John Gardner Popular Books
John Gardner Biography & Facts
John Champlin Gardner Jr. (July 21, 1933 – September 14, 1982) was an American novelist, essayist, literary critic, and university professor. He is best known for his 1971 novel Grendel, a retelling of the Beowulf myth from the monster's point of view. Early life and education Gardner was born in Batavia, New York. His father was a lay preacher and dairy farmer, and his mother taught third grade at a small school in a nearby village. Both parents were fond of poetry, and would often recite their favorite poetry and poetry they wrote about life on the farm at friends' homes. Gardner was active in the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the Eagle Scout rank. As a child, Gardner attended public school and worked on his father's farm, where in April 1945, his younger brother Gilbert was killed in an accident with a cultipacker. Gardner, who was driving the tractor during the fatal accident, carried guilt for his brother's death throughout his life, suffering nightmares and flashbacks. The incident informed much of Gardner's fiction and criticism — most directly in the 1977 short story "Redemption," which included a fictionalized recounting of the accident as an impetus for artistic inspiration. Gardner began his university education at DePauw University, and received his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1955. He received his MA (1956) and PhD (1958) from the University of Iowa. He was a distinguished visiting professor at the University of Detroit in 1970. Fiction Gardner's best-known novels include The Sunlight Dialogues, about a disaffected policeman asked to engage a madman fluent in classical mythology; Grendel, a retelling of the Beowulf legend from the monster's point of view, with an existential subtext; and October Light, about an embittered brother and sister living and feuding with each other in rural Vermont (the novel includes an invented "trashy novel" that the woman reads). This last book won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1976. The Life and Times of Chaucer In 1977, Gardner published The Life and Times of Chaucer. In a review in the October 1977 issue of Speculum, Sumner J. Ferris pointed to several passages that were allegedly lifted either in whole or in part from work by other authors without proper citation. Ferris charitably suggested that Gardner had published the book too hastily, but on April 10, 1978, reviewer Peter Prescott, writing in Newsweek, cited the Speculum article and accused Gardner of plagiarism, a claim that Gardner met "with a sigh." On Moral Fiction In 1978, Gardner's book of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction, sparked a controversy that excited the mainstream media, vaulting Gardner into the spotlight with an interview on The Dick Cavett Show (May 16, 1978) and a cover story in The New York Times Magazine (July, 1979). His judgments of contemporary authors—including John Updike, John Barth and other American authors—harmed his reputation among fellow writers and book reviewers. Gardner claimed that lingering animosity from critics of this book led to unflattering reviews of what turned out to be his last finished novel, Mickelsson's Ghosts, although literary critics later praised the book. Gore Vidal found On Moral Fiction, as well as Gardner's novels, sanctimonious and pedantic, and called Gardner the "late apostle to the lowbrows, a sort of Christian evangelical who saw Heaven as a paradigmatic American university." Teaching Gardner was a life-long teacher of fiction writing. He was associated with the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. His two books on the craft of writing fiction—The Art of Fiction and On Becoming a Novelist—are considered classics. Gardner inspired and, according to Raymond Carver, sometimes intimidated his students. At Chico State College (where he taught from 1959 to 1962), when Carver mentioned to Gardner that he had not liked the assigned short story, Robert Penn Warren's "Blackberry Winter," Gardner said, "You'd better read it again." "And he wasn't joking", said Carver, who related this