What: In Sontag & Kael, Craig Seligman, who is himself a successful critic, examines the lives and work of two (in)famous critics, Susan Sontag and Pauline Kael.
The dichotomy of their critical approaches (Sontag is intellectually rigorous and austere; Kael is passionate and argumentative) effectively serves to highlight why both women were pioneers in modern criticism. In different ways, they each changed the way we think --- and talk --- about the world.
Comparable to: Read some Pauline Kael. Read some Susan Sontag. Mash them together and tie it up with a third articulate, perceptive voice. That's basically this book.
Representative quote: "Ours is indeed an age of extremity. For we live under threat of two equally fearful, but seemingly opposed, destinies: unremitting banality and inconceivable terror." [Susan Sontag, post-9/11]
You might not like it if: You're just looking for some movie recommendations.
How to get it: It's in print, but not (yet) Kindle-able. A very good, short book for commuting via public transit! You will be able to sit and nod sagely on the train.
Comparable to: Read some Pauline Kael. Read some Susan Sontag. Mash them together and tie it up with a third articulate, perceptive voice. That's basically this book.
Representative quote: "Ours is indeed an age of extremity. For we live under threat of two equally fearful, but seemingly opposed, destinies: unremitting banality and inconceivable terror." [Susan Sontag, post-9/11]
You might not like it if: You're just looking for some movie recommendations.
How to get it: It's in print, but not (yet) Kindle-able. A very good, short book for commuting via public transit! You will be able to sit and nod sagely on the train.
[Originally posted 3/29/11.]
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