Dwight Garner, a prominent critic and author from The New York Times Book Review, shares his insights from the literary world. He discusses the fine line of critiquing debut authors versus established ones, alongside his love for peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. Garner humorously explores the cultural significance of lunch and his membership in The Organ Meat Society. He also delves into the world of cookbooks, sharing his passion for collecting them, and shares personal martini-making rituals, all while reflecting on the impact of literature today.
Dwight Garner emphasizes the importance of openness in writing, comparing it to a platter of cold cuts that invites reader connection.
He reflects on the cultural attitudes towards lunch, advocating for leisurely meals over quick consumption to enhance one's dining experience.
Garner navigates the delicate balance of honest book criticism, advocating for constructive feedback while remaining empathetic to the authors he reviews.
Deep dives
Embracing Openness in Writing
Being open in writing is emphasized as a vital aspect of Dwight Garner's approach. He likens his transparency to a platter of cold cuts, suggesting that his life experiences are available for anyone to slice and take from. This notion of vulnerability contrasts with the public's general aversion to certain subjects like organ meats, reflecting the author's attempt to address deeper societal issues through a humorous lens. Garner argues that this openness helps to foster connections with readers while allowing for deeper engagement with the material.
The Significance of Lunch
In Garner's view, lunch is not just a meal but a reflection of one's character and lifestyle. He discusses the American Puritanical attitude towards lunch, where meals are to be consumed quickly as opposed to enjoying them leisurely. His own lunch habits lean towards lighter meals to avoid afternoon slumps, although he roams into decadent lunches occasionally. He expresses a fondness for traditional, leisurely meals, indicating that the restaurant culture in New York offers unique dining experiences that should be savored, despite the costs.
The Unconventional Peanut Butter and Pickles
Garner reveals his fondness for peanut butter and pickle sandwiches, which he once deemed unappealing in childhood. His experiential discovery of the sandwich exemplifies an open palate and willingness to embrace unconventional flavor combinations. This favorite snack serves as a testament to his everyday life and accessibility to food, as he highlights its simplicity while also discussing its newfound popularity. He humorously recounts challenges faced when presenting this beloved sandwich to fellow food writers, indicating a cultural hesitation towards unconventional food pairings.
The Reading Process in a Distracting World
Garner emphasizes the challenge of reading in an age dominated by digital distractions, particularly smartphones. To manage his reading time effectively, he employs a method of setting a timer to eliminate the temptation to check his phone. This technique allows him to absorb large volumes of work while maintaining focus on his task. He admits to occasionally revisiting paragraphs he has skimmed over due to distraction, reinforcing the notion that attentive reading is essential, especially in crafting thoughtful book reviews.
Balancing Critique with Kindness
As a book critic, Garner grapples with the responsibility of offering honest assessments while remaining empathetic to the authors. He describes the delicate balance of critiquing a new writer versus an established one, where he avoids striking too harshly. He believes readers appreciate candor in reviews, which often helps them navigate the abundance of publications. His approach advocates for constructive criticism, even if it may lead to uncomfortable encounters with the authors, emphasizing the importance of honesty in literary discourse.
Dwight Garner is one of the most feared and yet funny voices in the pages of The New York Times Book Review, where he's one of their most beloved critics, as well as the former editor. He's now the author of a brand new book called The Upstairs Delicatessen and in today's session we talk all about being a book critic with a book, facing the authors whose books he pans, reading his wife's work, how he stays focused (and gets through three hundred pages in a day), and how he knows so many literary quotes. We also cover his membership in The Organ Meat Society, the three martini lunch, how he makes his martinis, celebrity cookbooks, our dogs, and much much more.
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