How to Elude the Critic

In the world of literary criticism, there are few things worse than the mealymouthed mixed review. You know the kind: careful and fair, studded with caveats, animated by a vague air of disappointment. The eye stumbles on irritating qualifiers: “nonetheless,” “to be fair,” “still.” The reader finishes the piece dissatisfied and confused. This kind of review pleases no one: not the editor, who wants a provocative piece; not the author, who wants nothing but praise; and certainly not the reader, who wants the critic to be decisive above all.