Author
John Albert Macy
1877-1932
John Albert Macy (1877-1932) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Books by John Albert Macy
A child's guide to reading
"A child's guide to reading" by John Albert Macy is a literary guide and reading manual written in the early 20th century. Aimed at helping young readers (and those who guide them) move beyond ephemeral “juveniles” to the enduring riches of literature, it explains why and how to read, champions fiction, poetry, history, and essays, and offers practical lists and examples to steer taste toward the greats without being rigid or priggish. The opening of the work compares a good literary guide to a seasoned Maine woods guide: helpful but never a substitute for the reader’s own effort, judgment, and joy in discovery. It rejects fixed “Hundred Best Books” lists, praises the dictionary, and shows how chance encounters (Mill finding Wordsworth) can shape a life, while cautioning readers to choose books that awaken their best selves. It then argues for reading as contact with the best minds—countering “book-learning” skeptics with vivid examples (Lincoln with Shakespeare, Grant with Scott and Cooper, Napoleon’s omnivorous reading, Franklin’s formative authors)—and urges attentive, sometimes re-read, even memorized engagement. Finally it begins its long section on fiction: defending the novel (with Jane Austen’s wit), explaining plot, character, description, and style through Thackeray’s Henry Esmond, stressing the moral responsibility of storytellers (via Trollope), dissolving the romance vs. realism quarrel with examples from Scott, Dickens, and others, warning against inauthentic dialogue and flabby description, and offering calm, practical advice on choosing novels (and short stories) before launching into a substantial, varied reading list.
The Critical Game
"The Critical Game" by John Albert Macy is a collection of literary essays written in the early 20th century. The work delves into the nuances of criticism in literature, exploring the role it plays as a vital part of the artistic process rather than merely a detached analysis of works. Macy's examination spans various authors, including Shakespeare, Tolstoy, and Nietzsche, shedding light on their contributions and the subjective nature of literary critique. The opening of the book introduces the idea that criticism itself is akin to a form of literary art, distinguished by its subjective interpretations and the unique voice of the critic. Macy argues that while critics often face disdain from writers for their judgments, their task is essential to appreciating and understanding literary works. He emphasizes that good criticism should provoke thought and elicit emotional responses, much like the works it discusses, and outlines the interplay between critique and creativity, suggesting that the critic, much like the author, is engaged in a significant creative endeavor.