Without a doubt, one of the great books on writing that is not non-fiction, but in fact a work of fiction. On one level, a narrative (of sorts) regarding the beginning and ending of a relationship, or what we are led to believing is a relationship. One is not sure, since we're getting the story or narrative from the author -for all I know she maybe making this all up, or it could be a demented diary of sorts. Fragmented, yet totally readable, the narrator comments on every aspect of her relationship with a younger free-spirit. She is a college professor who does translations (Lydia is a well-known and great translator) who is writing a novel. "The End of the Story" is about her relationship or at the very least, based on her affair with this younger guy. It is also the dread of finishing a novel or a work of literature. One thinks that it is due to the end of a romance, but it goes down more serious than that. So far, this is her only novel, and honestly she doesn't need to do another one -because this is very much a perfect work. Also I enjoy her short (short) stories so much, I never want her to stop that. Lydia Davis is a great American (but French loving) writer. If I was teaching writing in a class, for sure the authors I would bring up are: Richard Stark, PG Wodehouse, and of course, Lydia Davis. A writer can learn a lot from these masters.
The world of Tosh Berman. Focusing on books, and writings by Tosh Berman.
The world of Tosh Berman. Focusing on books, and writings by Tosh Berman.
The world of Tosh Berman. Focusing on books, and writings by Tosh Berman.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
"The End of the Story" a novel by Lydia Davis
Without a doubt, one of the great books on writing that is not non-fiction, but in fact a work of fiction. On one level, a narrative (of sorts) regarding the beginning and ending of a relationship, or what we are led to believing is a relationship. One is not sure, since we're getting the story or narrative from the author -for all I know she maybe making this all up, or it could be a demented diary of sorts. Fragmented, yet totally readable, the narrator comments on every aspect of her relationship with a younger free-spirit. She is a college professor who does translations (Lydia is a well-known and great translator) who is writing a novel. "The End of the Story" is about her relationship or at the very least, based on her affair with this younger guy. It is also the dread of finishing a novel or a work of literature. One thinks that it is due to the end of a romance, but it goes down more serious than that. So far, this is her only novel, and honestly she doesn't need to do another one -because this is very much a perfect work. Also I enjoy her short (short) stories so much, I never want her to stop that. Lydia Davis is a great American (but French loving) writer. If I was teaching writing in a class, for sure the authors I would bring up are: Richard Stark, PG Wodehouse, and of course, Lydia Davis. A writer can learn a lot from these masters.
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