A Line Out For a Walk

by Joesph Epstein

“[His] way with the familiar essay―that flexible, forgiving genre in which anything goes except charmlessness and anonymity―has much in common with that of Messrs, Beerbohm, Liebling, and Mencken. Each piece is exquisitely sustained, moving from point to point with the relaxed economy of a pro.” ― Wall Street Journal Paul Klee's words on his art, "I take a line out for a walk," describe precisely what the author of these essays does―he takes out such "lines" as gossip, gambling, height (or the lack of it), hats, smoking, fame or compulsive reading and "walks them" in his own discursive style.

Genres: Essays, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Andria]

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.]

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]

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

[Joshua Johnson]

It's all there. The light, witty, airy prose. The sparkling insight. The pithy turn of phrase on angles of thought about a variety of human subjects. Epstein is in rare form here. 5/5

[Joe]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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)