<div>&ldquo;Fearless, illuminating&rdquo; criticism from a New York Times&ndash;bestselling author and legendary teacher, &ldquo;proving . . . that true art is moral and not trivial&rdquo; (Los Angeles Times). Novelist John Gardner&rsquo;s thesis in On Moral Fiction is simple: &ldquo;True art is by its nature moral.&rdquo; It is also an audacious statement, as Gardner asserts an inherent value in life and in art. Since the book&rsquo;s first publication, the passion behind Gardner&rsquo;s assertion has both provoked and inspired readers. In examining the work of his peers, Gardner analyzes what has gone wrong, in his view, in modern art and literature, and how shortcomings in artistic criticism have contributed to the problem. He develops his argument by showing how artists and critics can reintroduce morality and substance to their work to improve society and cultivate our morality. On Moral Fiction is an essential read in which Gardner presents his thoughtfully developed criteria for the elements he believes are essential to art and its creation. This ebook features an illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

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On Moral Fiction

<div> A wonderful exploration into the maturation process across the course of human life Laid to waste by drink, Agathon, a seer, is a shell of a man. He sits imprisoned with his apprentice, Peeker, for his presumed involvement in a rebellion against the Spartan tyrant Lykourgos. Confined to a cell, the men produce extraordinary writings that illustrate the stories of their lives and give witness to Agathon&rsquo;s deterioration and the growth of Peeker from a bashful young apprentice to a self-assured and passionate seer. Captivating and imaginative, The Wreckage of Agathon is a tribute to author John Gardner&rsquo;s passion for ancient storytelling and those universal themes that span the course of all human civilization. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

The Wreckage of Agathon

<div>This modern retelling of the ancient Greek myth is &ldquo;a brilliant achievement&rdquo; by the New York Times&ndash;bestselling author of Grendel (The Houston Post). In this magnificent epic poem, John Gardner renders his interpretation of the ancient story of Jason and Medeia. Confined in the palace of King Creon, and longing to return to his rightful kingdom Iolcus, Jason asks his wife, the sorceress Medeia, to use her powers of enchantment to destroy the tryrant King Pelias. Out of love she acquiesces, only to find that upon her return Jason has replaced her with King Creon&rsquo;s beautiful daughter, Glauce. An ancient myth fraught with devotion and betrayal, deception and ambition, Jason and Medeia is one of the greatest classical legends, and Gardner&rsquo;s masterful retelling is yet another achievement for this highly acclaimed author. </div>

Jason & Medeia

<div>A shapeshifter, a stepdaughter, and a prince look for reasons to live in this stunning fable from the New York Times&ndash;bestselling author of October Light. In this wonderful fantasy, John Gardner weaves tales within tales to bring a magical world to vivid life. When three travelers on their way to the Suicide Mountains meet an enigmatic man, the Abbot of the Ancient Monastery, they begin a series of wild adventures in which they must confront mystical creatures&mdash;and come to terms with the roles fate has determined for each of them. Superbly imagined and brimming with philosophical insight, In the Suicide Mountains is a tribute to Gardner&rsquo;s passion for medieval storytelling, and an unforgettable novel in its own right. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.</div>

In the Suicide Mountains

<div> John Gardner&rsquo;s sweeping portrait of the collision of opposing philosophical perspectives in 1960s America, centering on the appearance of a mysterious stranger in a small upstate New York town One summer day, a countercultural drifter known only as the Sunlight Man appears in Batavia, New York. Jailed for painting the word &ldquo;LOVE&rdquo; across two lanes of traffic, the Sunlight Man encounters Fred Clumly, a sixty-four-year-old town sheriff. Throughout the course of this impressive narrative, the dialogue between these two men becomes a microcosm of the social unrest that epitomized America during this significant historical period&mdash;and culminates in an unforgettable ending. Beautifully expansive and imbued with exceptional social insight, The Sunlight Dialogues is John Gardner&rsquo;s most ambitious work andestablished him as one of the most important fiction writers in post&ndash;World War II America. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

