How to Write Like Tolstoy

Unlike most books about writing that I've read (which is, I admit, a very short list), this book tends to avoid prescription and specific advice. Rather, it's primarily concerned with what has worked, and what hasn't in writing. The subtitle is particularly apt: Cohen focuses primarily on successful literary works and authors and his own experiences working as their editor. It embraces and encourages the diversity of literature and style, while pointing out other resources in an extensive and well-chosen bibliography.

Though it lacks a strongly resonant central theme, I think in this case it works to the book's advantage. Literature is highly diverse, and is always changing with the sensibilities of its readers. Cohen tackles the issues that he seems to be most interested in or where he's seen the most problems. This made the book all the more helpful. Rather than mechanics alone, the focus is on feel and tone, established through extensive quotations of both authors and of their writing. In doing so, he implicitly acknowledges the reality that people write and read differently from one another, and prescriptive advice will almost always fall short for some.

All in all, an excellent read for anyone interested in writing better or reading more deeply and critically.