Comments on: Criticizing the Critic http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/05/31/criticizing-the-critic/ Infinite Possibilities Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:10:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: redchurch http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/05/31/criticizing-the-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-135 redchurch Fri, 02 Jun 2006 07:04:00 +0000 http://redchurch.com/quantum/?p=164#comment-135 It's the 'lofty vantage point' I have a problem with. It’s the ‘lofty vantage point’ I have a problem with.

]]> By: Macavity http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/05/31/criticizing-the-critic/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Macavity Fri, 02 Jun 2006 05:07:00 +0000 http://redchurch.com/quantum/?p=164#comment-134 <I>He doesn't have the patience to read or sit through very much fiction. If he can't make it through The DaVinci Code, I have my doubts he could make it through anything meatier. Why is he a critic, then?</I> I agree that some of this review is a little harsh, but honestly, Anthony Lane has read so much fiction it's unbelievable. He certainly can't be accused of being underread. Did you read the piece in the New Yorker where he read his way though the NYT bestseller's list? I found it hilarious (you would probably find it less so). I actually think Lane is better as a book critic than as a movie critic - fiction (and poetry) engage him more than film, which he tends to view from a fairly lofty vantage point. He doesn’t have the patience to read or sit through very much fiction. If he can’t make it through The DaVinci Code, I have my doubts he could make it through anything meatier. Why is he a critic, then?

I agree that some of this review is a little harsh, but honestly, Anthony Lane has read so much fiction it’s unbelievable. He certainly can’t be accused of being underread. Did you read the piece in the New Yorker where he read his way though the NYT bestseller’s list? I found it hilarious (you would probably find it less so). I actually think Lane is better as a book critic than as a movie critic – fiction (and poetry) engage him more than film, which he tends to view from a fairly lofty vantage point.

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