Air Quote by John Irving
![“So, you see, it's a real chore for me to write a book review because it's like a contest. It's like I'm writing that book review for every bad book reviewer I've ever known and it's a way of saying [thrusts a middle finger into the air] this is how you ought to do it. I like to rub their noses in…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b5d/john-irving-337_air_so-you-see-it-s-a-real-chore-for-me-to-w_1152495.jpg)
“So, you see, it's a real chore for me to write a book review because it's like a contest. It's like I'm writing that book review for every bad book reviewer I've ever known and it's a way of saying [thrusts a middle finger into the air] this is how you ought to do it. I like to rub their noses in it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Author Talk, 2023
Writing a review feels like a competitive challenge, prompting a desire to outshine mediocre critics.
In simple terms: Reviewing feels like a contest.
Key Takeaway
Channel competitive energy into constructive critique.
Themes
competition
criticism
motivation
Mood
defiant
humorous
Type
satirical
personal
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- literary criticism
- personal writing projects
Key Concepts
creative writing
psychology of rivalry
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your need to prove superiority?
- How can you balance competitiveness with fairness?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on competition may hinder honest evaluation.
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