My governing principle as a critic is to call attention solely to books and writers that merit such attention, and to avoid whenever possible reviewing books "negatively" except in those instances in which the "negative" is countered by an admiring consideration of earlier books by the same author.
In her book "Uncensored: Views & (Re)views," Joyce Carol Oates expresses her approach as a critic, emphasizing a focus on highlighting books and authors that deserve recognition. She believes in promoting quality literature and aims to limit negative reviews, preferring to accentuate the positive aspects of an author’s work whenever possible.
Oates argues that if she must critique a book unfavorably, it should be balanced by a reference to the author’s previous, more commendable works. This principle reflects her dedication to constructive criticism and her desire to foster appreciation for literature, rather than to diminish it through harsh assessments.