Overdrive

The Sunlight Dialogues

<div>Four tales of fantasy from a twentieth-century literary master&mdash;selected as the 1975 New York Times Outstanding Book for Children John Gardner&rsquo;s first children&rsquo;s book takes the traditional fairy tale and turns it on its head. In the title story, a meddlesome dragon meets his match. &ldquo;The Tailor and the Giant&rdquo; tells the story of a cowardly man who finally faces his fears. A villainous beast of burden attempts to rid himself of his master in &ldquo;The Miller&rsquo;s Mule.&rdquo; And in &ldquo;The Last Piece of Light,&rdquo; a brave young chimney-sweep saves the world from darkness.Filled with irreverent twists on the classic elements of princes and princesses, witches and wizards, and the magical realms that they inhabit, Dragon, Dragon is a collection of fun and fantastic tales to be cherished by readers of all ages.</div>

Dragon, Dragon

<div>The classic children&rsquo;s collection: four fantastical stories filled with wit and wisdom, humor and heart In this wonderful collection of fairy tales, John Gardner turns a timeless tradition into a topsy-turvy whirlwind. In the title story, a kindly simpleton unwittingly becomes sovereign of an avian race. A wicked witch seeks a new profession&mdash;and, thus, identity&mdash;in &ldquo;The Witch&rsquo;s Wish.&rdquo; In &ldquo;The Pear Tree,&rdquo; a sweet young boy is rewarded for his good deeds. And &ldquo;The Gnome and the Dragon&rdquo; presents a realm so mixed-up not even the reader can distinguish reality from illusion. With tongue-in-cheek wit and laugh-out-loud humor, Gardner has created a world that will delight readers of all ages.</div>

The King of the Hummingbirds

<div>John Gardner&rsquo;s classic fairy-tale collection depicts a world where anything can happen&mdash;and often doesA humble thistle girl, a wise old philosopher, a hapless woodchopper, and an unscrupulous king&mdash;these are the vivid protagonists of Gardner&rsquo;s masterful book for children. Richly and humorously drawn, they face challenges at every turn. And in a realm where any one of these unconventional heroes might triumph, the reader will delight in expecting the unexpected! Inventive and illustrative, entertaining and edifying, these four stories demonstrate the quirky challenges of distinguishing between good and evil and living happily ever after.</div>

Gudgekin the Thistle Girl

<div>The classic for serious fiction writers: &ldquo;The book is the result of John Gardner&rsquo;s twenty-odd years of teaching experience, and it shows&rdquo; (Anne Tyler). In this essential guide, John Gardner advises the aspiring fiction author on such topics as the value of creative writing workshops, the developmental stages of literary growth, and the inevitable experience of writer&rsquo;s block. Drawn from his two decades of experience in creative writing, Gardner balances his compassion for his students with his knowledge of the publishing industry, and truthfully relates his experiences of the hardships that lie ahead for aspiring authors. On Becoming a Novelist is a must-read for those dedicated to the craft and profession of fiction writing. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.</div>

On Becoming a Novelist

<div> The bestselling story of a king&rsquo;s crusade to vanquish the Devil and to defeat the monster in each of us A visiting lecturer is lured to the remote, gothic mansion of an estranged professor and his only son, who is described as a monster. But soon, the visitor enters an enchanting new world when he begins reading the son&rsquo;s hidden manuscript. Part history, part myth, the story conjures a sixteenth-century Sweden in which good and evil clash for the ultimate prize. To attain the throne, the protagonist, Gustav Vasa, accepts the Devil&rsquo;s counsel, but to remain in power and rule justly, he must drive the Devil underground. This sweeping, masterful tale transports us from the wasted mining hills of Dalarna to the frozen northern country of the Lapps&mdash;and into the very heart of the struggle over what it means to be human. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

Freddy's Book

<div>New York Times Bestseller and National Book Award Finalist: In an upstate New York town, a man tries to save a teenage girl&mdash;and his own soul. Henry Soames runs a diner in an eccentric rural community in the Catskills. He is anxious and overweight, and at age forty-two, suffers from poor health. When Callie Wells, Soames&rsquo;s seventeen-year-old employee, is impregnated by a local boy on his way to college, it becomes apparent that both are in need of a little help. After an unsuccessful attempt to find Callie a husband, Henry accepts the role. But soon after the improbable marriage commences, strange events occur in the small town, and Henry&rsquo;s pursuit of personal salvation begins. Written by the author of October Light and The Sunlight Dialogues, Nickel Mountain is a wonderfully conceived narrative about one man&rsquo;s search for fulfillment in a lonely world. &ldquo;There is enough life here for several novels . . . Nickel Mountain is worth the trip.&rdquo; &mdash;Chicago Sun-Times This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.</div>

