Title
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life,New
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the Booker Prizewinning author of Lincoln in the Bardo and Tenth of December comes a literary master class on what makes great stories work and what they can tell us about ourselvesand our world today.LONGLISTED FOR THE PEN/DIAMONSTEINSPIELVOGEL AWARD ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, Time, San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Town & Country, The Rumpus, Electric Lit, Thrillist, BookPage [A] worship song to writers and readers.Oprah DailyFor the last twenty years, George Saunders has been teaching a class on the Russian short story to his MFA students at Syracuse University. In A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he shares a version of that class with us, offering some of what he and his students have discovered together over the years. Paired with iconic short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol, the seven essays in this book are intended for anyone interested in how fiction works and why its more relevant than ever in these turbulent times.In his introduction, Saunders writes, Were going to enter seven fastidiously constructed scale models of the world, made for a specific purpose that our time maybe doesnt fully endorse but that these writers accepted implicitly as the aim of artnamely, to ask the big questions, questions like, How are we supposed to be living down here? What were we put here to accomplish? What should we value? What is truth, anyway, and how might we recognize it? He approaches the stories technically yet accessibly, and through them explains how narrative functions; why we stay immersed in a story and why we resist it; and the bedrock virtues a writer must foster. The process of writing, Saunders reminds us, is a technical craft, but also a way of training oneself to see the world with new openness and curiosity.A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a deep exploration not just of how great writing works but of how the mind itself works while reading, and of how the reading and writing of stories make genuine connection possible.
By changing our most important processes and
products, we have already made a big leap forward. This ranges from the
increased use of more sustainable fibers to the use of more
environmentally friendly printing processes to the development of
efficient waste management in our value chain.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Shopify Payments, Shop Pay and more.
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Shopify Payments, Shop Pay and more.
Related Products
You may also like
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main theme of 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain'? A: The main theme of 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain' revolves around the exploration of storytelling, its mechanics, and the profound questions it raises about life and humanity.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The author of 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain' is George Saunders, a Booker Prize-winning author known for his insightful literary works.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is available in hardcover binding, ensuring durability and a premium feel.
- Q: What is the page count of the book? A: The book contains 432 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of its themes and insights.
- Q: When was 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain' published? A: The book was published on January 12, 2021.
- Q: Is this book suitable for aspiring writers? A: Yes, this book is particularly suitable for aspiring writers as it offers valuable insights into the craft of writing and storytelling techniques.
- Q: Does the book include essays on specific Russian short stories? A: Yes, the book includes essays paired with iconic short stories by Russian authors such as Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol.
- Q: What can readers expect to learn from this book? A: Readers can expect to learn about narrative techniques, the purpose of art, and how fiction can reflect and address contemporary issues.
- Q: Is the book recommended for casual readers or only for literature students? A: The book is recommended for both casual readers and literature students, as it provides accessible insights into the art of storytelling.
- Q: What awards has 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain' received? A: The book has been longlisted for the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award and has been recognized as one of the best books of the year by several prestigious publications.