Kent Morgan recommended John McPhee’s Draft No. 4 a little over a month ago. I managed to acquire a copy and finally got around to read it. I’ve always been a fan of John McPhee’s writing. Here’s McPhee on interviewing Richard Burton: “Burton was even easier to interview than Woody Allen because he interviewed himself. You just listened, and wrote down what he said.” (p. 111). McPhee writes about his work with Time magazine. I loved his stories about interviewing the mercurial Jackie Gleason for a Time cover story. Hilarious! McPhee also writes about dealing with the prissy William Shawn, editor of The New Yorker. Very funny! Will you learn to be a better writer by reading Draft No. 4? I hope so. But, if you don’t you’ll at least be entertained by McPhee’s tales of writing for great magazines. Thanks, Kent! I enjoyed every page! GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Progression — 3
Structure — 17
Elicitation — 91
Frame of Reference — 115
Checkpoints — 129
Draft No. 4 — 157
Omission –177
While Wallace Shawn could be described as “prissy,” it was his father William who was the New Yorker editor. But you knew that.
I like McPhee and have read a lot of his books, though nothing in recent years. I will look for this one.
Jeff, oops! I’m enjoying Wallace Shawn in YOUNG SHELDON. He was also very good as a recurring character in DEEP SPACE NINE.
We saw him last night in an episode of THE GOOD FIGHT, where he plays a much darker character than usual, and we watched THE PRINCESS BRIDE (“Inconceivable!”) again last week.
Jeff, yes, who can forget Wallace Shawn’s brilliant performance in THE PRINCESS BRIDE!
I tried to read the PRINCESS BRIDE once, and only got through about 30 pages. I thought it was awful.
Rick, have you tried to watch the movie version of THE PRINCESS BRIDE?
No. If I didn’t like the book, why try the movie, which is supposed to be “wacky”?
Rick, sometimes I’m in the mood for a wacky book or movie.
Shawn was also a recurring character in Murphy Brown
Maggie, you’re right. I remember Wallace Shawn as an annoying character on MURPHY BROWN called Stuart Best.
I never tried to read “The Princess Bride” but, after years of hearing people rave about it I finally saw the movie and was left wondering what the fuss was all about.
Michael, I think the cast and the loopiness of the plot of THE PRINCESS BRIDE gained the movie a lot of admirers over the years.
Agree with Michael.
I saw the movie and liked it a lot! Sorry to ruin my grumpy reputation!
Bob, the First Edition of THE PRINCESS BRIDE is worth a lot of money.