Arcade or How to Write a Novel

by Gordon Lish

This is Gordon Lish working the ground he works so well, tilling the soil of memory. From childhood he recalls the elusive prizes at the penny arcade, the lonely-looking yellow flowers that lined the sidewalk to Aunt Lily's house, and the apple strudel at Laurel in the Pines. As an adult, his concerns aren't as simple.
This is a litany of Lish history -- told at a frenetic pace and in a style that elucidates the connection between the experience and the description -- a laundry list of disappointments, frustrations, and sorrows, all of which define the man and the writer.

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Gordon Jay Lish is an American writer. As a literary editor, he championed many American authors, particularly Raymond Carver, Barry Hannah, Amy Hempel, and Richard Ford.

Reviews

[M. Sarki · Rating 5 out of 5]

…In all reality, I am just as, you know, as pathetic as you are. If I told you some of the things I could tell you, what is the first thing you would say to yourself? You would say to yourself yes yes he is the author of this but he is just as pathetic as we ourselves are…

Please read my creative review of this fine book here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/msarki/...

[Deena · Rating 3 out of 5]

woah