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1. Maybe the broad concept of a “positive” review has been misconstrued in our literary culture. As Wood pointed out above, he really enjoyed Lethem’s book. That he still found significant things to criticize in it reflects – to me – the fact that literature (like thought in general) expands when held up to close critical scrutiny. In other words, we criticize most seriously the things we love, and vice versa. This is why a completely “positive” review is often less interesting than a “mixed” review.
If you are interested in criticism, you have to dip into the comments on Sam Allingham’s review (including this one by Allingham) of Jonathan Lethem’s review of James Wood’s review of Lethem’s book. Eight years ago.
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