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The Bottom Line

What Now? is a revised version of a commencement address Ann Patchett delivered at her alma mater, Sarah Lawrence. In the book, she addresses her message to anyone facing a life change — but as so many of her life lessons are tied to her craft, her insights are particularly relevant to writers. The trajectory of Patchett's career will comfort writers on a circuitous route to success, and give anyone contemplating a writing life an idea of what lies ahead.

Pros

• Inspiring and funny: Patchett's voice is highly appealing.
• A good book for writers and anyone at a crossroads.
• Excellent advice on how to live and how to be a writer.

Cons

• Stock photos are distracting.
• A bit slight for a purchase — better as a library read.

Description

• Shows that lessons about writing can come from unexpected places.
• Patchett addresses her message to anyone facing a life change, but her stories are particularly relevant to writers.
• "Sometimes not having any idea where we're going works out better than we could possibly have imagined."

Guide Review - Review of What Now? by Ann Patchett

I came across Ann Patchett's 2008 book What Now? by accident, while browsing in the public library. I was at a crossroads in my life and was looking for guidance. I'd started in the time management section, thinking maybe a new schedule would help, and had drifted, inevitably, into self-help. There, I saw Ann Patchett's familiar name and pulled What Now? off the shelf.

It was a lucky accident, as Patchett wrote the book for exactly such moments in life: What Now?

is a revised version of a commencement address she delivered at Sarah Lawrence. In the book, she addresses her message to anyone facing a life change, and because so many of her own life lessons are tied to her art, her insights are particularly relevant to writers.

In What Now? Patchett recalls pivotal times in her life, and the recurring theme is that we don't always acquire the tools we need for our writing, or for our lives, in the expected ways. For instance, she developed her most important literary skill — the ability to be alone — while washing dishes at T.G.I. Fridays after getting her MFA. A chance encounter with a Hare Krishna taught her to be open and to adhere to her beliefs "even when it meant looking like a fool." The nuns at her grammar school taught her the importance of being able to follow, as opposed to leading — an important skill to have when waiting tables or letting a story emerge. Through these anecdotes, Patchett conveys the more abstract lessons that MFA programs may not deliver, which allow a writer to continue working when success doesn't come immediately.

"The world may be telling you to go forward, to climb and to strive and to move briskly ahead, but while you're doing all that, be sure to keep your ears open," she writes, referring to the other, unspoken lesson of Patchett's life. A writer's life does not generally progress the way a doctor's or teacher's life does. There are times when a writer won't be moving ahead, when she'll be waitressing or dish washing, or cooking, or even, as in Patchett's case, being fired from cooking. Patchett conveys the idea that it's OK to have times in life when you're not visibly progressing. Those times may be teaching you the very lessons you need to learn.

Despite these many strengths, What Now? is a slight book, to be read in one sitting. In order to make it long enough for a book, the publisher added stock photos on the book's themes, an unfortunate choice, as stock photos tend to be gimmicky and these are no exception. When I saw that the legendary Chip Kidd had designed the book, I wondered if perhaps they were meant ironically. If so, they clash with the sincere tone of the writing. Because of the photos, it's hard to recommend the book as a gift for recent grads or new writers, which must be how it was intended. Nonetheless, it's a worthwhile read.