anecdote in his foreword to Gardner's book On Becoming a Novelist. In that foreword, he makes it clear how much he respected Gardner and also relates his kindness as a writing mentor. In addition to Chico State, Gardner taught at Oberlin College (1958–1959), San Francisco State College (1962–1965), Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1965–1974) Bennington College, and Binghamton University (1974–1982). Family life Gardner married Joan Louise Patterson on June 6, 1953; the marriage, which produced children, ended in divorce in 1980. Gardner married poet and novelist Liz Rosenberg in 1980; this marriage ended in divorce in 1982. Death Gardner was killed in a motorcycle accident about two miles from his home in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, on September 14, 1982. He was pronounced dead at Barnes-Kasson Hospital in Susquehanna. The crash was four days before his planned marriage to Susan Thornton: 269 He was buried next to his brother Gilbert in Batavia's Grandview Cemetery. Works Fiction The Resurrection. New American Library, 1966; Vintage Books, 1987, ISBN 978-0-394-73250-3 The Wreckage of Agathon. Harper & Row, 1970; Dutton, 1985, ISBN 978-0-525-48180-5 Grendel. New York: Vintage Books, 1971, illustrated by Emil Antonucci, ISBN 0-679-72311-0 The Sunlight Dialogues. Knopf, 1972, ISBN 978-0-394-47144-0; reprint New Directions Publishing, 2006, ISBN 0-8112-1670-5 Jason and Medeia. Knopf, 1973, ISBN 978-0-394-48317-7; Vintage Books, 1986, ISBN 978-0-394-74060-7 [epic narrative poem] Nickel Mountain: A Pastoral Novel, Knopf, 1973, ISBN 978-0-394-48883-7; reprint New Directions Publishing, 2007, ISBN 978-0-8112-1678-4 The King's Indian. Knopf, 1974, ISBN 978-0-394-49221-6; reissue Ballantine Books, 1983, ISBN 978-0-345-30372-1 [stories] October Light, Knopf, 1976 ISBN 978-0-394-49912-3; reprint New Directions Publishing, 2005, ISBN 978-0-8112-1637-1 In the Suicide Mountains. Knopf, 1977, ISBN 978-0-394-41880-3 Vlemk the Box Painter. Lord John Press, 1979, ISBN 978-0-935716-02-3 [fairy tale] Freddy's Book. Knopf, 1980, ISBN 978-0-394-50920-4; White Pine Press, 2007, ISBN 978-1-893996-84-7 The Art of Living and Other Stories. Knopf, 1981; reprint, Vintage Books, 1989, ISBN 978-0-679-72350-9 Mickelsson's Ghosts. Knopf, 1982, ISBN 978-0-394-50468-1; reprint New Directions Publishing, 2008, ISBN 978-0-8112-1679-1 Stillness and Shadows. Knopf, 1986, ISBN 978-0-394-54402-1 [uncompleted novels] Biography The Life and Times of Chaucer. Knopf. 1977. ISBN 978-0-394-49317-6.; reprint Barnes & Noble Publishing, 1999, ISBN 978-0-7607-1281-8 Poems Poems, Lord John Press, 1978 Jason and Medeia. Knopf, 1973, ISBN 978-0-394-48317-7; Vintage Books, 1986, ISBN 978-0-394-74060-7 [epic narrative poem] Children's stories Dragon, Dragon (and Other Tales). Knopf, 1975; Bantam Books, 1979, ISBN 978-0-553-15067-4 Gudgekin The Thistle Girl (and Other Tales). Knopf, 1976, ISBN 978-0-39.... Discover the John Gardner popular books. Find the top 100 most popular John Gardner books.
Best Seller John Gardner Books of 2024
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Ten Rules for a Call Girl
Allison LeottaFrom former federal sexcrimes prosecutor Allison Leotta, an eShort story about the secret life of Washington, D.C.’s highestpaid escorts.Beautiful Georgetown undergrad Caroline McB...
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John L. Gardner v. State Indiana
Court of Appeals of IndianaBAKER, J. Defendantappellant John Gardner appeals his conviction for dealing in cocaine, a Class A felony.[Footnote 2] Gardner claims the State failed to bring him to tr...
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Magic Hours
Tom BissellAwardwinning essayist Tom Bissell explores the highs and lows of the creative process. He takes us from the set of The Big Bang Theory to the first novel of Ernest Heming...
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The Lord the Manor and the Murders
John GardnerLord Chessingham HarveyHighmind, the product of a long line of murdering English nobles, wants a son and heir to protect the immense family fortune and continue the unsavoury famil...
