
Great American Short Stories: A Guide for Writers and Readers
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Narrated by:
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Jennifer Cognard-Black
While short stories exist in traditions all over the world, American short stories are a genre all their own. Emerging from the clash of cultures - and the collision of oral and print traditions - that began during the arrival of European settlers in the 16th and 17th centuries, the short works that emerged have served many functions. They have entertained, certainly, but they have also helped foster identity, shape morality, and build the foundations of the American mythos for nearly four centuries.
Whether you want to write short stories, simply want better insight as a reader, or even if you are looking for a new lens through which to view American history, the 24 rich and informative lectures of Great American Short Stories: A Guide for Writers and Readers will show you the ins and outs of this infinitely adaptable - and intrinsically American - literary form. Professor Jennifer Cognard-Black of St. Mary’s College of Maryland guides you through the technical aspects of the short story, while also digging deep into the history of the form in the United States. Along the way, you will discover why the short story became so deeply connected to American identity and how it continues to evolve alongside the nation itself.
The “great American novel” is often the lofty goal of writers who want to achieve literary immortality. But from the opening sentence to the lingering denouement, American short stories can both capture the world as it is and help envision what could be. Each is unique, and yet each is a part of a larger chronicle: the story of America.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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Pleasantly surprised!
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A+
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I wanted to learn, but...
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-sigh-
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As for the lectures themselves -- I enjoyed them, but they are much more about writing than about the history of literature. A more apt title would be "How to Write Short Stories, with Examples from American Literature." When the lecturer was discussing various authors and stories, I felt like she was doing so more to illustrate her points about writing than for the works' own sake. The lectures are also heavily coloured by her subjective tastes and opinions, but that's always going to be the case in a creative writing course (or any art technique course, for that matter). If you are a creative writer, though, these lectures are well worth a listen. There are a lot of inspiring and thought-provoking points. Her way of telling stories is not the only way, but it's definitely a way that's worth exploring.
Mostly for writers. Solid advice. Not 'woke.'
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