tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13774780.post114178701095614542..comments2024-03-27T02:00:49.152-04:00Comments on Kate's Book Blog: Literary OutlawKate S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16897618197257393697noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13774780.post-1143775399944651172006-03-30T22:23:00.000-05:002006-03-30T22:23:00.000-05:00I knew Gardner at Bread Loaf around 30 years ago, ...I knew Gardner at Bread Loaf around 30 years ago, and he was indeed a wild man -- somewhat controlled, but man, I figured he would buy it on that motorcycle one day. He was a terrific teacher and a great guy. His <I>On Becoming a Novelist</I> is a great book. He could laugh at himself, too.<BR/><BR/>A friend of mine who went to Bread Loaf a few years later said, "Oh, he must be having a breakdown. His fingernails were filthy." No, that was just Gardner.<BR/><BR/>I had dinner a couple of years ago with one of his wives. We discussed how sad it is that the current image of Gardner is so unlike the great person he really was.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04679352468526776274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13774780.post-1142017604705331072006-03-10T14:06:00.000-05:002006-03-10T14:06:00.000-05:00i agree about "grendel." and if you're really ambi...i agree about "grendel." and if you're really ambitious, "sunlight dialogues."<BR/><BR/>i love his stodgy conservative "on moral fiction," he's great to argue with. and the other books on writing are directly inspiring.<BR/><BR/>it's too damn bad he didn't wear a helmet on his bike.james chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051535370315669813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13774780.post-1141836371543491592006-03-08T11:46:00.000-05:002006-03-08T11:46:00.000-05:00Oh, yes, he was quite the "James Dean" of academia...Oh, yes, he was quite the "James Dean" of academia. I'd start with "Grendel". It's a short, but excellent read and it contains everything that makes him a good writer: taste, energy, style, originality. If you want something a little more substantial you can try "October Light". I enjoy reading Gardner and recommend him whenever I can.Ricky Lee Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03588565441793716202noreply@blogger.com