Steal Like An Artist, Austin Kleon – Book Review

A short review for this book would be:
An easy and quick read which gives you quick pick-me ups and nudges you to put on your creative hat and get to work! A good gifting option or could be used as a coffee table book.

This is a book you should pick up when you are going through a creative block or are doubting your creative capabilities.

This book basically asks you to emulate your favourite artists in such a way that by the end of the process you have found your voice and style. While many look down upon the practice of trying to “copy” your favourite artists, this book gives you a perspective and explains how it is one of the most natural thing you could do.

I am mincing my words here because I don’t want to give away too much of this book which you would anyway be able to read from cover to cover in a day. The book talks about how trying to be like your favourite artist is not really a bad thing, it is a process that everyone goes through and only when you are at it consistently you’ll recognise your personal style. The book talks about his process of finding your style and how to not give up during the process.

I personally like this book as a gifting option because it is such a quick, funny yet insightful read that your friends, family and colleagues would enjoy reading while getting inspired to do something creative. And let’s be honest, we have all been stuck some time or the other trying to figure out what to gift – this book is the answer.

Some of my favourite quotes from the book are:

The writer Jonathan Lethem has said that when people call something “original,” nine out of ten times they just don’t know the references or the original sources involved.

 

You have to be curious about the world in which you live. Look things up. Chase down every reference. Go deeper than anybody else—that’s how you’ll get ahead.

 

Nobody is born with a style or a voice. We don’t come out of the womb knowing who we are. In the beginning, we learn by pretending to be our heroes. We learn by copying. We’re talking about practice here, not plagiarism—plagiarism is trying to pass someone else’s work off as your own. Copying is about reverse-engineering. It’s like a mechanic taking apart a car to see how it works.

 

Don’t make excuses for not working—make things with the time, space, and materials you have, right now.


You can buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/Steal-Like-Artist-Austin-Kleon/dp/0761169253?&linkCode=sl1&tag=&linkId=c4d5c7f1e2d4211629298cac5028180d&language=en_IN&ref_=as_li_ss_tl



 


Comments

  1. The title of the book is quite intriguing. Thanks for sharing a balanced review. Although I am not a writer, I am on the fence about what the book recommends. There is always a fear of losing one's own voice/writing style when emulating an author's style.

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  2. I have read the book and its unputdownable in its wisdom.Loved the authors take on what's "original".

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  3. The quote seems to be so true. Great review.

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  4. Intriguing title and wonderful review. Never thought about it like this an absolutely fresh perspective
    Deepika Sharma

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  5. Great review. The title of the book is very catchy. I would surely pick it up.

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  6. Seems like a good read. Don't make excuses for not working is something to be said to many people who think other people are born to entertain them.

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  7. What a title! I really liked the quote on don't make excuses because it's a spiral and once you begin, it's difficult to get off.

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  8. This seems like a great read... i will surely get a copy asap

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  9. That's a detailed and helpful review.

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  10. This seems a nice book. I am tempted to grab a copy now. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. That seems to be a book that says the truth.

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  12. That sounds so interesting. I just have to read this now.

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  13. Your honest review on the book " steal like artist" seems interesting. would like to add this to my TBR!

    Archana Srivastava

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  14. This book seems to be worthy read, I liked how you reviewed the book. And the quote says it all, we all say 9/10 things as original but we do not know original sources. Shall surely add this book in my TBR list.

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  15. This is such an intriguing premise, I guess there is a very fine line between getting inspired and emulating one's favourite artist...would love to read this book sometime soon.

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  16. Wow! Applause for these quotes. It seems really interesting. Wanna really read. #lifemarblesRead

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  17. Very useful review. This books looks interesting.

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  18. Sooo wanted to grab this one but it's crazy costly yaar...

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  19. Wow a new way to look at “copying” :) seems to me like a good read.

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  20. Quick, funny and insightful reads are so much fun! I will surely check out this book!

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  21. Thanks for sharing. I will read this book.

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  22. This book has been on my wishlist for a while. Looks like it's time to get it!

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  23. Sounds interesting! I will look it up!

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  24. Such an interesting title. Nicely reviewed. Will check this one out

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  25. Looks like a good book and covers areas which we tend to sideline and or ignore. Very well written review..

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  26. This looks like an amazing read and the quotes are so thoughtful. Everything is acquired, we aren't born with a style, so right. We develop it with time and influence.

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  27. This seems like a great read. Now it is part of my to do reading list.

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