of two world wars, Hemingway's passion for storytelling is intricately linked to his personal struggles and successes. His encounters with literary giants like Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ezra Pound profoundly influenced his stylistic evolution, ultimately leading to the creation of A Moveable Feast, which serves as both a snapshot of his life and a tribute to a bygone era. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in the intersections of personal narrative and literary history. It offers not just a glimpse into the life of one of America's literary greats but also an immersive experience that encapsulates the spirit of a vibrant artistic landscape. A Moveable Feast is essential reading for those who wish to understand the complexities of creativity, identity, and the inexorable passage of time. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.