The Art of Dramatic Writing - Lajos Egri
Paperback | Touchstone | February 15, 1972
The Gist
A long-winded way of covering key narrative elements for writers to consider as they build their stories.
Read If You Like
Thrill Me by Benjamin Percy
On Writing by Stephen King
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Save the Cat by Jessica Brody
The Verdict: Read the Cliff Notes
The Art of Dramatic Writing has been cited as a go-to for writers of all mediums. Just because the book is mainly for playwriting doesn’t mean that the elements discussed can’t be used elsewhere. On the one hand, Egri offers a solid list of elements writers need to address as they construct their narrative. His love and knowledge of theater radiate off the page. But the excessive amount of multi-page examples often causes the book to drag. The gems are in Egri’s exposition. However, they can be summed up in a few pages. It’s an important resource for writers and is most likely a delight for theater enthusiasts.
