Good Fiction Guide
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Book Summary Information
Editor: Jane RogersEditor: Lee Hermione
Editor: Mike Harris
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-01-19
ISBN: 0192806475
Number of pages: 548
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Book Reviews of Good Fiction Guide
Book Review: A Nice Guide to Accessible Fiction
Summary: 4 Stars
The first third of this chatty guide to modern and classic adult fiction is a series of essays recommending key authors and titles in 34 various genres/topics/national literatures. Each is written by a writer or editor (mostly British) with "a special interest" in the the subject, although very few are household names (the two most well known are probably crime writers Michael Didbin and Val McDermid). The essays are about four or five pages, and include a "Top 12" list of the essayist's favorites in that area. While these are somewhat fun to dip into, like all such essays they are awfully idiosyncratic, and thus need to be taken with many grains of salt.
Nonetheless, the editors should be commended for highlighting a good deal of world literature, with essays devoted to: Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, The Caribbean, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Russia, and the U.S. However, other than this particular coverage, readers should be aware that the authors and titles selected for mention have a very strong British emphasis. Authors were only included if they are well-known (in Britain), in print, or seminal to a particular topic or genre. However, while most selections may be available in the UK, some may be much harder to track down elsewhere.
The remaining two-thirds of the book are small biographies of 1,000+ authors, with indications as to their key works, and three "similar" writers. For example, if you like Nick Hornby, try Roddy Doyle, Kingsly Amis, or J.D. Salinger. On the whole, an attractive, accessible book to dip into to get some ideas of new stuff to read, but hardly the last word on the topic.
Summary of Good Fiction Guide
Wondering what to read next? Let the experts help you out. When it comes to reading, we are spoilt for choice, and that choice can be a little daunting. That's why this great guide to the world of fiction is every reader's best friend. Packed with accessible introductions to over 1,100 must-read authors and over 4,100 superb titles, the "Good Fiction Guide" is a book you'll go back to again and again, in the search for your next enthralling read. Every entry includes read-on suggestions for similar authors, helping you to discover great fiction by authors you might not have heard about before. "The Good Fiction Guide" also contains overviews by 34 best-selling authors introducing their favorite genre, and recommending their twelve favorite books. These include Nigel Williams writing about "Humour", Val McDermid introducing "Thrillers", and Michael Dibdin on "Crime". Whatever your preference, from classics to crime, history to humour, short stories to science fiction, the "Good Fiction Guide" has it all covered. This is an indispensible guide for reading groups, serious bookworms, and anyone who would like to read more.Authors Books
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