October 13th, 2008 / 12:19 pm
 Uncategorized

when criticism is actually critical we call it MEAN

I wish I could tell you how many people–editors, event hosts, other writers–have approached me privately, strictly off-the-record, and complained about how much they disliked Valzhyna Mort’s Factory of Tears. But nobody wants to be the one to call Franz Wright and his Pulitzer out on their bullshit, much less risk ruffling the feathers of her otherwise highly venerable and respectable publisher, Copper Canyon. (Note: those are non-ironic assessments of CC. They publish Ben Lerner, Erin Belieu, and all sorts of other writers I love.)

Anyway, The Poets&Writers May/June covergirl has, as near as I can tell, racked up exactly ONE critical review. It was written by yours truly, for Coldfront magazine in April. I think Mean Week is a good time for everyone to revisit my work and tell me how brave I am.

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12 Comments

  1. October 13th, 2008 / 4:26 pm Blake Butler—

      nice. i need to write more critical reviews outside of mean week, esp. of bigger entities. i like your title to the post, it sums the shitz up.

  2. October 13th, 2008 / 12:26 pm Blake Butler—

      nice. i need to write more critical reviews outside of mean week, esp. of bigger entities. i like your title to the post, it sums the shitz up.

  3. October 13th, 2008 / 5:55 pm Blake Butler—

      the review is really good.

  4. October 13th, 2008 / 1:55 pm Blake Butler—

      the review is really good.

  5. October 13th, 2008 / 6:36 pm pr—

      I’d read this. It was very thoughtful and engaged deeply with the language. I still like the little of her work I’ve read, but I appreciate your closer reading.

  6. October 13th, 2008 / 2:36 pm pr—

      I’d read this. It was very thoughtful and engaged deeply with the language. I still like the little of her work I’ve read, but I appreciate your closer reading.

  7. October 14th, 2008 / 2:05 am Adam R—

      Robinson here, writing from home to say yeah, but, I saw her read and it was really good.

  8. October 13th, 2008 / 10:05 pm Adam R—

      Robinson here, writing from home to say yeah, but, I saw her read and it was really good.

  9. October 14th, 2008 / 2:07 am Adam R—

      Oh, so that was smart of you to talk about how people talk about how her readings are good.

  10. October 13th, 2008 / 10:07 pm Adam R—

      Oh, so that was smart of you to talk about how people talk about how her readings are good.

  11. October 14th, 2008 / 5:53 am FW—

      I have often noticed that envy has a terrible effect on one’s mind and the things one says–and I suspect this may be true even of people as sternly objective and mature as you and your editors, event hosts (whatever that is) and other writers. But I am sure you will outgrow this in time. Best, FW

  12. October 14th, 2008 / 1:53 am FW—

      I have often noticed that envy has a terrible effect on one’s mind and the things one says–and I suspect this may be true even of people as sternly objective and mature as you and your editors, event hosts (whatever that is) and other writers. But I am sure you will outgrow this in time. Best, FW