to let the reader know whether it would be worth their while to read the work under discussion. Though you will have to include some information about the content of the work, never forget that the object of the review is the presentation of the reviewer’s opinion. Thus the primary concern is to make the reader aware of what you think or feel about the work of art. When the work being analysed is literature, the critical essay is called literary criticism.
It is this type of essay that encompasses the book review, and, hence, the primary concern of this section. In the book review, you as the critic can concern yourself with any one or several of the following: . Impressions – What are your reactions to the work? Did you like it?
Did it appeal to your emotions, to your intellect, or to both? . Analysis – How does the author accomplish his/her avowed objective? Is the style effective?
Is the genre appropriate for the subject matter? How effective is his/ her diction? The character delineation? The choice of setting?
Is the work too long or too short? How extensive is the author’s knowledge of the subject matter? . Interpretation – What does the work mean?
What is the author trying to tell us? Can the work be understood Unit- - - - - without relying on such extrinsic factors as the author’s background? . Orientation – Where does the work fit within the history of literary development?
How does it relate to other works written by the same author? to works on the same subject by other authors? to comparable works of different time periods? .
Valuation – Does the work have some general value - some unique value? Does it appeal to any special group or to most readers? Is the appeal limited in time or is it universal? .
Generalisation – What broad, general statements can be made about the work? Preparing to write the review Now that you have some understanding and awareness of what constitutes a book review and what qualifications