Jul, 2004 wood is a senior editor at the new republic and a visiting lecturer in english and american literature at harvard. James wood published on april, 2005 by james wood isbn. Joan wickershams most recent book, the news from spain knopf. James woods first book of essays, the broken estate, established him as the leading critic of his generation, one whose judgments are distinguished by their originality and precision, the depth of reading that informs them, and the metaphorical richness of their language harpers. The irresponsible self by james wood the independent. On laughter and the novel hardcover 1 jun 2004 by james wood author. Contents data are machine generated based on prepublication information provided by the publisher. On laughter and the novel kindle edition by james wood. The dry way he describes even the best jokes succeeds in making them boring. The irresponsible self has as many comprehensible insights in its 312 pages as blooms genius contains in about three times as many. On laughter and the novel paperback import, september 1, 2005 by james wood author. Youve chosen a collection of his essays called the irresponsible self. The common thread in wood s latest collection of essays is what makes us laugh and the book is an attempt to distinguish between the perhaps rather limited english comedy as seen in waugh, for example and a continental tragiccomedy, which he sees as real, universal. The irresponsible self also dealsat times with lofty disdainwith tom wolfe and salmon rushdie, and, more sympathetically, with knut hamsun, vs pritchett, saul bellow, monica ali and henry green.
James woods most popular book is how fiction works. The irresponsible self, even in its short bursts and frequent changes of literary scene, will be thick going for the unprepared. Whats funny as i type this is how woods thesis sounds like harold blooms gnosticism man not quite sure why i found this book so much less interesting than his previous book that i couldnt get all the way through it. On laughter and the novel by james wood 312pp, cape.
On laughter and the novel by james wood jonathan cape. On laughter and the novel into the following lists. In his book about comedy and literature, the irresponsible self. The irresponsible self by james wood penguin books. James wood and the comedy of forgiveness the reading. The common thread in woods latest collection of essays is what makes us laugh and the book is an attempt to distinguish between the perhaps rather limited english comedy as seen in waugh, for example and a continental tragiccomedy, which he sees as. And unlike bloom, wood deals effectively and coherently with fiction writers. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. None of the essays have been crafted with a full length work in mind, so wood frequently repeats himself and often has to throw in something that is clearly a later addition to make the essay fit in with the putative theme of this work, which is a certain kind of.
Essays on literature and belief, and a novel, the book against god. James wood the irresponsible self on laughter and the novel. Sep 01, 2005 there are a few problems with the irresponsible self, but the main one is that it so clearly reflects its origins in journalism. James wood is now more relevant than harold bloom and arguably any other literary critic working in the english language. Bibliographic record and links to related information available from the library of congress catalog. But even with all of these problems, wood makes me want to run out and read a book immediately more than any other critic. Its successor, the irresponsible self, confirms woods preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also. The irresponsible self on laughter and the novel by james woods farrar, straus and giroux. The best books on the comic novel five books expert. If a book were to be written that was truly about laughter and the novelnot about mild tragicomedythese would be the books and the writers that would have to be examined. The irresponsible self lacks such a big, unifying, arguable claim. The irresponsible self ebook by james wood rakuten kobo. The common thread in woods latest collection of essays is what makes us laugh and the book is an attempt to distinguish between the perhaps rather limited english comedy as seen in waugh, for example and a continental tragiccomedy, which he sees as real.
Following the broken estate, the irresponsible self, and how fiction works books that established james wood as the leading critic of his generation the fun stuff confirms woods preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an appreciator of the contemporary novel. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the irresponsible self. The irresponsible self 9780312424602 by wood, james and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The closest wood comes to assessing this brand of fiction is his backofthehand dismissal of what he calls hysterical realism. James douglas graham wood born 1 november 1965 is an english literary critic, essayist and novelist wood was the guardian s chief literary critic between 1992 and 1995. James wood is pretty much as good a general critic of literary fiction as youll find writing. He was formerly the chief literary critic for the guardian and has previously published a collection of critical essays, the broken estate. James wood has 157 books on goodreads with 76270 ratings. Forsters classic aspects of the novel in a book length analysis of the techniques that make fiction both artifice and verisimilitude. James wood has been a staff writer at the new yorker since 2007. Apr 30, 2005 following the collection the broken estatewhich established james wood as the leading critic of his generation the irresponsible self confirms wood s preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an appreciator of contemporary novels.
Following the collection the broken estatewhich established james wood as the leading critic of his generation the irresponsible self confirms woods preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an. James wood books list of books by author james wood. This collection includes wood s famous and controversial attack on hysterical realism, and his sensitive but unsparing examinations of white teeth and brick lane. Grey daze, best nonfiction books about books and rea. James wood is a staff writer at the new yorker and professor of the practice of literary criticism at harvard university. He was a senior editor at the new republic between 1995 and 2007. Following the collection the broken estatewhich established james wood as the leading critic of his generationthe irresponsible self confirms woods preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an appreciator of contemporary novels. James wood has been a staff writer and book critic at the new yorker since 2007. And every one of the 20odd essays has something illuminating to say about novels past and contemporary, the novel as a genre, and fictional links. And every one of the 20odd essays has something illuminating to say about novels past and contemporary, the novel as a genre,and fictional links. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. On laughter and the novel book on our website in any convenient format.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. On laughter and the novel by james wood 2004, hardcover at the best online prices at. The irresponsible self by james wood overdrive rakuten. On laughter and the novel and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. He is the author of how fiction works, as well as two essay collections, the broken estate and the irresponsible self, and a. James woods first book of essays, the broken estate, established him as the. James wood the common thread in woods latest collection of essays is what makes us laugh and the book is an attempt to distinguish between the perhaps rather limited english comedy as seen in waugh, for. On laughter and the novel and millions of other books are.
Since the demise of fr leavis and his great tradition, its been unusual for literary criticism explicitly to. Philip horne is impressed by james woods call for a comedic moral seriousness in fiction. Following the collection the broken estatewhich established james wood as the leading critic of his generation the irresponsible self confirms wood s preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an appreciator of contemporary novels. On laughter and the novel paperback 1 sep 2005 by james wood author. Bring along a thesaurus and a notebook for jotting down the many memorable phrases you will encounter, and the new words youll learn as you go. On laughter and the novel of wood, james new edition on 01 september 2005 on. Buy the irresponsible self reprint by james wood isbn. On laughter and the novel, which was a finalist for. On laughter and the novel new ed by james wood isbn. Our thought processes are pure raisin theyre full of useless information but we. The irresponsible self is indispensable reading for anyone who cares about modern fiction.
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