Critiquing
01. Feb, 2009 
4 Comments
Bill Ward talks about reading more (in light of the 462 books per year recently being talked about.
This reminded me that I’ve rediscovered my number one criteria for declaring a particular book good. It’s actually quite simple: does the story/author make me want to read the next page?
Do I look forward to picking it back up following an interruption? Am I reluctant to put it down when forced to?
Do I feel a constant sense of anticipation while reading and do I have a vague sense of regret-sadness-disappointment when I’ve reached the end (because there is no more)?
This particular measure of quality is, of course, entirely subjective (all art is supposed to be), but the nifty thing about it is that it transcends even the technical aspects of writing – structure, characterization, word-usage, I daresay even grammar and spelling.
Even in the face of erudite scholarly disquisition, “I liked it” is the bulwark against which all other arguments shatter and break.
The “I liked it” test is important if your goal is merely to be entertained. Frankly, 70% of my reading list is technical, and the sliver of time remaining to me has to be divided between reading history, English and American literature, and finally science fiction. My “amusement” budget has become appallingly tiny. The problem with what amuses me is that my tastes are forever evolving. Books that I found diverting in my youth don’t begin to hold my interest now, despite the fact that my eroding memory means my second dip in the water should be as refreshing as the first. People who critique the work of others for a living will tell you if they liked a book, and will expose enough of the plot that you are incapable of being surprised by anything that happens. It is best to ignore them. What seems to work best for me is to roam through the shelves at the book store, pulling down and reading the first ten or so pages of the books that catch my attention. I can usually tell by then if it is going to be worth the investment in time and money to acquire the book and plow through to the end. I have to take exception to the statement, “I liked it” is the bulwark against which all other arguments shatter and break.” Whether a book is likable or not says nothing about its potential importance in the genre. “The Last of the Mohicans” is a classic of its type, but the contemporary tastes that shaped many of the episodes in the story make it almost unreadable today. “Harry Potter”, for all the entertainment that millions have taken from it recently, will fade as so many popular fads of the past. And as I pointed out earlier, it is best not to give credence to the people who write about writing. Hitler liked dogs, but I wouldn’t buy one on his recommendation. The time spent reading what passes for criticism would be better spent evaluating the source material yourself, ten pages at a time. You might find something you like.
I agree with your comments about liking a book when you can’t put it down. I am putting together my own rating system now and that is one of the biggest factors. When I was younger, I would just keep going through a book even if it wasn’t that good. Now that I am older, I don’t worry about finishing all of the novels I start. If it can’t hold my interest, it doesn’t deserve the time it takes to read it. Generally, I am giving a book about 40 to 50 pages before I quit.
Great criteria — I find as I get older a big part of reading is deciding what is really worth my time. In the past I’d read a book I was lukewarm about, just to say I’d finished it. I don’t do that much anymore.
Thanks for the linkage.
Well said!