The Creative Act cover art

The Creative Act

A Way of Being

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The Creative Act

By: Rick Rubin
Narrated by: Rick Rubin
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About this listen

2024 GRAMMY NOMINEE FOR BEST AUDIOBOOK

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FOYLES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed expectations in order to reconnect with a state of innocence from which the surprising becomes inevitable.

Over the years, as he has thought deeply about where creativity comes from and where it doesn't, he has learned that being an artist isn't about your specific output; it's about your relationship to the world. Creativity has a place in everyone's life, and everyone can make that place larger. In fact, there are few more important responsibilities.

The Creative Act is a beautiful and generous course of study that illuminates the path of the artist as a road we all can follow. It distils the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime's work into a luminous reading experience that puts the power to create moments - and lifetimes - of exhilaration and transcendence within closer reach for all of us.

©2023 Rick Rubin (P)2023 Canongate Books Consciousness & Thought Creativity Personal Development Philosophy Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"You'll probably read this extraordinary book four times. The first time, you'll gobble it up. The second time, you'll savour it. The third time, you'll take notes in the margins. But the fourth time, the fourth time it will be part of you as you create the work you were ready to ship." (Seth Godin)
All stars
Most relevant
This is a brilliantly written insight into our creative nature. It is a guidebook for creating life as a masterpiece.
Something I will listen to again and again.

Not just for creatives!

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This is a wonderful uplifting heartwarming and exciting read..or even better for me is to listen to Rick read it. Beautifully done! As a visual artist I feel freed up to play, to take risks and to just enjoy the creative process without the burden of reasoning and context and shit talk around what it's all about. I'll leave that for others to do. With much gratitude,

A beautiful thing

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Rick has enough experience under his belt to gently assert certain truths that many fail to comprehend because they are only attained through practice. Someone reviewed that his book is a bit woo woo, I’d like to see what that guy produces, what his creations look like?
For me this book is full of a whole lot of valuable nudges in a great direction and I will implement them and see where it takes me. What do I have to lose?

Advice worth taking🙏

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Great viewpoint on art and creativity. This book is worth coming back to for more inspiration and helpful insights into the mind of creative people.

Very useful for artists of all types.

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A masterpiece… book for any artist. It describes how spiritual dimensions of this existence can be channeled into being through what can be called creativity, the creative act, or being an artist

A masterpiece

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one of the best books I ever read. A must_read for all artists, especially the blocked ones.

A must read

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It’s so beautiful, so generous, so loving. This is maybe the greatest gift you’ve given, it is so universal and broad and yet incredibly practical.
There is no words to describe.
I shall replay this another (3rd) time - only 2 weeks after it’s been published. And certainly many more to come.
Thank You I love You ❤️

Rick, thank you for writing thid book

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As a producer/artist I sometimes find myself doubting my taste as it is quite obscure compared to the more widely consumed art in the “scene I’m in”. I love the art I make and have avoided theory as I also love the chords and melodies I write without any knowing what I’m writing, I feel more confident in myself and my taste and might even learn a bit of theory now as I don’t think I will allow it to dictate what I write anymore.

Thanks Rick

I needed this!

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I got a lot from this book. As a menswear designer this audio book has some really good tips and ideas on how to keep your creativity levels when facing a “writers block” moment. I also liked to listen to this book whilst driving and found Rick Rubin’s calming voice along with the chimes really relaxing when dealing with heavy traffic or road rage. 5 stars. Will listen to this book again.

Inspiring and educational, and meditative

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A sublime work that will echo through the ages. The perfect audiobook. Absolutely astonishing.

A Masters Magnus Opus.

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