Hailed as "exhilarating and suggestive" (Spectator), "thought-provoking and entertaining" (David Lodge, Sunday Times), and "incisive and inspiratio...
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Aug 12, 2010
Pete
rated it: 
At times, especially in the first half of the book, Carey is ridiculously abrasive. This is a decent trait for polemical writing, however, as the emotional reaction it can trigger in a reader leads to critical thinking. In the end, Carey puts up a pretty fierce argument that literature is by far the highest art form, in large part because it is the only art that can reason. I was like, "Whoop!"
Sep 29, 2010
Betsy
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This is a thought provoking book. It's the kind of book that I would recommend to a book club if I was in one and then we would have one of the best discussions we've had. I would encourage anyone who works in the arts or consumes high quantities of both "high" culture and "low" culture to read this. If you think that looking at a Monet is a fundamentally more valuable experience than watching an episode of Jersey Shore, prepare to have a debate with this man. I gave it four
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Mar 15, 2009
Fraser
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Best quote from the book (in my lit. major opinion):
"..My claim is different. It is that literature gives you ideas to think with. It stocks your mind. It does not indoctrinate, because diversity, counter-argument, reappraisal and qualification are its essence. But it supplies the materials for thought. Also , because it is the only art capable of criticism, it encourages questioning, and self-questioning."
"..My claim is different. It is that literature gives you ideas to think with. It stocks your mind. It does not indoctrinate, because diversity, counter-argument, reappraisal and qualification are its essence. But it supplies the materials for thought. Also , because it is the only art capable of criticism, it encourages questioning, and self-questioning."
Sep 12, 2008
Diana
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I badly wanted to like this book. I bought it because Nick Hornby raved about it in The Complete Polysyllabic Spree. I thought it was going to knock down all the phoneyness and bullshit, which plagues the arts. I was sure I would love it. But, I got halfway through and gave up because that was enough to convince me that he doesn't know what he's talking about. His definition of a work of art is 'anything that anyone has ever considered a work of art'. In other words anything, and correspondingly
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Oct 01, 2010
saher
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Dispels the self-righteous delusions about the power of Art an excellent book just for the critical thinking involved even if you don't have to agree with the author.
Feb 03, 2010
Hava
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After loving the first part of this book, in which Carey carefully examines the evidence behind the arts in general, I found myself totally hating the second party, in which Carey critical inquiry disintegrates into a rather boring interpretation of British literature. In his blind love and respect for classical literature, he falls prey to the exact vices that he critiques with such wit in other authors. He blindly presents his own opinions and elitist value judgements about literature as fac
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Apr 30, 2010
Esther
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Am I really a better person for having wandered around art museums, and having sat through symphonies, and having read a few classics? Does spending an afternoon staring at Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" give me character and depth? Or does it just make me feel superior to the people who prefer Archie comics and video games?
John Carey asks some really interesting questions. I don't agree with everything he says, but I like the questions. Why haven't more writers address More...
John Carey asks some really interesting questions. I don't agree with everything he says, but I like the questions. Why haven't more writers address More...
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Mar 26, 2008
Carol
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Interested to get this well known English art reviewer's opinion on the value of the arts. The most interesting thought he had was that writing was the best form of the arts because of it's vast ability to communicate to many people. Other than that, he was quite the snob!
May 07, 2008
Didn't finish it, but not because I don't enjoy a good deconstruction of the arts. I had to get on a plane and return it lest I come home to face killer over-due library fines (and if you've ever been a Terp, you'll understand).
Oct 01, 2007
Jane
rated it:
A really great read. There are some holes in Carey's arguments, but his combative, witty style carries him through. A very pro-art (no, not Pro Hart) book that seems to have pissed off just about every art critic in Britain.
Dec 17, 2009
Ellen
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I really enjoyed this humorous attack on pretension, which simultaneously elevates literature, including poetry, to deserving new heights for individual appreciation. Then again, who am I to judge? ;p
Sep 03, 2008
Gregoire
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Some interesting points, but the whole argumentation is so narrow and self-contradictory that it makes the book a pain to read. I should have avoided this.
Mar 18, 2008
Andrew
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Well. I was curious and found out that not only do the arts serve a purpose, but that literature is supreme among them. Works for me.
Nov 11, 2007
Johnjavins
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Kant's definition of art is ridiculous. Music is under appreciated but well funded. more later..
Jul 10, 2008
Dave
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I especially liked how Carey takes on high art's supposed superiority over low art.
Feb 12, 2012
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