The Friday Book: Essays and Other Nonfiction - Softcover

Barth, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0399512098 ISBN 13: 9780399512094

Publisher: Perigee Trade, 1985

Synopsis

"Whether discussing modernism, postmodernism, semiotics, Homer, Cervantes, Borges, blue crabs or osprey nests, Barth demonstrates an enthusiasm for the life of the mind, a joy in thinking (and in expressing those thoughts) that becomes contagious... A reader leaves The Friday Book feeling intellectually fuller, verbally more adept, mentally stimulated, with algebra and fire of his own."--Washington Post

Barth's first work of nonfiction is what he calls "an arrangement of essays and occasional lectures, some previously published, most not, most on matters literary, some not, accumulated over thirty years or so of writing, teaching, and teaching writing." With the full measure of playfulness and erudition that he brings to his novels, Barth glances into his crystal ball to speculate on the future of literature and the literature of the future. He also looks back upon historical fiction and fictitious history and discusses prose, poetry, and all manner of letters: "Real letters, forged letters, doctored letters... and of course alphabetical letters, the atoms of which the universe of print is made."

"The pieces brought together in The Friday Book reflect Mr. Barth's witty, playful, and engaging personality... They are lively, sometimes casual, and often whimsical--a delight to the reader, to whom Mr. Barth seems to be writing or speaking as a learned friend."--Kansas City Star

"No less than Barth's fiction these pieces are performances, agile, dexterous, robust, offering the cerebral delights of playful lucidity."--Richmond News Leader

About this title

Review:

A classic collection of essays now published in a new edition (with a new afterword by the author), The Friday Book was the first work of nonfiction by novelist John Barth, author of The Sot-Weed Factor, Giles Goat-Boy, and Chimera. Taking its title from the day of the week Barth would devote to nonfiction, the three dozen essays discuss a wide range of topics from the blue crabs of Barth's beloved Chesapeake Bay to weighty literary subjects such as Borges, Homer, and semiotics. Even when taking on serious matters, Barth's essays are shrewd, playful, and often very funny.

Book Description:

"[The] pieces that make up The Friday Book... have a consistent tone of warm personal enthusiasm that is often beguiling." -- Walter Kendrick

About this edition

• Publisher: Perigee Trade
• Publication date: 1985
• ISBN 10: 0399512098
• ISBN 13: 9780399512094
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 281