The New Yorker’s blog has posted over the last few days many words from notable authors on John Updike. Mary Hawthorne said, “In keeping with his intense curiosity was a corresponding generosity toward anyone who dared to grapple with, for lack of a better word, the human condition. He had ideas about what book reviewing should be.” Ideas like this:
“1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.
2. Give enough direct quotation—at least one extended passage—of the book’s prose so the review’s reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.”
The blog of the National Book Critics Circle Board of Directors reproduced these in their entirety a couple years ago. You can read it here.
Yes, those are on The New Yorker’s blog too through that second link.