Contemporary Creative Nonfiction: The Art of Truth

By Bill Roorbach

Book Overview

The most inclusive collection of creative nonfiction available, Contemporary Creative Nonfiction: The Art of Truth is the only anthology that brings together examples of all three of the main forms in the genre: the literary memoir, the personal essay, and literary journalism. Featuring a generous and diverse sampling of more than sixty works, this collection includes beautiful, disturbing, and instructive works of literary memoir by such writers as Mary McCarthy, Annie Dillard, and Judy Ruiz; smart, funny, and moving personal essays by authors ranging from E.B. White to Phillip Lopate to Ntozake Shange; and incisive, vivid, and quirky examples of literary journalism by Truman Capote, Barbara Ehrenreich, Sebastian Junger, and many others. This unique volume also contains examples of captivating nature writing, exciting literary travel writing, brilliant essays in science, surprising creative cultural criticism, and moving literary diaries and journals, incorporating several classic selections to set a context for the contemporary work. The editor's general introduction and introductions to each of the five sections provide useful definitions, crucial history, critical context, and abundant issues to debate. Ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in creative nonfiction, literary journalism, essay writing, and all levels of composition, Contemporary Creative Nonfiction: The Art of Truth is also an essential resource for all nonfiction writers, from novices to professionals.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195135563
• ISBN13: 9780195135565
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 1.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

The Art of Truth: Contemporary Creative Nonfiction

In the murky, amorphous zone of writing known as creative nonfiction, there's a lot of room for interpretation and blind groping. Roorbach's book not only defines and provides careful guidelines for the main types of creative nonfiction, but also explains how to read them for criticism and enjoyment and includes essays from huge literary names that readers will know and find accessible. Just having the mysticism removed from this often sidestepped genre made the book worth the purchase; I am now comfortable making comments and evaluating creative nonfiction. It's invaluable for students and teachers alike as well as those who just like a good read.

Best book on Creative Nonfiction

This is an amazing book--you get all the best of nonfiction, and not just some little area some scholar or writer thinks is creative nonfiction. Roorbach is inclusive without being soft-the selections are just great writing, some of it shocking, even. And his introductions are so smart, funny, and on the money. I first got the book for a class--but it changed my life and my reading habits utterly. Enjoy!