3 Minutes or Less: Life Lessons from America's Greatest Writers

by Pen Faulkner Foundation (Editor), Pen/Faulkner Foundation (Editor)

An anthology of never-before-published short essays by America's literary greats. Each October at the PEN Gala, well-known authors take the stage of the Folger Shakespeare Library's Theatre to ponder the meaning of such universal mysteries as "obsession," "illusion," "first love," and more. Each author is given only three minutes or less to speak. The results have been unpredictable--clever, confessional, inspiring, hilarious, profound, and all of them entertaining. These essays have been transcribed for the first time, and comprise this unique anthology. Among the authors Russell Banks, T. Coraghessan Boyle, Annie Dillard, Gail Godwin, Allan Gurganus, Jane Hamilton, Alice Hoffman, Susan Isaacs, Charles Johnson, William Kennedy, Chang-rae Lee, Larry McMurtry, Sue Miller, Joyce Carol Oates, George Plimpton, Francine Prose, Maurice Sendak, Anita Shreve, Jane Smiley, William Styron, Deborah Tannen, John Edgar Wideman.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Essays

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2000

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ever confession from Robert Olen Butler. Brilliant and unexpected. Many others are really goos but his is great.

[Daina · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some real gems in this collection. I love George Plimpton's obsession with fireworks. Francine Prose's first sentence rings true: "In many ways there is nothing more boring than obsession." Jane Hamilton, when asked to speak on endings, instead began her talk/essay with "I'm here in praise of middles."

[Norina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a guilty pleasure, like eating a box of chocolates all in one sitting. Delicious, but at times sickeningly sweet. Several gems here, but beware. What kind of life lessons can really be condensed into three minutes?

[Mitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book put together on the premise that very good American writers could all submit a 3 minute piece to present at the Pen Faulkner Foundation's once a year meeting. There are over 125 entries that were given as speeches then published here.

The entries were originally requested under certain categories like "Illusions", "Obsessions", "First Love" and so on. Some pieces have only a passing acquaintance with their theme.

This is a good book to read if you know you'll have lots of potential interruptions since each piece is only remotely related to any other.

Unfortunately, I found most of the short writings had disappeared pretty thoroughly from my memory in less time than it took to read them.

However...

Near the end of this 369 page odyssey, I ran across a very short sentence that I found very profound. This I am taking as justification to read all sorts of things in the hopes of finding a genuine jewel amongst the rhinestones.

It was this: "Nothing is ours to keep." -Lorene Cary

It may not be a comforting statement, but it surely is worth considering longer than a few moments.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really couldn't get into it. There were a few essays that were very good, but they were mixed in with a lot that weren't so good. I ran out of patience with it. Don't think this is the kind of book to sit down and read straight through, may be better suited to reading a few here and there.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Essays in 3-minutes or less, written by prominent writers. Not every essay was created equal, but it certainly inspires some great writing exercises.

[Austin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this English class in College. I didnt find it very intresting. Alot of pointless stories.

[Dan Secor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great moments. Recommended for anyone who wants to dive into the brains of some great authors.