“ The greatest fault of the writer who does me the honour to review me is that he is not a critic. ”
Guy de Maupassant, Pierre and Jean (1888). copy citation
| Author | Guy de Maupassant |
|---|---|
| Source | Pierre and Jean |
| Topic | critics honour |
| Date | 1888 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Clara Bell |
| Weblink | https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Pierre_and_Jean_(Bell,_1902) |
Context
“Among many laudatory phrases, I invariably meet with this observation, penned by the same critics: "The greatest fault of this book is that it is not, strictly speaking, a novel."
The same form might be adopted in reply:
The greatest fault of the writer who does me the honour to review me is that he is not a critic. For what are, in fact, the essential characteristics of a critic?
It is necessary that, without preconceived notions, prejudices of "School," or partisanship for any class of artists, he should appreciate, distinguish, and explain the most antagonistic tendencies and the most dissimilar temperaments, recognising and accepting the most varied efforts of art.” source
The same form might be adopted in reply:
The greatest fault of the writer who does me the honour to review me is that he is not a critic. For what are, in fact, the essential characteristics of a critic?
It is necessary that, without preconceived notions, prejudices of "School," or partisanship for any class of artists, he should appreciate, distinguish, and explain the most antagonistic tendencies and the most dissimilar temperaments, recognising and accepting the most varied efforts of art.” source
