A Line Out for a Walk: Familiar Essays

by Joseph Epstein

'A writer at the top of his powers in these serious, funny, pleasantly unpredictable musings.' -Publishers Weekly

Genres: Essays, Nonfiction

332 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Joseph Epstein is the author of, among other books, Snobbery, Friendship, and Fabulous Small Jews. He has been editor of American Scholar and has written for the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Commentary, Town and Country, and other magazines.

Reviews

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection was published in 1991, a few years before I took a class on Willa Cather from its author. (Prof.) Epstein was one of my favorite teachers, and the reasons he was an engaging and effective instructor are clear in his writing. He is witty and self-deprecating, as well as whip-smart and impossibly well-read. These essays are both personal and public, on topics ranging from health to hat-wearing. He was always a pleasure to be around, and I enjoyed having his voice in my head for a little while more.

[Anna H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epstein is another one of my writing heroes. His writing is graceful, witty, and relatable. He has a gift for pulling smart, humorous essays out of the mundane minutiae of life that I both envy and attempt to emulate.

[Tom van Veenendaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps Epstein's finest collection of essays -- which is high praise.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy has fun as he writes. Ever a zinger, and a wry point to be attentive for, as his Dear Reader. "Current-day Montaigne" said a pithy Goodreads reviewer, and I couldn't agree more. A Line Out riffs include books, collecting, health cares, The South, and yes, Quotatious! As Wallace and Grommet might just have said, "A Grand Day Out."

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The personal essays collected in A Line Out for a Walk are a delight. Some have aged better than others, the ones on health and reading seem almost prophetic today. The collection builds to the end, some of the earlier essays lingered too long on topics I was less than interested in though Epstein's writing, his literary quotation and small personal revelations, carried me through those particular pieces. The last five - on envy, reading, gossip, money, and healthcare are true joys. And probably better, after what he notes in the chapter on bores, than talking to him over dinner.

[Michael Dworaczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this book to end. That's probably why it took me so long to read it. Joseph Epstein is one of the finest essayists I know. Who else could take such a mundane topic as "hats," and leave you feeling you just learned something valuable and special? Each essay is a work of art, worth many re-reads.

[Hal O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epstein was editor of "The American Scholar" before Anne Fadiman. I didn't learn that until he'd already left, more's the pity.

His essay in this collection, "The Bore Wars," is all about the many ways to be a bore. Half the time I regard it as a caution to myself; half the time, a post-mortem. Alas.

[Tommy Salami · Rating 3 out of 5]

4.5

I read about half the essays in this book and found all of them interesting and expertly written. it's amazing how many great quotations and insights there are on nearly every page. Joseph Epstein is definitely one of my favorite writers.

[Bill]

Epstein was the editor of the American Scholar for a couple decades and has perfected the familiar essay form.

[Albie]

A Line Out for a Walk: Familiar Essays by Joseph Epstein (1992)