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A review by annexelizabeth
No Judgment: Essays by Lauren Oyler
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
i'm torn between finding lauren oyler's voice wry and engaging and unbearably smug. she can definitely write an entertaining essay, and there are times when her contrarianism is compelling, but the way she pretty much like. backs away from any sincere or earnest thought she might have is pretty frustrating. she seems much more comfortable tearing into other people's opinions than developing any sharp, unique opinions of her own.
however, despite my reservations, i did find this essay collection to be an enjoyable read. her more Online essays are brisk, funny reads if not exactly enlightening in their observations on internet culture in the 21st century. my favorite essays here were definitely the berlin essay (i will choose to ignore that line that's like "it's striking because, well, lights" out of the kindness of my heart. it was good other than that) and the anxiety essay, probably because they were not so drenched in terminal onlineness.
overall, i did like this essay collection, though it's certainly not perfect. will probably pick up more of oyler's work in the future
however, despite my reservations, i did find this essay collection to be an enjoyable read. her more Online essays are brisk, funny reads if not exactly enlightening in their observations on internet culture in the 21st century. my favorite essays here were definitely the berlin essay (i will choose to ignore that line that's like "it's striking because, well, lights" out of the kindness of my heart. it was good other than that) and the anxiety essay, probably because they were not so drenched in terminal onlineness.
overall, i did like this essay collection, though it's certainly not perfect. will probably pick up more of oyler's work in the future