John Gardner: 95 books

Three books in one volume: Advice and reflections on modern fiction from “one of the greatest creative writing teachers we’ve ever had” (Frederick Busch). In On Becoming a Novelist, John Gardner advises the aspiring fiction author on such topics as the value of creative writing workshops,...

John Gardner’s essential collection encompassing the fundamentals of fiction writing In this posthumously published collection of his essays and reviews, acclaimed novelist John Gardner discusses the craft of fiction writing, taking to task some of his best-known contemporaries in the process....

“Fearless, illuminating” criticism from a New York Times–bestselling author and legendary teacher, “proving . . . that true art is moral and not trivial” (Los Angeles Times). Novelist John Gardner’s thesis in On Moral Fiction is simple: “True art is by its nature moral.” It...

Gardner’s relentlessly honest and moving portrayal of a broken marriage, and his ambitious unfinished masterpiece—a metafictional mystery centering around one man’s struggle to recover his lost identity—together in one accomplished volume Stillness: Martin and Joan Orrick—distant...

The classic for serious fiction writers: “The book is the result of John Gardner’s twenty-odd years of teaching experience, and it shows” (Anne Tyler). In this essential guide, John Gardner advises the aspiring fiction author on such topics as the value of creative writing workshops,...

The pinnacle of Gardner’s medieval scholarship: a fascinating re-creation of the world of one of history’s greatest writers In this exquisite biography, John Gardner brings to life Geoffrey Chaucer, illuminating his writings and their inspiration like never before. Through exhaustive research...

John Gardner’s sweeping portrait of the collision of opposing philosophical perspectives in 1960s America, centering on the appearance of a mysterious stranger in a small upstate New York town One summer day, a countercultural drifter known only as the Sunlight Man appears in Batavia, New...

An iconic collection that showcases Gardner as a master craftsman navigating an uncertain world In this exceptional book, author John Gardner explores the literary form as a vehicle of vision, and creates heroes that personify his tremendous artistic ideals: A Boston schoolmaster abandons his...

  An inspired book of short stories that explores the profound relationship between life and art   While mourning the loss of his son in the Vietnam War, an Italian chef reflects on the importance of art for future generations. An American boy retreats inward after he kills...

  Gardner’s final novel: a delicate tapestry of literary genres that create a wonderfully mysterious and ambitious narrative     As Peter Mickelsson’s brilliant career as a professor at Brown University winds down, he suffers from alcoholism and is on the brink of divorce....

A shapeshifter, a stepdaughter, and a prince look for reasons to live in this stunning fable from the New York Times–bestselling author of October Light. In this wonderful fantasy, John Gardner weaves tales within tales to bring a magical world to vivid life. When three travelers on their...

  A wonderful exploration into the maturation process across the course of human life   Laid to waste by drink, Agathon, a seer, is a shell of a man. He sits imprisoned with his apprentice, Peeker, for his presumed involvement in a rebellion against the Spartan tyrant Lykourgos....

New York Times Bestseller and National Book Critics Circle Award Winner: A “dazzling” novel about the tumultuous relationship of two elderly siblings (Los Angeles Times). James is a cantankerous and conservative seventy-two-year-old who has spent his life caring for the animals on his farm....

This classic guide, from the renowned novelist and professor, has helped transform generations of aspiring writers into masterful writers—and will continue to do so for many years to come.     John Gardner was almost as famous as a teacher of creative writing as he was for his own works. In this...