A review by tifferschang
Forty-One False Starts: Essays on Artists and Writers by Janet Malcolm

3.0

I have always respected the ability of the pen. But I have never seen the sharpness and strength of the pen until I had read a Janet Malcolm piece. Malcolm's writing has always either opened my eyes to the art world, or forced me to appreciate how everything either stems from this world or attributes to it; everything contributes to everything, and has meaning. This collection of her essays has only served to deepen my respect for her and the pen as her instrument of wonder. I will honest that this collection should not be used as an introduction to Malcolm, but rather for those who are already familiar with her work. While some of the essays hit the mark, otherwise did fly by me. But therein lies the genius of Malcolm, though she may be ten times more intelligent than me, there is no other journalist that I am as willing to cede that statement to.