First published in 1996, this is a collection of entertaining and thought-provoking essays on the relationship between creative writing, the teaching of the same and the task of dramatizing literary works for television and the stage. Sends the reader back to writers' works (including Mr. Lodge's own) with a renewed appreciation of what makes them tick and why (New York Times) These essays, so easy in manner, so well-built and informative, offer a fine blend of creative writing and criticism... The essays on writers who have meant most to him as a novelist, notably Graham Greene (on whom nobody has written better) and Joyce, are brilliant (Sunday Times)