A Swim in the Pond in the Rain

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From the 'New York Times' bestselling, Booker Prize-winning author comes a literary master class on the mechanics of great storytelling and its relevance to our lives today. For two decades, George Saunders has taught a class on the Russian short story at Syracuse University. In this work, he shares insights from that class, paired with iconic stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol. The seven essays aim to engage anyone curious about how fiction operates and its importance in contemporary society. Saunders introduces the essays by inviting readers to explore intricately constructed narratives that address fundamental questions about life: How should we live? What are our purposes? What do we value? He examines stories with both technical precision and accessibility, revealing how narrative captivates us or provokes resistance, while highlighting essential virtues for writers. Writing, he argues, is not only a technical skill but also a means of cultivating openness and curiosity about the world. This exploration delves into the cognitive processes involved in reading and writing, emphasizing how stories foster genuine connections.