A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
George Saunders shares his acclaimed Syracuse University MFA class on the Russian short story, offering insights into the craft of fiction. Paired with classic tales by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol, this book explores how stories work and why they matter. Saunders guides readers through the technical aspects of writing and the deeper questions about life, truth, and value that great literature addresses.
The seven Russian short stories analyzed in the book are reprinted in their entirety, allowing readers to engage with the original texts alongside the author's commentary.
While it functions as a master class on the craft of fiction, the book is designed for any reader interested in how stories work and how they can deepen our understanding of the human experience.
This work moves away from the satirical style found in the author's short story collections and novel, focusing instead on didactic literary analysis and his role as a long-time university professor.