Nickel Mountain

<div> A passionate portrait of a family&rsquo;s attempts to understand the meaning behind personal tragedy When Professor James Chandler learns he is dying from leukemia, he moves his family to his childhood home in Batavia, New York. There, surrounded by loved ones&mdash;both new and old&mdash;the immediacy of Chandler&rsquo;s illness strikes them with new force, and the limitations of his mortality become painfully clear. Rich and moving, and imbued with insight, The Resurrection is a poignant story of love in the face of the ultimate tragedy. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

The Resurrection

<div> Gardner&rsquo;s final novel: a delicate tapestry of literary genres that create a wonderfully mysterious and ambitious narrative As Peter Mickelsson&rsquo;s brilliant career as a professor at Brown University winds down, he suffers from alcoholism and is on the brink of divorce. Seeking a new start, Mickelsson moves to an old farmhouse in the Pennsylvania countryside to take a position at Bingham University. But when mysterious supernatural events begin to occur, it becomes clear that these new surroundings will not provide a refuge for this troubled man, but rather prompt an introspective look into the ultimate value of his life&rsquo;s work. With distinctive style and linguistic mastery, author John Gardner weaves together a string of extraordinary plots that culminate in an unforgettable conclusion. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

Mickelsson's Ghosts

<div>New York Times Bestseller and National Book Critics Circle Award Winner: A &ldquo;dazzling&rdquo; novel about the tumultuous relationship of two elderly siblings (Los Angeles Times).James is a cantankerous and conservative seventy-two-year-old who has spent his life caring for the animals on his farm. His widowed older sister, Sally, has strong liberal ideals and a propensity for debate. When Sally&rsquo;s bankruptcy forces her to move in with her brother, their lifelong feud quickly escalates&mdash;and Sally becomes a prisoner in her own room with nothing to survive on but apples and a trashy novel about marijuana smugglers. As Sally becomes immersed in the book, the story envelops the narrative of the siblings&rsquo; dysfunctional relationship, and Gardner explores a wide array of themes from human autonomy to self-definition to political extremism. The result is a tour de force of Gardner&rsquo;s unique literary style at the height of his protean creative powers. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.</div>

October Light

<div>The classic work on the art of fiction by the &ldquo;refreshingly unpredictable&rdquo; novelist and literary critic (Publishers Weekly)In this posthumously published collection of his essays and reviews, acclaimed novelist John Gardner discusses the craft of fiction writing, taking to task some of his best-known contemporaries in the process. Gardner criticizes some for writing disingenuous fiction, and commends others who produce literature that acts as a life-affirming force. He offers insights into and exacting critiques on such writers as Vladimir Nabokov, John Updike, Saul Bellow, and John Cheever, while addressing his personal influences and delivering broad-ranging observations on literary culture. Provocative and poignant, On Writers &amp; Writing is a must-read for both aspiring writers and careful readers of American literature. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.</div>

On Writers & Writing

<div>An inspired book of short stories that explores the profound relationship between life and art While mourning the loss of his son in the Vietnam War, an Italian chef reflects on the importance of art for future generations. An American boy retreats inward after he kills his younger brother in a farming accident, finding solace in classical music and a friendship with his teacher. Placing the artist at the center of his stories, Gardner produces a series of beautiful moments where art must act as a life-affirming force&mdash;and creates a collection of poignant narratives as a result. In The Art of Living, author John Gardner brings his most significant themes to life with stunning eloquence and masterful narration. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.</div>

