It strikes me that Gopnik discounts his own mastery—his mastery of observation and his mastery of telling us through his writing what he learned from his observations. I see this discounting of one's own skills in my clients. The word "mastery" frames the dilemma. When I think I've mastered something, I quickly see my hubris. Thanks for this, Tom. You made me think!
Interesting review and observations - this is now on my (large and ever growing) "to be read" list. Thanks!
I'm personally more of a dabbler than someone seeking mastery in things. "Dabbler" meaning learning just enough to get done what I need/want to get done and then move on. That said there are 2 things that I devoted several years to over my life and that I engaged with well beyond "just enough" - martial arts and playing the tuba. Lessons that were common in these pursuits primarily had to do with learning and some vague notion of "mastery". The first two came from martial arts. (1) "The more you learn the more you realize that there is to learn." Yeah, kind of obvious, but not always to the beginner. They think that there is a final end to the path. A self-aware "master" will have obvious skills but will also have a curiosity to continue to learn and refine. (2) The anecdote about the young man asking a martial arts master how long it took to get so good. "30 years" said the master. The young man scoffed at the amount of time and the master replied "The time will pass anyway, you choose what to do with it." This aligns with a quote that I read regarding playing a musical instrument, "In order to master it you first need to be a slave to it." I continue to play the tuba and while by no means a master, I have learned to be more self-aware and challenge myself to learn and refine. And I enjoy that journey.
That “to be read” list—is that an indicator that you’re a master reader? I think I might be one of those too, though I wonder if that’s even possible. I think I’m probably more of a dabbler too, a serial dabbler.
Interesting subject! Though I think he oversimplified Camus’ take on Sisyphus. If our rock-pusher were to acknowledge the futility, the meaningless nature of his chore, he would find it unbearable. Happiness must be an attitude, not an external goal. We don’t find happiness, we make happiness. So Sisyphus must be seen as happy, else the realisation of the absurdity of life would crush his soul as easily as the rock would crush his body.
I think that’s largely how I took it was well: that the only way to survive the futility of the human experience is to adopt an attitude of happiness, to enjoy the act of pushing. I tend to have periods where it all seems futile and periods where I happily enjoy the pushing.
Have you seen an old Woody Allen movie called Hannah and her sisters? It hosts several existential crises and handles them well. (He may have been an odd cookie, but he did make good movies.)
Wonderful review of what sounds like a unique book. A memoir? I wonder though if one could equate mastery with perfection, the latter being harmful to one's being. Mastery, in some areas, is in the eye of the beholder.
Wow, part memoir, part a series of New Yorker-like profiles: it’s an interesting amalgam. And I do think he would say the pursuit of mastery can happen with anything and thus may be in the eye of the beholder.
"The book is diffuse and sometimes a bit meandering"
As is most of Gopnik's writing, which isn't to say it's not worth reading.
I think the problem with a word like "mastery" is its implication of a final end/completion point. I prefer the notion of a learning curve that one climbs through diligent practice, reaching a series of plateaus of increasing mastery and sophistication. I've experienced that in several domains, and it is very pleasurable (at least after the apprentice/novice stage is done!).
This is now on my reading list! Thanks for your insightful review, Tom (and for the shout out). Questions: is mastery something you think about often when planning or roughing out drafts of your ideas? Is it your yardstick for success as a writer? Gopnik's book made me think of Jeff Tweedy's "How to write one song."Title is a misnomer. So much more about the creative process in general, 100% applicable to other forms of writing (like you and I do here on Substack). Listen to this intro clip (read by Tweedy) when you get a chance: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670253/how-to-write-one-song-by-jeff-tweedy/9780593395677/?ref=PRHA41A0D52358A
Jeff Tweedy is one of my absolute favorites, but l haven’t read this book yet. I’ll chase it down. Thanks Mark and I hope you enjoy the Gopnik book if you check it out; it’s been my favorite of 2025 so far.
It strikes me that Gopnik discounts his own mastery—his mastery of observation and his mastery of telling us through his writing what he learned from his observations. I see this discounting of one's own skills in my clients. The word "mastery" frames the dilemma. When I think I've mastered something, I quickly see my hubris. Thanks for this, Tom. You made me think!
