McLaren, John (1980) Book reviewing. UNSPECIFIED. (Unpublished)

Abstract

Contains a discussion about book reviewing and its effectiveness, defining book reviewers as both parasites and servants of literature: ‘Without the writer the reviewer would have no work, yet it is probably through the reviews that the writer has the best chance of speaking to an audience. The reviewer however is not merely the huckster who drums up the crowds, but, like the man in front of the tent, for much of the crowd he is the show.’ Also discussed are systematic reviews of new books provided in Australian newspapers and major literary periodicals and the condition of book reviewing in Australia. Presented is the view that the reviewer's task is more complex in relation to poetry and fiction as poetry reviewers are not only confronted with a bewildering variety of books, but also they have to contend with a lack of either any great demonstrated public interest in contemporary poetry or any generally agreed standards of judgement.

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