“Prolonged, indiscriminate reviewing of books is a quite exceptionally thankless, irritating and exhausting job. It not only involves praising trash but constantly inventing reactions towards books about which one has no spontaneous feeling whatever.”
- June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950
- Born in India during the British colonial period
- Author, journalist
- Through his representative works “1984” and “Animal Farm,” he presented sharp criticism of totalitarianism and the abuse of power, greatly influencing contemporary literature and thought.
Quote
“Prolonged, indiscriminate reviewing of books is a quite exceptionally thankless, irritating and exhausting job. It not only involves praising trash but constantly inventing reactions towards books about which one has no spontaneous feeling whatever.”
Explanation
In this quote, George Orwell offers a critique of the role of a book reviewer, highlighting the frustrations and ethical dilemmas that come with reviewing books in a superficial or uncritical manner. Orwell suggests that reviewing books—especially when done in a prolonged or indiscriminate fashion—can be a thankless task that drains the reviewer’s energy and creativity. The job requires the reviewer to praise books that might not deserve it, while also having to invent responses or opinions about books that do not elicit any genuine or spontaneous reaction. This speaks to the disconnect between personal feeling and the forced articulation of opinions, particularly in the world of literary criticism or commercial publishing, where objectivity or marketing interests often take precedence over genuine reflection.
Orwell’s experience as a writer and critic, particularly during his time working for publications like The Tribune and The Observer, informed his opinion about the superficiality of much literary criticism. He was often critical of the way literary works were marketed and reviewed, especially when personal biases, commercial interests, or the status of authors influenced critical assessments. Orwell valued honesty and integrity in criticism, believing that reviews should reflect genuine engagement with the text rather than follow the conventional or commercial pressures of the publishing world.
This idea is still relevant in the world of book criticism today, especially as the volume of books published increases and commercial pressures sometimes overshadow the quality of critical discourse. Many reviewers face the dilemma of writing positive reviews for books they feel are subpar or manufacturing enthusiasm for books they have little emotional response to. Orwell’s quote serves as a reminder of the importance of authenticity in criticism, urging reviewers to engage with books honestly and thoughtfully, rather than simply fulfilling a professional or commercial obligation. It speaks to the broader issue of integrity in public discourse and the challenge of balancing personal conviction with external expectations.