Lovely essay Tom, this gem from Gopnik hit me: "We make ourselves in our father’s sunlight but also in his shadow"
Great review/recommendation - it's on the list!
Interesting review and observations - this is now on my (large and ever growing) "to be read" list. Thanks!
I'm personally more of a dabbler than someone seeking mastery in things. "Dabbler" meaning learning just enough to get done what I need/want to get done and then move on. That said there are 2 things that I devoted several years to over my life and that I engaged with well beyond "just enough" - martial arts and playing the tuba. Lessons that were common in these pursuits primarily had to do with learning and some vague notion of "mastery". The first two came from martial arts. (1) "The more you learn the more you realize that there is to learn." Yeah, kind of obvious, but not always to the beginner. They think that there is a final end to the path. A self-aware "master" will have obvious skills but will also have a curiosity to continue to learn and refine. (2) The anecdote about the young man asking a martial arts master how long it took to get so good. "30 years" said the master. The young man scoffed at the amount of time and the master replied "The time will pass anyway, you choose what to do with it." This aligns with a quote that I read regarding playing a musical instrument, "In order to master it you first need to be a slave to it." I continue to play the tuba and while by no means a master, I have learned to be more self-aware and challenge myself to learn and refine. And I enjoy that journey.
That “to be read” list—is that an indicator that you’re a master reader? I think I might be one of those too, though I wonder if that’s even possible. I think I’m probably more of a dabbler too, a serial dabbler.
Interesting subject! Though I think he oversimplified Camus’ take on Sisyphus. If our rock-pusher were to acknowledge the futility, the meaningless nature of his chore, he would find it unbearable. Happiness must be an attitude, not an external goal. We don’t find happiness, we make happiness. So Sisyphus must be seen as happy, else the realisation of the absurdity of life would crush his soul as easily as the rock would crush his body.
I think that’s largely how I took it was well: that the only way to survive the futility of the human experience is to adopt an attitude of happiness, to enjoy the act of pushing. I tend to have periods where it all seems futile and periods where I happily enjoy the pushing.
Have you seen an old Woody Allen movie called Hannah and her sisters? It hosts several existential crises and handles them well. (He may have been an odd cookie, but he did make good movies.)
If I’ve seen it, it was years ago. I’ll see if I can track it down
Yes!
Wonderful review of what sounds like a unique book. A memoir? I wonder though if one could equate mastery with perfection, the latter being harmful to one's being. Mastery, in some areas, is in the eye of the beholder.
Wow, part memoir, part a series of New Yorker-like profiles: it’s an interesting amalgam. And I do think he would say the pursuit of mastery can happen with anything and thus may be in the eye of the beholder.
"The book is diffuse and sometimes a bit meandering"
As is most of Gopnik's writing, which isn't to say it's not worth reading.
I think the problem with a word like "mastery" is its implication of a final end/completion point. I prefer the notion of a learning curve that one climbs through diligent practice, reaching a series of plateaus of increasing mastery and sophistication. I've experienced that in several domains, and it is very pleasurable (at least after the apprentice/novice stage is done!).
Thanks for your generous review, Tom! 👏
Thanks Baird. I’d read a number of Gopnik’s New Yorker pieces over the years but never a full book, so I didn’t have a notion of his style before.
This is now on my reading list! Thanks for your insightful review, Tom (and for the shout out). Questions: is mastery something you think about often when planning or roughing out drafts of your ideas? Is it your yardstick for success as a writer? Gopnik's book made me think of Jeff Tweedy's "How to write one song."Title is a misnomer. So much more about the creative process in general, 100% applicable to other forms of writing (like you and I do here on Substack). Listen to this intro clip (read by Tweedy) when you get a chance: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670253/how-to-write-one-song-by-jeff-tweedy/9780593395677/?ref=PRHA41A0D52358A
Jeff Tweedy is one of my absolute favorites, but l haven’t read this book yet. I’ll chase it down. Thanks Mark and I hope you enjoy the Gopnik book if you check it out; it’s been my favorite of 2025 so far.