My first professional book review is in the New York Times this weekend, of Cory Doctorow's novel Little Brother. I enjoyed writing about it - I think obsessively about prose, my own and other people's, and it was worthwhile to get those thoughts on paper. It's a particular challenge to write about Cory's prose, which is so well-paced and idea-driven that it's hard to be directly aware of it.
After being reviewed so many times, it's interesting to be on the other side of the transaction - it forces you to think about what's fair and unfair in evaluating a book. I tried to follow Updike rules - give a fair sample of the author's prose, and evaluate it on its own terms. And of course one hopes to get off a zinger or two. Check it out.
3 comments:
It's a fantastic review, Austin! Thanks!
Oh, well, we can forget about ever getting to meet you at a con, you'll be too busy hobnobbing with your big media buddies.
Just kidding, Austin, you'll always keep it real... as real as a supergenius villain trying to take over the world!
Bwah ha ha ha ha!
Thanks Cory and Jim! In my new life among the media elite I will not forget you. At least, not until my implants heal.
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