Better Living Through Criticism

In A.O. Scott’s Better Living Through Criticism we get a glimpse into why Scott thinks criticism is important and how he thinks it should be done. The somewhat dry style of his writing throughout this book makes it hard to absorb at times, but he does give the reader a good understanding of why criticism is important. Through reading this book, I have learned that criticism is meant to start a conversation about a piece of culture. Scott has taught me that criticism doesn’t always have a negative connotation. Art and criticism go hand in hand, and in a way criticism is an art on its own. Putting thought into why a piece is good or bad, why it makes you feel the way it does is a natural response. Before reading this book, I never really put much thought into how art can reflect the human experience, and now I cant look at any culture really without that question buzzing through my head. While Better Living Through Criticism may not have been a captivating read, it changed my perception of art and culture, and taught me to take a closer look at them.