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Grendel
John GardnerThis classic and much lauded retelling of Beowulf follows the monster Grendel as he learns about humans and fights the war at the center of the Anglo Saxon classic epic."An ex...
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John Haile v. J. W. Gardner
Supreme Court of FloridaWHITFIELD, J. This writ of error was allowed and taken to a judgment quashing a writ of habeas corpus and remanding the petitioner to the custody of the sheriff. It appears that J...
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Law of Attraction
Allison LeottaAs a newly minted Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., Anna Curtis has already developed thick skin to deal with the brutality she encounters with her daily stack of domest...
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The Last Good Girl
Allison LeottaFrom Allison Leotta, the “highly entertaining storyteller” (George Pelecanos) who writes “in a style that’s as real as it gets” (USA TODAY), a rippedfromtheheadlines novel featurin...
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The Revenge of Moriarty
John GardnerNow back in print after forty years: The second novel in John Gardner’s bestselling series of Victorian crime thrillers pitting Sherlock Holmes against the Napoleon of crime, Profe...
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Earthly Joys
Philippa Gregory#1 New York Times bestselling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA TODAY) Philippa Gregory brings to life the passionate, turbulent times of seventeenthcentury England as seen ...
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Speak of the Devil
Allison LeottaIn this gripping legal thriller by “the female John Grisham” (The Providence Journal), sexcrimes prosecutor Anna Curtis must stop a vicious street gang before it destroys more live...
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State Idaho v. Danny John Gardner
Court of Appeals of IdahoLANSING, Judge In this appeal we must determine whether the defendant, who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter, should have been allowed to withdraw his guilty plea...
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Welcome to Forever
Nathan TavaresA sweeping, psychedelic romance of two men caught in a looping world of artificial realities, edited memories, secretive cabals and conspiracies to push humanity to the next step i...
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The Outback Court Reporter
Jamelle WellsOne of Australia's most experienced court reporters goes on a judicial road trip. Outback Court Reporter is a sometimes funny, sometimes tragic look at the comings and goings on in...
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The Art of Fiction
John GardnerThis classic guide, from the renowned novelist and professor, has helped transform generations of aspiring writers into masterful writersand will continue to do so for many years t...
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A Good Killing
Allison LeottaFormer federal prosecutor and critically acclaimed author Allison Leotta’s spellbinding thriller follows prosecutor Anna Curtis as she heads home to Michigan to defend her sister i...
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FaceOff
David Baldacci & Lee ChildAn instant New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller and “a thriller reader’s ultimate fantasy” (Booklist), this oneofakind anthology pulls together the most beloved characters from ...
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Form and Sense
Wolfgang Paalen, Martica Sawin & Deborah RosenthalWolfgang Paalen was a central figure in internationalist surrealist circles in the late 1930s. Artist and intellectual, he was a European whose fascination with archaic cultures le...
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Charles W. Faithful v. John R. Gardner and
Western Section, at Jackson Court of Appeals of TennesseeCharles W. Faithful (hereafter "Plaintiff") filed suit for declaratory judgment in the Chancery Court of Shelby County, seeking the construction of a real estate sales c...
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We Can See You
Simon KernickIf you like David Baldacci, Stuart MacBride and Peter James, you'll love this frighteningly tense, spinetingling thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Kernick the UK...
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Gilgamesh
John Gardner & John MaierThe story of Gilgamesh, an ancient epic poem written on clay tablets in a cuneiform alphabet, is as fascinating and moving as it is crucial to our ability to fathom the time and th...
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Matter Michael J. Lynch v. John J. Gardner Et Al.
Supreme Court of New YorkIn our opinion, the Zoning Board of Appeals had no power to disregard or vary the thousandfoot limitation (Matter of Texas Co. v. Sinclair, 279 App. Div. 803, affd. 304 N. Y. 817; ...
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John Gardner v. State Department Highways.
