John Gardner wrote a collection of stories about people and their relationship with Art: a story about a conductor, a painter, a musician, a young lady working in an Art studio, a boy in a house full of choir singers , a cook etc. The humanity explored in these stories is illumed by the practice or appreciation of whatever form of art they endeavor.

Gardner is an amazing technical writer, so the prose is incredibly clear and evocative, the plots are water-proof tight, and the messages are so deep and convincing that you don t mind that they leave with an ambiguous feeling. And what s most unique about him, setting him aside from most of the writers I like, he doesn t write with a chip on his shoulder. He likes people. He is completely secure, and can make penetrating observations without being condescending. The result is a frank and beautiful collection and eloquent stories that all come together to form a little piece of heaven.

I think Art is grown up work and should be taken with due seriousness. This isn t light fiction, but it s nice to be reminded that grown up, serious fiction can also be uplifting.