There is a subtle art involved in the critical review. I think I’m drawn to criticism because it involves thinking about ideas, and I’m an idea man (I thrive on enthusiasm, don’t take the wind out of my sails).
I’m reading The War Against Cliche: 1971—2000, a collection of reviews and essays by Martin Amis. Here are some gems:
On Hillary’s book It Takes A Village:
I was struck by one sullen sentence: ‘Life itself is the curriculum, as are history, literature, current events, and, especially, religious teachings.’ With that measured ‘especially’, Hillary blows a kiss of farewell to the secular intellect and falls into step with the philistines.
On the overwhelmingly positive and uncritical reviews of Thomas Harris’s Hannibal:
The publication of Hannibal back in June cut the ribbon on a festival of stupidity.
I’m sure there will be more to follow.