I ordered this book recently, and even though I have not begun reading it yet (I hope to start today), the table of contents just gives me the most delicious goosebumps. So delicious that I have to share! Here:

The Short Story, as against the Novel and the Sketch
Character and Action
Fixed Action, as against Moving Action
As the Story Begins and Ends
Loss of the Last Chance to Change
Recognizing the Crucial
Naming the Moment
"Epiphany" as a Literary Term
The Inevitability of Retrospect
Enhancing the Interaction of Character and Plot
Techniques of Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing and Suspense
Techniques of Suspense
Mystery and Curiosity
Conflict and Uncertainty
Tension and Anticipation
"Agreement" in Character and Action
Movement of Character
The Character Shift, as against Movement of Character
Slick Fiction, as against Quality Fiction
Moving Characters, as against Fixed Characters
The Series Regulars, as against the Guest Stars
Types of Character
Types as Exceptions
Type Characters, as against Stock Characters
The Dichotomous Stereotype
Differentiating from Types
Knowing a Character
Motivation
The Stress Situation
The Importance and Unimportance of Plot
Selection in Plot
Scenes
Plot Structure
Beginning
Middle
Ending
Sequence and Causality
The Frame, as against the Flashback
Pattern in Plot
Choice as Technique
Point-of-View Methods
Limitations and Advantages in Point of View
When Point of View is "Wrong"
The "Question" of Point of View
Point of View and "Involvement"
The "Moved" Character and Point of View
The Focusing Power of Point of View
Monologues, and the Pathological First Person
Irony and Point of View
Setting
Style
Theme
The Short Story and the New Criticism
The American Short Story "Today"
Afterword: Writing in General


Wow!

As you say, WOW!

Let us know what it's like - you could post a review if it's good.

Dee
x

Yes, I'll definitely come back and let you know how it is after I've read it. I suppose I should write a review one way or the other. Despite wanting to start the book right away, I haven't dipped in yet, because I started Nell's book instead (The Golden Web), which has been a real treat. (Thanks Nell if you're reading this!)


Ani

Ani,

What have you purchased... a book or a complete Library? I would have thought that almost every single one of the Content titles could fill one or two volumes to cover that aspect to any depth.

I would be very interested to read any review you might produce... then I may even buy the book. However I can't help feeling that each of the Contents must be reduced to a few snippets on each subject... perhaps very useful pointers but to attempt to cover over fifty in any meaningful way seems a huge task. However we await your review.

Len

I always wonder how much more these books can give you when you get to a certain point. I'd be interested to know if this was different!

Ditto. Post the review Ani or take examples and start a new technique thread.

The titles of the chapters did look unusual and interesting. Yes, Ani, let us know about it.
Becca.

Jai, David & Becca -- I will post to this thread periodically as I am reading the book. I am reading it slow so that I can digest it well, so my posts will be well spread out. And then, when I finish, I will write a review!

Ani