Years ago I had a very close friend who was a film critic, Pauline Kael. Your post about the NYT review of Fly Girl and your remark that reviews don't seem to mean as much as they once did made me think about why Pauline was so important to the culture at that time. If Pauline panned something, people still wanted to see it. They wanted to have a conversation with her, and often wrote her. If they liked it, they'd write her about how wrong she was. If she loved it and they hated it, they'd write her and tell her how wrong she was. Great critics make the world more interested in reading, seeing films or hearing music. But NYT and the rest of traditional media has lost touch with the world on every level, from politics to culture. If we're to believe polls, fewer and fewer people care or believe what the traditional media has to say about anything. Time will tell whether that's a good or bad thing for culture. But you're right - in the meantime, just write.
Yes, and that's not something the stupid NYT review was. I wanted my two minutes reading it back. But at least it made me go pick it up at our local bookstore.
I love your books and your blog/substack! I also give most of my knitting projects away! Thanks for sharing. Dingle was my favorite place in Ireland. 💚
More than thirty years ago, I purchased Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine in a Waldenbooks in the Lincoln (RI) Mall. I was new to RI and was intrigued that the author lived in Providence. I loved the novel and I’ve followed your work ever since. And I loved Fly Girl. (And yes, I read the NYTimes review, and I promptly ignored it.) thank you for sharing your stories and your gifts.
Oh, Melissa! I love this! Remember Waldenbooks??? I actually was living in NYC when Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine came out. But was and will always be a West Warwick girl at heart.
I never read an art's critics comments or reviews. Its highly subjective so why would I care what a reviewer thinks about a particular artist's work. I loved Fly Girl and I'm sorry that the critic wrote what she did - I can only imagine how horrible you must have felt.
Thank you for sharing the good and the bad with your readers. Happy travels!
I very much enjoyed Fly Girl as a memoir of a life experience and am happy that I never read the NYT review (until today, that is). I am of Ann's generation and pursued a career in a then mostly male field. I did well and learned that times change and thankfully atitudes can also. Perspective and data matter! Thank you Ann,for all that you write and share with us.
Not knowing we would be traveling to Basque Country, I actually made the cheesecake for Christmas Eve last year from a NYT recipe. It was delicious, but not transformative like this one. Lets try again with that wine!
I first read Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine shortly after moving to my first apartment post-college. At the time, I had a special shelf for writers named Ann/Anne and all my childhood Green Gables books. When you and Hester were holding your writing sessions during the pandemic, I went to reread it, and couldn’t find it. My aunt surprised me with a new copy, plus Comfort.
Years ago I had a very close friend who was a film critic, Pauline Kael. Your post about the NYT review of Fly Girl and your remark that reviews don't seem to mean as much as they once did made me think about why Pauline was so important to the culture at that time. If Pauline panned something, people still wanted to see it. They wanted to have a conversation with her, and often wrote her. If they liked it, they'd write her about how wrong she was. If she loved it and they hated it, they'd write her and tell her how wrong she was. Great critics make the world more interested in reading, seeing films or hearing music. But NYT and the rest of traditional media has lost touch with the world on every level, from politics to culture. If we're to believe polls, fewer and fewer people care or believe what the traditional media has to say about anything. Time will tell whether that's a good or bad thing for culture. But you're right - in the meantime, just write.
She was also a terrific writer so, agree or disagree, always a wonderful read.
Yes, and that's not something the stupid NYT review was. I wanted my two minutes reading it back. But at least it made me go pick it up at our local bookstore.
I love your books and your blog/substack! I also give most of my knitting projects away! Thanks for sharing. Dingle was my favorite place in Ireland. 💚
Thank you, Rose! Dingle is indeed magical, isn’t it?
More than thirty years ago, I purchased Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine in a Waldenbooks in the Lincoln (RI) Mall. I was new to RI and was intrigued that the author lived in Providence. I loved the novel and I’ve followed your work ever since. And I loved Fly Girl. (And yes, I read the NYTimes review, and I promptly ignored it.) thank you for sharing your stories and your gifts.
Oh, Melissa! I love this! Remember Waldenbooks??? I actually was living in NYC when Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine came out. But was and will always be a West Warwick girl at heart.
I never read an art's critics comments or reviews. Its highly subjective so why would I care what a reviewer thinks about a particular artist's work. I loved Fly Girl and I'm sorry that the critic wrote what she did - I can only imagine how horrible you must have felt.
Thank you for sharing the good and the bad with your readers. Happy travels!
That’s a good philosophy, Rosie! Thank you!
I've loved all of your books. Thank you for taking us along on your trip -- it was beautiiful!
Glad to have you along!
Loved Fly Girl! Loved getting to see you at your reading at Left Bank Books in St. Louis too!!
I very much enjoyed Fly Girl as a memoir of a life experience and am happy that I never read the NYT review (until today, that is). I am of Ann's generation and pursued a career in a then mostly male field. I did well and learned that times change and thankfully atitudes can also. Perspective and data matter! Thank you Ann,for all that you write and share with us.
Yes, they do, Barbara! A good lesson for us all.
I love traveling vicariously with your posts. I think I need to go to that museum and environs. Looks remarkable. Keep enjoying.
You do!
I have an idea! A great one (surely you’ll agree), Michael can make us this cheesecake at a later date (TBD). I’ll bring the wine. 🗽🇺🇸🇨🇦❤️
Not knowing we would be traveling to Basque Country, I actually made the cheesecake for Christmas Eve last year from a NYT recipe. It was delicious, but not transformative like this one. Lets try again with that wine!
I am also great with you making the cheesecake. I can still be responsible for wine.
I first read Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine shortly after moving to my first apartment post-college. At the time, I had a special shelf for writers named Ann/Anne and all my childhood Green Gables books. When you and Hester were holding your writing sessions during the pandemic, I went to reread it, and couldn’t find it. My aunt surprised me with a new copy, plus Comfort.