Supreme Court of MinnesotaOn August 24, 1997, Derangle Riley was shot to death by a single .25 caliber gunshot wound to the head from close range. Following a jury trial in Hennepin County District Court Da...
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Norman Gardner v. John v. Evans
Supreme Court of Idaho No. 15921Ramona Walhof was director of the Idaho Commission for the Blind when she was terminated by a 21 vote of that Commission. The members of the Commission at the time of Walhof's firi...
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John E. Gardner v. Norfolk and Western
Supreme Court of Appeals of West VirginiaThe commonlaw principle of forum non conveniens and the similar state statute on removal of civil proceedings, W.Va. Code, 5691 [1939], are not applicable to actions bro...
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Captain Cook
Vanessa CollingridgeA uniquely woven story encompassing three separate centuries and three different lives. Captain Cook, best known for his heroic voyages through the Pacific Ocean, is brought to lif...
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John C. Dean v. John W. Gardner
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitPursuant to section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 49 Stat. 624 (1935), as amended, 42 U.S.C. ? 405(g) (1964), Jack C. Dean instituted this civil action for review of the Secre...
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Discretion
Allison LeottaFor fans of Lisa Scottoline and Law and Order: SVU, former federal sexcrimes prosecutor Allison Leotta’s novel explores the intersection of sex and power as Anna Curtis investigate...
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John Gardner on Writing
John GardnerThree books in one volume: Advice and reflections on modern fiction from “one of the greatest creative writing teachers we’ve ever had” (Frederick Busch). In On Becoming a Nov...
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William C. Gardner v. John A. Collins Et Al.
United States Supreme CourtCERTIFICATE of Division form the Circuit Court of Rhode Island.1 2 IN the circuit court of the United States for the district of Rhode Island, the plaintiff, William C. Collins, in...
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Michael Collins
Dr James MackayThe most charismatic figure to emerge during the struggles for the independence of Ireland was undoubtedly Michael Collins. This remarkable biography, which draws on much hitherto ...
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Life Support
Tess GerritsenFrom New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen, a terrifying novel of deadly proportions as an ER doctor tries to determine the cause and cure of a fatal and mysterious viru...
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Shorties
John GardnerThis collection of short stories was created to give you a bit of something different. A bit of a mix – humour, erotica, life, scifi. A story to entertain you on a short commute or...
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John Gardner
Barry SileskyFor a decadefrom 1973 to 1982John Gardner was one of America's most famous writers and certainly its most flamboyantly opinionated. His 1973 novel, The Sunlight Dialogues, was on t...
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John Thomas Gardner v. State Indiana
First District Court of Appeals of IndianaJohn Thomas Gardner, defendant, was tried to the court, without the intervention of a jury, and was found guilty of murder. He was sentenced to a determinate term of sixty years im...
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Gilgamesh
Stephen MitchellGilgamesh is considered one of the masterpieces of world literature, and although previously there have been competent scholarly translations of it, until now there has not been a ...
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Disciplined Mind
Howard GardnerThis brilliant and revolutionary theory of multiple intelligences reexamines the goals of education to support a more educated society for future generations.Howard Gardner’s conce...
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The Black Lizard Big Book of Locked-Room Mysteries
Otto PenzlerThe Most Complete Collection of Impossible Crime Stories Ever Assembled, with puzzling mysteries by Stephen King, Dashiell Hammett, Lawrence Block, Agatha Christie, Georges Si...
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The Forbidden Temple
Patrick WoodheadTo Luca Matthews the dangers of the high mountain peaks are the air upon which he thrives.In the ruthless pursuit of his goals he would sacrifice anything even another climber's l...
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The Secret Chamber
Patrick WoodheadPeople have been disappearing in what the explorer Stanley called the black heart of Africa the impenetrable forests of northern Congo. But when a brilliant young English doctor v...
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Sinatra and Me
Tony Oppedisano & Mary Jane RossThis intimate, revealing portrait of Frank Sinatrafrom the man closest to the famous singer during the last decade of his lifefeatures neverbeforeseen photos and new revelations ab...