The Fun Stuff and Other Essays

This is a masterclass in the art of reading.

Robert Murphy, Metro

Wood is the most engaging of current commentators on literature.

John Sutherland, Spectator

Impressive breadth of reading (especially contemporary East Europeans here) and perceptively close attention to texts.

Peter Kemp, Sunday Times

It is a pleasure to follow his education and learn something in turn.

Economist

The gift of the great critic is to be able to explain complex concepts to the reader in a manner that is neither bamboozling nor patronising... Wood has this gift.

Andrew Anthony, Observer

Shot through with his characteristic light humour and moral seriousness, each expertly constructed paragraph rich with metaphorical insight.

David Annand, Sunday Telegraph

The minor flaws here, then, are reassurance that Wood is merely one of the finest critics around.

Peter Carty, Independent on Sunday

All these essays are shot through with his characteristic light humour and moral seriousness, each expertly constructed paragraph rich with metaphorical insight.

Telegraph

This is a book that's impossible to read without gaining a greater appreciation of what it means to write well, both in the case of the work under review and, just as pleasurably, the reviews themselves

Andrew Anthony, Observer

A passionate and instructive case for great writing.

Johanna Thomas-Corr, Evening Standard

A source of continuous enjoyment.

Craig Raine, New Statesman

The Fun Stuff displays the steely verve that makes James Wood's criticism thrilling for literature specialists and general readers alike.

Max Liu, Independent

This collection is, as the title suggests, a lot of fun. Even when you disagree with his judgements, it's impossible not to be dazzled by the breadth of his reading.

Claire Lowden, Sunday Times

[A] seriously enjoyable collection of essays by the New Yorker's resident literary critic

Sunday Telegraph

James Wood writes superbly about writing

William Leith, Evening Standard

This scintillating collection offers trenchant analysis and original insight into the works of a wide range of important writers

Mail on Sunday

Viewed through Wood's eyes, even the best-known novels appear before us looking naked and strange

Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, Guardian

[Wood's] encyclopaedic knowledge and compact, energetic prose makes him an illuminating and acerbic guide to literary giants

Big Issue in the North

[Wood] delivers some golden insights

Fachtna Kelly, Sunday Business Post

[Wood's] insight into writing is impressive and the sheer joy that he takes in others' literary dexterity is infectious

Lesley McDowell, Independent on Sunday

A panoramic look at the modern novel

Observer