Review: The Art of Brevity by Grant Faulkner – 4/5

Review: The Art of Brevity by Grant Faulkner – 4/5 Stars

I expected an exhaustive, technique-heavy guide to sharpen my short story prose. The later aphorisms—witty, concise wisdom—shone, but the book mostly preaches brevity’s virtues over actionable cuts (e.g., ditching “up” or “-ly” adverbs with before-and-after examples). It’s ideal for long-form writers needing permission to go short, but I craved a soup-to-nuts mechanics guide. The title promises mastery, yet the text leans philosophical, creating a gap between hype and delivery. Still, a solid 4/5 for inspiration and flash/aphorism fans—Faulkner’s passion carries it. A sequel with practical tools would be gold. Worth it for mindset exploration, not technique.