The Art of Living

<div>Gardner&rsquo;s relentlessly honest and moving portrayal of a broken marriage, and his ambitious unfinished masterpiece&mdash;a metafictional mystery centering around one man&rsquo;s struggle to recover his lost identity&mdash;together in one accomplished volumeStillness:Martin and Joan Orrick&mdash;distant cousins who have known each other since early childhood&mdash;are in the final throes of a failing marriage. Martin is a compulsive drinker who obsesses about his writing, and Joan is struggling with a debilitating physical condition. Together they search for some type of collective identity, and identify where the dissolution of their love began. Inspired by therapy sessions Gardner experienced with his first wife, Stillness is an insightful portrait of one couple&rsquo;s struggle for fulfillment in a tumultuous world. Private detective Gerald Craine is pursuing an unknown murderer. At the same time, he himself is the target of an unknown person&rsquo;s pursuit. Stumbling through an alcohol-soaked haze, Craine desperately seeks meaning and understanding in a world fraught with fragmented narratives. Shadows:John Gardner&rsquo;s friend Nicholas Delbanco has supplemented this unfinished novel with seven sections from Gardner&rsquo;s original manuscript that provide critical insight into Gardner&rsquo;s approach to developing the novel and its characters, giving a rare glimpse inside the creative process of one of the twentieth century&rsquo;s most inventive writers. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

Stillness & Shadows

<div> An iconic collection that showcases Gardner as a master craftsman navigating an uncertain worldIn this exceptional book, author John Gardner explores the literary form as a vehicle of vision, and creates heroes that personify his tremendous artistic ideals: A Boston schoolmaster abandons his dreams of owning a farmhouse in rural Illinois only to be taken on a voyage across the seas and into self-discovery, faith, and love; an artist&rsquo;s rapturous enthusiasm inspires an aging university professor to approach life&rsquo;s chaotic moments as opportunities for creation. Each of these stories is wonderful in its own right, and provides valuable insight into the author&rsquo;s literary beliefs. Written just prior to his critical masterwork, On Moral Fiction, The King&rsquo;s Indian is a must-read for those interested in learning more about Gardner&rsquo;s highly controversial artistic philosophies. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

The King's Indian

<div> The pinnacle of Gardner&rsquo;s medieval scholarship: a fascinating re-creation of the world of one of history&rsquo;s greatest writers In this exquisite biography, John Gardner brings to life Geoffrey Chaucer, illuminating his writings and their inspiration like never before. Through exhaustive research and expert storytelling, Gardner takes readers through Chaucer&rsquo;s varied career&mdash;from writing The Canterbury Tales to performing diplomatic work at the Parliament&mdash;and creates a fully realized portrait of an author whose work would remake the English language forever. Written with passion and insight, this a must-read for those interested in Chaucer and the medieval time period. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives. </div>

The Life & Times of Chaucer

<div>Three books in one volume: Advice and reflections on modern fiction from &ldquo;one of the greatest creative writing teachers we&rsquo;ve ever had&rdquo; (Frederick Busch). In On Becoming a Novelist, John Gardner advises the aspiring fiction author on such topics as the value of creative writing workshops, the developmental stages of literary growth, and the inevitable experience of writer&rsquo;s block. Drawn from his two decades of experience in creative writing, Gardner balances his compassion for his students with his knowledge of the publishing industry, and truthfully relates his experiences of the hardships that lie ahead for aspiring authors. In On Writers &amp; Writing, acclaimed novelist John Gardner discusses the craft of fiction writing, taking to task some of his best-known contemporaries in the process. Gardner criticizes some for writing disingenuous fiction, and commends others who produce literature that acts as a life-affirming force. He offers insights into and exacting critiques on such writers as Vladimir Nabokov, John Updike, Saul Bellow, and John Cheever, while addressing his personal influences and delivering broad-ranging observations on literary culture. And in On Moral Fiction, John Gardner&rsquo;s thesis is simple: &ldquo;True art is by its nature moral.&rdquo; Since the book&rsquo;s first publication, the passion behind Gardner&rsquo;s assertion has both provoked and inspired readers. In examining the work of his peers, Gardner analyzes what has gone wrong, in his view, in modern art and literature, and how shortcomings in artistic criticism have contributed to the problem. He develops his argument by showing how artists and critics can reintroduce morality and substance to their work to improve society and cultivate our morality.</div>

John Gardner
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Books By John Gardner (20 Books)