A review by sterlingisreading
No Judgement: On Being Critical by Lauren Oyler

funny informative reflective fast-paced

3.75

Lauren Oyler has always held a unique interest for me. Whether she’s ripping Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror to shreds (a book I love, by a writer I respect) or going on the Goop cruise to write an article about it, her work is always fun to read. As much as I love Tolentino, I read Oyler’s criticism of her book with maniacal glee. She’s an interesting literary critic. She is unapologetic, her words have teeth. This book of essays covers topics that I think about a lot, like gossip, autofiction, spoilers, and the irritating existence of Brené Brown’s “groundbreaking” Ted Talk on vulnerability and the hollow, pseudo-therapeutic proliferation of the term that has followed in the years since. I don’t have any interest in Oyler’s novel, but I’m always excited to read her criticism, essays, and commentary.