Something more than feelings
David Orr has some interesting thoughts on the trials and rewards of being a professional book critic. In his acceptance speech for the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence, presented to Orr by the National Book Critics Circle, he distills the conflict down to two overarching considerations. First is the “sad fact that stories — and plays, and novels, and poems — are written by people. And those people have feelings. They also have friends. Who will send you nasty letters. And the occasional dead animal.” But Orr goes on to argue that this consideration of the author’s feelings and intentions must ultimately give way to the critic’s obligation to be honest in his or her assessment of the work under consideration. (Thanks to Bookninja for the link.)
Related links:
Read David Orr’s acceptance speech on the National Book Critics Circle site.
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