On Moral Fiction (A Harper Torchbook- TB 5069)
Worth buying if: You enjoy literary criticism that makes strong claims about what fiction is for.
Skip it if: You are looking for a novel, narrative plot, or character-driven reading experience.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780465052264. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
This 1979 work presents Gardner’s case for morally serious fiction and examines what writers owe to readers, culture, and the human imagination. It is a compact book of literary argument rather than a novel.
Why this book now
As debates about art’s social responsibilities continue, Gardner’s direct challenge to morally neutral fiction remains useful to revisit.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You enjoy literary criticism that makes strong claims about what fiction is for.
- You want to think about storytelling through ethics, judgment, and the responsibilities of writers.
- You are looking for a novel, narrative plot, or character-driven reading experience.
- You prefer literary criticism that avoids prescriptions about artistic purpose.
- You only want something with very current references and examples.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780465052264
Worth buying if: You enjoy literary criticism that makes strong claims about what fiction is for.
Skip it if: You are looking for a novel, narrative plot, or character-driven reading experience.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Light Short sit-downs
At 214 pages, this is a focused nonfiction read, though Gardner’s claims invite slower reflection and disagreement.
What stands out here
This record identifies the book as a Harper Torchbook, TB 5069, published in 1979.
Best way to approach it
Read it as a sustained intervention: follow Gardner’s central claim, mark its definitions, and test his judgments against fiction you know.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780465052264
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.