Wonderlands

I have no doubt that [Baxter’s] collection of craft essays will be both illuminating and beautiful. . . . A revelatory craft book is a rare and wonderful gift for a writer-slash-reader, and I look forward to devouring this one."—Jessie Gaynor, Literary Hub

“Baxter’s voice is erudite, witty, and humble, and he brings his observations together with smart quips on the writing life . . . Budding novelists, take note.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“It is always gratifying to spend time with a smart writer who has taken the time to study narrative, how it works, what the construction of stories tells us about ourselves.”—Lori Soderlind, The New York Times

“Request, inventory, disappearance, lushness, charisma. You probably won't find these terms in any writing tutorial. But in the set of sparkling essays that make up Wonderlands, celebrated Minnesota author Charles Baxter draws on this vocabulary to show how writers can put flesh on the bones of a good tale. . . . Wonderlands will take you on some fascinating jaunts.”—Tom Zelman, The Star Tribune

“Nearly every essay, including Baxter’s pieces on toxic narrative, dreams, and dramatic imagery, is hybridized with personal anecdotes that inspire, explain, and empathize.”—Joseph Peschel, The Brooklyn Rail