The Written World: Essays & Reviews

Critics are people who love art and hate to see it traduced. They are optimists at heart and believe that good art requires explanation. Kevin Power has reviewed almost 350 books and has fallen in love with the writing of criticism. His pieces range from reviews of Susan Sontag to the meaning of Greta Thunberg, apocalyptic politics, and literary theory. T he Written World is a book about writing, seen from various positions, and about growth as an artist and a critic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: The Lilliput Press Ltd

Art is a celebration of the world, and criticism is a celebration of art, even when it seeks to undermine it. A negative review is rarely written out of malice, but rather from a disappointed idealism. Critics are individuals who have a deep love for art and a strong desire to see it respected. As a result, they continually express their frustration by saying, "You're doing it wrong." What the critic truly desires is for you to improve and excel.

Since 2008, acclaimed novelist Kevin Power has reviewed nearly three hundred and fifty books. In an interview, he reveals, "Even now, as I crack open a brand-new hardback with my pencil in hand, I feel the same pleasure and the same hope. That's the great secret: every critic is an optimist at heart."

Art that possesses both thought and emotion, often referred to as "good art," necessitates explanation. The act of writing criticism in response to such art has a long history, dating back to Aristotle's exploration of what made tragedy effective. It was during his tenure as a regular freelance reviewer for the Sunday Business Post that Kevin Power discovered his passion for criticism and the art of reading it, particularly by talented novelists who review books. His conclusion is that criticism is indeed an art, but it reaches its highest form when practiced by an artist.

These pieces, spanning from reviews of Susan Sontag to the significance of Greta Thunberg, apocalyptic politics, and literary theory, represent a decade's worth of contemplation on books. They serve as a record of the authors' efforts to honor art and, through art, the world. In his book, T he Written World, Power delves into his journey into criticism and offers his insights into what he believes criticism to be. The book begins and ends with a series of personal essays, including "The Lost Decade," which provides a candid account of his struggles and setbacks.

Through his writing, Kevin Power invites readers to explore the world of criticism and appreciate the profound impact that it can have on the art and the world. He reminds us that criticism is not just about criticizing, but about celebrating and promoting the things that we love. By engaging with criticism, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and the art that surrounds us, and we can use that understanding to create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 139 x 215 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843518327