--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The best critics do not worry about what…" description: "\"The best critics do not worry about what the author might think. That would be like a detective worrying about what a suspect might think. Instead, the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/craig-brown-10015_about_the-best-critics-do-not-worry-about-what_888533.jpg" --- # The best critics do not worry about what the author might… ![“The best critics do not worry about what the author might think. That would be like a detective worrying about what a suspect might think. Instead, they treat the reader as an intelligent friend, and describe the book as honestly, and as entertainingly, as possible.” quote by Craig Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/craig-brown-10015_about_the-best-critics-do-not-worry-about-what_888533.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/craig-brown-10015_about_the-best-critics-do-not-worry-about-what_888533.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/craig-brown-10015_about_the-best-critics-do-not-worry-about-what_888533.jpg) > “The best critics do not worry about what the author might think. That would be like a detective worrying about what a suspect might think. Instead, they treat the reader as an intelligent friend, and describe the book as honestly, and as entertainingly, as possible.” [Craig Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critics should treat readers as intelligent friends, not worry about the author's opinion. **In simple terms:** Critics focus on the reader, not the author’s feelings. Key Takeaway Write criticism that respects the reader’s intelligence. Themes criticism author‑reader relationship honesty Mood analytical thoughtful Type literary professional When to use this quote - book reviews - film analysis - academic essays Key Concepts objectivity friendliness Questions to Reflect On - How does treating readers as friends change criticism? - What balance between honesty and respect is needed? A Different Perspective May ignore legitimate author intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Author](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/author/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Detective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detective/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) [Worrying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worrying/) ## Related quotes > [Press critics worry that the rise of media polarization threatens the foundation of credible, common information that American politics needs to thrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-harwood/press-critics-worry-that-the-rise-of-media-polarization-threatens-the/) [John Harwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-harwood/) > [We are pretty sure that we and our pets share the same reality, until one day we come home to find that our wistful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrill-markoe/we-are-pretty-sure-that-we-and-our-pets-share-the-same-reality-until/) [Merrill Markoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merrill-markoe/) > [The best critics of America are Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-klein/the-best-critics-of-america-are-americans/) [William Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-klein/) > [The best critics leave the reader curious to pursue something further, but still to let the reader have his or her own honest, unique…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hersch/the-best-critics-leave-the-reader-curious-to-pursue-something-further/) [Michael Hersch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hersch/) > [Time is the best of critics; and patience the best of teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-chopin/time-is-the-best-of-critics-and-patience-the-best-of-teachers/) [Frederic Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-chopin/) > [I am a completely horizontal author. 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As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' 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