Association Quote by William S. Burroughs
“Writing prejudicial, off-putting reviews is a precise exercise in applied black magic. The reviewer can draw free-floating disagreeable associations to a book by implying that the book is completely unimportant without saying exactly why, and carefully avoiding any clear images that could capture the reader's full attention.”
About This Quote
He describes how reviewers can subtly undermine a book by using vague, negative language, likening it to a form of black magic.
In simple terms: Reviewers can damage a book with vague criticism.
Key Takeaway
Read reviews critically and form your own opinion.
Themes
literary criticism
language
influence
manipulation
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- publishing
- author reputation
- critical reading
Key Concepts
rhetoric
bias
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify hidden bias in reviews?
- When is criticism constructive?
A Different Perspective
The technique may be overly cynical and dismissive of genuine critique.
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