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joejoh's review against another edition
4.0
I came to this book with an open mind, but I was sure that I would disagree with Shivani on every point. However, Shivani makes a pretty good case for the idea that MFA writing programs have created a conservatism in American fiction. If I had one complaint, it is that the book provides plenty of great arguments with very little evidence. Having widely read many literary journals over the years, I don't need any examples, because I've seen it for myself. If I came to this book cold, however, I might find his arguments less convincing. Still, if you're a writer, and you have some background in literary theory and criticism, I recommend you read this. It's a pretty quick read. The very last essay is the most powerful, in my opinion.
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