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"On Writing" by Stephen King

11/18/2013

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Title: On Writing
Author: Stephen King
# of pages: 291
Date published: 2000
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 


Stephen King is arguably one of the most successful and popular writers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, best known for his horror/science-fiction/fantasy novels and short stories. But people often forget that in order to land his books on the bestseller list, he knows quite a lot about writing itself. In his book On Writing, King remarks that at talks and signings, although people ask about the stories and the characters and his success, they rarely ask about the language, the writing, the craft.

On Writing is part memoir, part instruction, and part book list, all coming together to create a solid, entertaining, and ultimately very useful book about writing. King opens with a brief story of his life, from childhood to adulthood, and everything that made him the writer he is today. He makes sure to detail his struggles, which encourages us that even the most successful writers received rejection once, or more accurately, multiple times. The storytelling is engaging and funny, then seamlessly transitions into the instructional section. King breaks down different aspects of writing, focusing on writing fiction, his forte (although based on this book, one could argue that his non-fiction skills are just as impressive). King also discusses dialogue, description, back story, symbolism, and countless other writing techniques, in sections full of advice, humor, and encouragement.

Every aspiring writer, as well as those simply hoping to improve their grades in a creative writing class, should read On Writing. In addition to being helpful and inspiring, the book is, like so much of King’s fiction, well written, funny, and most importantly, a good story.



Review by Caitlin Mason, A&S '16

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"The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

4/27/2013

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Title: The Devil in the White City 
Author: Erik Larson
Genre: Non-fiction     
Pages:
Date published:
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended: Yes!





I read The Devil in the White City at the recommendation of my best friend; after a year of raving about this “must-read,” she finally convinced me this year,, and now I understand why she liked it so much. The book takes place in the late 1800s, during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, In the midst of this occasionally overwhelming backdrop, the story keeps its focus by centering on two men, an architect and a psychopath, who seem to have no relation to each other; but as the story unfolds, the reader discovers that their lives are become intricately tied together by the World’s Fair. The architect, Daniel Hudson Burnham, dreamed of designing a fair  that would rival the Eiffel tower and attract visitors from across the world, a dream that would challenge both Burnham  and his team of talented architects, including Fredrick Law Olmsted, Charles McKim, and Louis Sullivan. The psychopath, H.H. Holmes, used the excitement and attraction of the fair to keep his series of murders unnoticed, building a hotel where he could trap visitors and torture them. Larson’s characterization brings the history to life – the wholesome, driven Burnham and the charming but evil Holmes  both emerge as deep characters in an almost novelistic sense:,, historical figures, that the reader knows well by story’s end.

The Devil in the White City was not a difficult read and grabbed my attention from the very beginning with the introduction of Burnham and the World’s Fair. Since I grew up near Chicago and am familiar with the city, I was especially interested in the history of the fair and now I would love to visit what remains of the event. Even for those hailing from other states, this book  captivates because of the history involved; sometimes it seems hard to believe that these events really happened. I found The Devil in the White City impossible to put down once I picked it up. Apart from the  suspense, Larson’s decision to alternate between the perspectives of each chapter, kept me interested.

Ultimately, I would describe The Devil in the White City as nonfiction for fiction-readers. Anyone who enjoys art and architecture would also enjoy this book, as would those interested in psychopathology, murder mystery, or  the development of Chicago would also enjoy this. Pulling together all his research from primary sources Erik Larson created a unique and book. 





Review by Colleen Brady, A&S '16


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"Dark Places" by Gillian Flynn

11/13/2012

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Title: Dark Places
Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Thrillers / Suspense
Number of Pages: 368
Date Published: 2010
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I long ago abandoned reading mysteries because it began to seem that they all followed the same overdone formula.  It doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to predict the ending of most mysteries, even after reading just a few chapters.  There are always exceptions to the rule, however. My interest in Gillian Flynn was sparked while working at a bookstore this summer. Customer after customer came in asking for the author’s books, so I eventually decided to give her a chance and picked up Dark Places.  I was surprised to find myself so quickly enthralled in the dark, twisted story of the Day family.  The story is told through the eyes of Libby Day, the youngest of four siblings.  When Libby was just seven years old, she became famous for testifying against her brother when the rest of the family was brutally and mysteriously murdered in what comes to be known as the “Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.”  Libby is approached by a strange organization called the Kill Club, whose interests lie, as you may have guessed, in unsolved murders.  Funded by this club, she delves back into her past to discover what really happened to her family and determine whether her brother, who she previously accused of the murder, is truly guilty.  In this process, Libby yet again finds herself in grave danger and must escape the clutches of a murderer.  I loved this book because it was a ridiculously fun but dark read with an interesting premise that didn’t disappoint.  Flynn is a talented writer and deserves the great buzz she has received for her novels Dark Places, Sharp Objects, and her most recent bestseller, Gone Girl.  If you love mysteries and thrillers but want to read something fresh, I highly recommend this book.


Review by Maria Peroni, A&S '16


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