Book description
What makes good writing good? In his brilliant new book, Al Alvarez
argues that it is the development of the voice - voice as distinct
from style - that makes a writer great. A poet as well as a critic, Al
Alvarez approaches his subject both as an informed observer and an
insider. Here are - among others - Sylvia Plath, John Donne, Jean
Rhys, Shakespeare, T. S. Eliot, Coleridge and W. B. Yeats, dissected
with clarity, depth and a profound understanding of the mechanics of
writing. Like the best literary criticism, The Writer's Voice makes writing come vividly alive.
Written with passion and insight, it is the ideal gift for anyone who
loves to read.
 Is there a more charming literary companion than Al Alvarez? To
read this book is to feel the shutters of the mind being slowly jemmied
apart, an agonising delight ... This is a beautifully presented volume,
and a rarity among works of criticism in that it is likely to change
your behaviour. Any sane reader will give up buying books for a few
months and scamper back, shame-faced but full of excitement, to the
riches of his dusty shelves' Al Alvarez is a poet, novelist, literary
critic, anthologist, and author of many highly praised non-fiction books
on topics ranging from suicide, divorce, and dreams -
The Savage God
,
Life After Marriage
,
Night -
to poker, North Sea oil, and mountaineering -
The Biggest Game in Town
,
Offshore
,
Feeding the Rat
. His most recent books are
New and Selected Poems
and
an autobiography,
Where Did It All Go Right?
He lives in London.
