tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522319810296642659.post8412470698081929439..comments2024-03-28T13:54:54.596-05:00Comments on RA for All: Monday Discussion: What is the Purpose of a Book Review?Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085260877904727608noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-522319810296642659.post-38403438087979083392010-08-30T14:14:47.995-05:002010-08-30T14:14:47.995-05:00There are so many issues raised by this that I don...There are so many issues raised by this that I don't think I could cover them all on a blog. We live in a culture that views literature as a business. Publishers produce books for profit rather than out of a belief in any sort of "art". As long as this is the case, there won't be much difference between the function of a book review and the function of, say, an automobile review or a review of a washer or dryer. Books have been cheapened by corporate interest in a way that other art forms have not. A possible exception is film, but books are far more prolific. Rather than getting angry over a specific book or review or newspaper, perhaps a better course of action is to make an honest assessment of 21st century consumer culture and the place of literature within it. As far as the question "What do you use book reviews for?" I think reviews are a great way to help readers find the right book for them. I also feel that reviews are a great way to help people find the right washer/dryer.John BPL RAnoreply@blogger.com