Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert REVIEW

 

"Once upon a time, there was a name named Jack Gilbert, who was not related to me--unfortunately for me."

Book Review: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book was an inspiration the first time I read it years ago when I was writing. It's a thought-provoking education of creativity and the courage to pursue it and encouraging readers to embrace curiosity over fear.

Ms. Gilbert doesn’t present creativity as some lofty, unreachable concept for the “chosen few,” but rather as something everyone can engage with, whether you're a writer, painter, or simply someone curious about living more creatively. Her belief that ideas are almost living entities, waiting for us to act on them, is a fresh perspective that challenges traditional thinking. And which I can totally subscribe to as I've experienced it in my own life with writing. 

If you're looking for a motivating, uplifting read that might just nudge you to chase your creative impulses, this book is a must.

FIRES OF INVENTION by J. Scott Savage

Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and “invention” is a curse word.

Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion—an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on—and quite possibly their very lives.

Ok. I already love Savage's storytelling so I may be biased...BUT this was another great read from this awesomesauce author.
I loved the world, the creativity and inventions but "creativity" is a naughty word and inventing is against the law. The world is totally opposite of SKY JUMPERS by Peggy Eddleman, where inventing is honored and if you can't invent, you're an outcast.
Good word-building, deep characterization, and great villains, as well as twists and turns and... can't tell ya. You'll have to read it to find out!

Good, clean book, perfect for a summer read! I'm going to buy one for my son.

V: a couple of scenes, not graphic
L: no
S: no. Well, maybe cheek kiss

4 STARS

Thanks netgalley for the read!