“A manifesto of sorts for anyone who makes art [and] cares for it.” —Zadie Smith“The best book I know of for talented but unacknowledged creators. . . . A masterpiece.” —Margaret Atwood“No one who is invested in any kind of art . . . can read The Gift and remain unchanged.” —David Foster WallaceBy now a modern classic, The Gift is a brilliantly orchestrated defense of the value of creativity and … orchestrated defense of the value of creativity and of its importance in a culture increasingly governed by money and overrun with commodities. This book is even more necessary today than when it first appeared.
An illuminating and transformative book, and completely original in its view of the world, The Gift is cherished by artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. It is in itself a gift to all who discover the classic wisdom found in its pages.
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A fascinating examination of the gift, through historical practice and through cultural symbolism. I found this book so rich in insight, it’s hard to know where it doesn’t apply. I especially liked the essential argument here, that works of art are gifts and not commodities. Having slugged it out with a few editors in the past who wanted to focus …
In her Masterclass series on fiction, Margaret Atwood recommended this book, so I bought a used copy of the 25th anniversary edition. From what I can see on Amazon, the book appears to only be available from third-party vendors, although there is a Kindle edition.
I’m an American, born, raised, and steeped in barter culture. There’s a joke about …