A Writer's Companion

by Richard Marius

This brief guide to writing the essay and writing across the curriculum is indeed true to its title. It offers excellent advice on developing and polishing prose, with an emphasis on style and process--all with wit, charm, and intelligence.

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Richard Curry Marius was an American academic and writer.

He was a scholar of the Reformation, novelist of the American South, speechwriter, and teacher of writing and English literature at Harvard University. He was widely published, leaving behind major biographies of Thomas More and Martin Luther, four novels set in his native Tennessee, several books on writing, and a host of scholarly articles for academic journals and mainstream book reviews.

Marius was known as a raconteur and political activist.

Reviews

[Rohvannyn Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fantastic book.

I don't normally recommend books about writing as they are often dry, boring, and only moderately helpful. However, this book was not only interesting but so informative that I kept finding myself pausing to study and reread what Mr. Marius had written.

Writer's Companion is meant for non fiction essayists, though I would recommend it to fiction authors in a heartbeat. Anyone who reads this will learn about crafting great paragraphs, making thoughts clear, avoiding common cliches, writing clear prose, and much more.

The edition I wrote was from 1981, still wrapped in the plastic, and within an hour of starting to read it I considered it a treasure trove that is already one of my favorite books.

[Sherron Wahrheit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite college-level book on writing. I want a new copy since my colleague borrowed it and never returned it. The only problem--it's only available in hard copy. So, I'm now looking for an electronic book on writing to replace this one. Any recommendations? My writing has been overflowing with suckage and I need a refresher.

[Lorenza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than the professor teaching the class!

[Lloyd Thrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend Marius's gem strongly enough. My copy, full of margin notes and underlines, is a treasure to me. A work of beauty that will make you a better writer.

[Jim Manis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in prepublication format at the request of the publisher.

[ladyofthebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful and relatable read for any aspiring author!

[Brian Njoroge]

Marius has aquired a great understanding of what an author needs to do to keep readers interested in any piece of writing. Being a lecturer, he has to read all assignments his students hand in, and therefore he knows what kind of writing wastes readers' time either because it is poorly organised or because it does not answer any pertinent question.
The book is a useful tool for all especially for beginners and also for professionals who would like to communicate more effectivly.

[Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for everyone!