Summary

In “Reading Like a Writer,” Francine Prose delves into the art of reading with the discerning eye of a seasoned author, offering readers a masterclass in how to dissect and appreciate literature. Prose argues that the key to becoming a better writer lies in reading—carefully, deliberately, and slowly. She challenges the notion that creative writing can’t be taught, suggesting that while innate talent may be unteachable, the craft of writing can be honed through mindful engagement with great books.

Prose invites readers to sit beside her as she embarks on a guided tour of literary masterpieces, dissecting the techniques and tricks employed by masters such as Dostoyevsky, Flaubert, Kafka, Austen, Dickens, Woolf, and Chekhov. She emphasizes the importance of paying attention to words, sentences, paragraphs, narration, character development, dialogue, details, and gestures, revealing how these elements contribute to the overall impact and enduring quality of a literary work. Through close reading and insightful analysis, Prose demonstrates how quality reading informs great writing, inspiring readers to return to literature with fresh eyes and an eager heart.

The book underscores the significance of slowing down and savoring every word, urging readers to ask themselves what each word choice conveys. Prose dissects the opening paragraphs of Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and Katherine Mansfield’s “The Daughters of the Late Colonel,” highlighting the wealth of information embedded in seemingly simple sentences. She also explores the power of metaphor, simile, and precise language in the works of Alice Munro, Richard Yates, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce, among others. The core idea emphasizes that language is the raw material out of which literature is crafted, much like a composer uses notes or a painter uses paint.

Prose champions the practice of reading carnivorously, not to steal or borrow, but to admire, absorb, and learn. She discusses the sensation of writing for an audience made up partly of the dead, urging readers to engage in otherworldly communion with literary predecessors. Through personal anecdotes and insightful commentary, Prose encourages readers to find their own literary pantheon and to seek inspiration from the works of enduring masters. Ultimately, “Reading Like a Writer” is a celebration of the power of literature to inspire, instruct, and transform both readers and writers alike.