I'm not so young. I'm not a writer. Why did I like this book so much? If you are thinking of writing fiction, this is an excellent resource. So much better than the ubiquitous "10 Steps to Story That Sells", it really helps you appreciate the Art of writing, without being snooty or pedantic. If you are interested in reading fiction, this is an excellent reference. It really helps you appreciate the Art in writing. I think that I can better appreciate the work that a good writer puts into his/her writing now, and I have a better idea of why some stories work for me.
Gardner provides plenty of examples to help you understand the concepts,and he often refers to writers and their works to further illuminate his points. (Although my 14-year-old son did have some trouble understanding the section on rhythm -- yes, rhythm in a book about prose! -- but it's hard to write about an aural phenomenon.) I found that The Art of Fiction has made me more confident in myself as a reader; now I not only know what I like or don't like, but I know why, too.