Book people face audience verdict: “Boring”

7 September 2010 Wheeler Centre: "Critical Failure: Book criticism" Panel debating the state of book criticism/reviewing. Q&A portion, 7 pm, audience member takes the mike and declares:

"This is boring." Murmur of agreement, smattering of applause. . Gideon Haig: Haven't I offended enough people? Hilary McPhee: Why are we talking about print? Gideon: Because we're talking about book criticism. . Hilary McPhee to Peter Craven: At your very best you're writing into world literature. At your worst you're writing for the dough. So your stuff is patchy. Hilary: I'm not as despondent as Gideon. Gideon: I'm not despondent, I'm quite cheerful! Hilary: I like writers rather than criticism. Colm Toibin, Frank Kermode, David Lodge, Terry Eagleton. Overheard remark about Hilary, who kept looking down and scribbling: What was she doing all night? The crossword? . Rebecca Starford's preferred book critics: Clive James, James Ley [plus one, lost in the silence] . Audience member: What makes a good review? Peter Craven: Oh, accuracy, style, enchantment. What do you want? Craven: There's a new market for high brow trash. People think they should reach no higher than Stieg Larsson. Craven on Geordie Williamson (chief lit crit, the Australian): ... how far back his memory stretches -- about ten years. He's forever rediscovering the wheel: "Hasn't anyone heard of Christina Stead!?" Craven: I think Owen Richardson is a better reviewer than James Wood. Cathy Ford over Joyce Carol Oates. Craven: Some of D.H. Lawrence's writing is crypto-critical, and it transcends criticism. Craven: I misunderstood Gideon's article which I didn't read.