Against Interpretation

Against Interpretation cover
Good Books rating 4.62
Technical
  • ID: 4446
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Reviews: 2
Reviews
Michael Dean's Blog · Michael Dean · 2024-07-20
refreshing 4.50

Sontag's thesis is bold and challenges traditional art and criticism. The focus on form and experience over interpretation is refreshing.

Michael Dean highlights Sontag's bold thesis, which challenges centuries of art and criticism. He appreciates her focus on form and experience over interpretation, finding it a refreshing perspective. Dean sees this approach as a way to deepen the appreciation of art, allowing the viewer to engage more directly with the work. He finds Sontag's ideas thought-provoking and believes they offer a valuable alternative to traditional critical methods.


Quick quotes

    Sontag has a bold thesis that challenges centuries of art and criticism, and it's pretty simple: don't interpret meaning, focus on form and experience.

    This approach allows for a deeper appreciation of art, one that is not mediated by layers of interpretation.

    Sontag's ideas are thought-provoking and offer a valuable alternative to traditional critical methods.

The New York Times · A.O. Scott · 2019-10-08
profound 4.75

Sontag's influence is profound and has shaped the reviewer's life as a critic. Her work is seen as a significant cultural force.

A.O. Scott reflects on the profound influence Susan Sontag has had on his life as a critic. He views her work as a significant cultural force that has shaped his perspective and approach to criticism. Scott appreciates Sontag's ability to challenge conventional thinking and her commitment to exploring new ideas. He finds her essays to be a source of inspiration and a reminder of the power of intellectual curiosity.


Quick quotes

    The critic A.O. Scott reflects on the outsize influence Sontag has had on his life as a critic.

    Her work is a significant cultural force that has shaped my perspective and approach to criticism.

    Sontag's ability to challenge conventional thinking and her commitment to exploring new ideas are truly inspiring.