Weariness of the Flesh
F the reviewing of books.over the air there is no end, but a good deal of wearying of listeners’ attention. Many, no doubt, tune into these sessions simply seeking the title of a decent novel to borrow from the library or book club over the week-end, and, if all they get besides, is a stodgy résumé of the plot, then presumably they don’t worry. The book reviewer from 1YZ, whose session prompts these remarks, follows this pattern of reviewing pretty faith-
fully, and so do quite a number of other reviewers. But book reviews, for many people, do not really fall into the same category as stock market reports, and something more should be given the listener than a mere descriptive catalogue of contents, with title, author and publisHer. Surely the first essential is to interest the listener, and, as anyone who Has tried to pass on his opinion of a book knows, the worst and dullest way to set about it is to re-tell the plot. Some information about the contents of the book must obviously be given, but the main thing for general reviewing is that the reviewer should convey to his listeners a definite personal impression, having himself as pre-requisites a warm and human approach,, width of literary background and sound critical standards.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19500224.2.19.7
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 22, Issue 557, 24 February 1950, Page 11
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220Weariness of the Flesh New Zealand Listener, Volume 22, Issue 557, 24 February 1950, Page 11
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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