Dogs Bark, but the Caravan Rolls On: Observations Then and Now

by Frank Conroy

The author provides an autobiographical collection of his commentaries on life, music, and writing from the New York Times Magazine, Harper's Magazine, Esquire, and GQ, revealing his lifelong dreams and aspirations over three decades of exceptional journalism. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Memoir, Essays

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2002

About the author

Frank Conroy was an American author, born in New York, New York to an American father and a Danish mother. He published five books, including the highly acclaimed memoir Stop-Time, published in 1967, which ultimately made Conroy a noted figure in the literary world. The book was nominated for the National Book Award.
Conroy graduated from Haverford College, and was director of the influential Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa for 18 years, from 1987 until 2005, where he was also F. Wendell Miller Professor. He was previously the director of the literature program at the National Endowment for the Arts from 1982–1987.
Conroy's published works included: the moving memoir Stop-Time; a collection of short stories, Midair; a novel, Body and Soul, which is regarded as one of the finest evocations of the experience of being a musician; a collection of essays and commentaries, Dogs Bark, but the Caravan Rolls On: Observations Then and Now; and a travelogue, Time and Tide: A Walk Through Nantucket. His fiction and non-fiction appeared in such journals as The New Yorker, Esquire, GQ, Harper's Magazine and Partisan Review. He was named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.
In addition to writing, Conroy was an accomplished jazz pianist, winning a Grammy Award in 1986. His book Dogs Bark, But the Caravan Rolls On: Observations Then and Now includes articles that describe jamming with Charles Mingus and with Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. The latter session occurred when Conroy was writing about the Rolling Stones for Esquire. Conroy had arrived at a mansion for the interview, found nobody there, and eventually sat down at a grand piano and began to play. Someone wandered in, sat down at the drums, and joined in with accomplished jazz drumming; then a fine jazz bassist joined in. They turned out to be Watts and Wyman, whom Conroy did not recognize until they introduced themselves after the session.
Conroy died of colon cancer on April 6, 2005, in Iowa City, Iowa, at the age of 69.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Co...

Reviews

[Matthew Pennell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but ultimately forgettable collection of essays and articles by the famous writing tutor.

[John Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct and essential aid for anyone serious about writing good fiction. Reading it, one sees ways to internalize the role of editor, but also the wisdom--in addition--of seeking out someone who can provide your work the rigorous edit it needs. I also love how Conroy lays out that writers need to anticipate and honor the participation/partnership/ownership of the reader in bringing fiction to life...

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid collection of essays by Frank Conroy. Conroy writes well especially about jazz music. I came away with a much better understanding of what it takes to become an accomplished player. He is also very articulate about the craft of writ

[carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally enjoyable.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say I admired this book more so than enjoyed reading it, if that makes sense. The prose is crisp and sharp and clean, and exactly the sort of thing Frank preached about all the time in class; it looks effortless, but it has obviously been worked really hard. And it's a very authoritative voice. It's just that some of the essays were dull, although I admit I'm the wrong audience for the jazz essays, in general, ( I did like the first one about W. Marsalis). The workshop essay, the pool one, and the one about men falling in love-- they were really good.

[Margaret Wappler]

At first, his essays seem deceptively simple and clear. They make you think, "I could do this." But they're really tricky, some serious craft. He has this essay about falling in love and I know that sounds like the corniest and/or most giant thing to write about but he totally pulls it off. Its one of the most romantic and smart things I've ever read.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars. Writing about jazz makes me want to duck and cover for some reason, but the essay on the Workshop seems like a great thing for uncredentialed writing teachers of the future (ie, me) to photocopy and give their students. Also, the one about pool is pretty great.

[Joshua D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very touching essays in here.