The rants! The endless rants. Some are positive, others negative, with certain authors getting short shrift when mentioned, while others are talked up.
When sharing your enthusiasm over a book you enjoyed, it's easy to forget that your opinion isn't the only valid one. Likewise, your dislike for a work of literature doesn't invalidate the next person's praises, or anyone else's, for that matter.
Literary criticism is a double-edged sword, as there's value to be gained in both positive and negative feedback.
The point of literary criticism is to explore the standout bits in a book, as well as any perceived downsides, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
A thoughtful, critical analysis of a literary text requires insight into the various structures of the plot, themes, characters, and other elements of the book.
So, now, think back to all those times you were engaged in a debate over a book's pros and cons with members of your book club.
Were you objective? Did the arguments of the other party make any sense to you? Or were you humble enough to acknowledge that their opinions, contrary as they were, were every bit as valid as yours?
With literary criticism, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of book hate. Two readers will not necessarily share the same opinion on a book, even if they both enjoyed or disliked it. However, in the case of the latter, it's quite easy to roll off the well-trodden and holy path of objective critiquing into the gully of book hate.
The joy of every author is to read critical and analytical reviews of their works. And, while it can be hard to keep sentimentality out of your critiques, it's best to be as objective as possible.
So, when you're particularly disappointed about how a book ends or the failure of the plot to properly grip your literary senses, remember that others may feel differently.
...which is perfectly fine.
Humans are naturally subjective beings. Across all facets of life, including culture, religion, and politics, even the most intellectual of our species often struggle to be 100% objective.
A staunch Moslem born and raised in Saudi Arabia may struggle to accept the possibility of the validity of the Biblical theologies and doctrines of a devoted Nigerian Roman Catholic, and vice versa.
Likewise, a reader weaned on the complex and unconventional prose of the likes of Steven Eriksen and J.R.R Tolkien may be unable to enjoy the writing style in a book like Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad. This form of subjectivity also reveals itself in the preference for certain genres at the expense of the other.
Regardless, all readers should understand the impact of personal experiences in shaping their reading tastes and should deliver literary criticism with this firmly in mind.
After all, all opinions matter, not just yours.
Sometimes, a book's quality is such that you have nothing but beautiful words to describe it. While this is usually influenced by certain elements of the book that you found outstanding, it could be for other reasons as well.
For instance, it could be an author you already have a soft spot for. It could also be the fact that it's your favourite genre.
The same applies when you particularly dislike a book. You're much less likely to enjoy it if you've been disappointed before by the author or allowed yourself to read the book through the lens of negative reviews by other readers.
Whether it's a Book of the Month discussion with your book club members, a written review, or literary criticism delivered through other forms of mass media, here are some tips to ensure that you're doing it the right way:
The easiest way to critique a book wrongly is to do so subjectively, without telling your audience the exact elements that you found disappointing.
Stick to analyzing the plot, writing style, tone, characterization, setting, worldbuilding, and other structural aspects of the literary piece, and you'll be just fine.
No matter how utterly uninteresting you found a book, you should never include abuse or snide comments.
By doing so, you risk offending the sensibilities of others who enjoyed the book, which is a sure way to start conflict.
When delivering your literary critiques, ask yourself these questions:
While it can be a struggle to stay a hundred per cent logical, you should strive to ensure that your analysis of a book remains within the limits of literary logic.
Stray off this course, and you'll quickly find yourself sharing purely sentimental thoughts, which, while perfectly allowed, should only be seen for what they are: pure sentimentality.
This step requires a bit of self-awareness and self-honesty, which many readers struggle with. In most cases, the party making a case against your take on a book will be quick to call you out on being biased with your critique when they sense that you're treading that path.
However, it's even better for everyone involved when you can point out limits in your own logic and acknowledge that you liked or disliked a book for "personal" reasons.
What happens when you're gifted a review copy of a book by your favourite author, but it turns out to be disappointing? Do you give an honest review, or do you add some embellishments so you don't hurt their feelings?
If you're an active reader or book reviewer, you're likely to have faced this dilemma. It can be hard to find a balance between outright objectivity and honesty here, especially if it's an author you genuinely like.
There have also been several cases of authors reacting badly to negative reviews of their work, meaning that there's a real danger you could get called out despite being subjective.
Regardless, this is no reason to become sentimental. Book reviews aren't just for you or the author. They're also for future readers who come across the book and decide whether it's their thing or not.
This, more than anything, should guide how you go about literary criticism.
Literary criticism isn't just about your opinions. It's about finding common ground with opposing ideas and understanding that two truths can peacefully co-exist.
So, the next time you get into a debate with another book lover over a read they enjoyed or didn't like, do so without letting your emotions and personal bias get in the way of the critique.
While it can be hard to avoid sentiment totally, less bias and more objectivity can go a long way in making such book discussions beneficial for all parties.
Thanks for the tips. I'll be applying them in my next book review.