Are We Not Allowed to Criticise Anymore? The Significant Role of Criticism in the Reading Community

Reading, an activity once overshadowed by the growth of the digital world, has resurged in recent years through the same medium which led to its decline in the first place. However, like any other trend, this one also faced challenges, one of which is the perception of criticism as hate. As certain books gain popularity in the online reading community, critiques are often dismissed, labelled elitist, or perceived as intending to “be different” from the masses. But what does this mean for a community where dialogue and criticism are fundamental to meaningful and creative discussions? The question arises: Are we not allowed to criticise anymore? And subsequently, why is it important to do so? 

Trends have always been a part of literature, much like any other human pursuit such as fashion or gaming. Therefore, the trend of reading, or specific trends in reading are not new phenomena but very familiar ones, as is the negative reaction towards them. One comes across a wide variety of books on their social media feed, but like any social media trend, certain books and genres inevitably take the spotlight. Naturally, these popular books get subjected to criticism. This brings us to question of what it means when this criticism is perceived as hate rather than a valid opinion in the reading community, which has always thrived on critical thinking and meaningful discussions. 

There’s a major sentiment of “letting everyone read what they want” expressed in the online book community, often as a response to criticism of books one loves. Take, for instance, the recent backlash against Colleen Hoover, author of the popular novel It Ends With Us, who gained massive popularity through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The book has been criticised for being marketed on these platforms with a large viewership of impressionable young teenagers as supposedly a romance when it is a text revolving around domestic violence, as well as its perceived romanticization of the topic and the overall writing style. The backlash against the book has been widely regarded as just another trend, with many saying that it has now become cool to hate on this book and the author, refusing to hear or consider any critique of something they hold dear. While the notion of letting people read and enjoy whatever they want is fair and justified, it shouldn’t be used to dismiss opinions or criticism, and the space to indulge in constructive dialogue as just another “trend”.

One of the most valued aspects of the reading community is the space to discuss books, share opinions, and express criticism or praise freely. Writing is an art, and its perception is largely subjective, with the individual’s unique experiences of it leading to diversity in opinions. The trends in reading have also been subjected to criticism, including the quality of books that are being marketed, popularised, and sold on social media platforms. “Popular” books have been criticised for their formulaic nature, with similar plotlines and characters, reflecting the tendency to market books based on predictable tropes rather than unique qualities on social media platforms.

New popular fantasy books such as Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros or Lightlark by Alex Aster are being criticised for their supposedly recycled and predictable plots. This rise of “tropefication”— introducing a book through its tropes to fit the time constraints of short video content — reduces an entire book to a few phrases or indicators of what plotlines are to be expected, which has been said to take away the profound and complex nature of literature. Additionally, tropes can give away crucial details of the plot, often subjecting the viewer to spoilers. While some do seem to prefer knowing beforehand, it can ruin the experiences of many. For instance, there is an influx of books being marketed through the popular trope “enemies to lovers” on social media, which results in an instant buy for some while those who prefer to go blind into the book have it spoiled for them. Publishing houses are producing books fitting these popular tropes because ultimately, they do sell. They are read, recommended, and celebrated widely, making them part of the mainstream reading experience and hence, also subject to criticism. 

There exists a notion that those who comment on the quality of books or critique popular books are “elitist”. The term carries a connotation of superiority, which is why criticism that is perceived as elitism is not taken seriously. This isn’t to say that elitists, who believe themselves to be superior in their reading preferences, aren’t present in the community. This article doesn’t include nor endorse the elitist mindset. It is merely aiming to express the importance of critical thinking and a space to freely express one’s opinions with mutual respect to foster healthy and meaningful discussion. Any criticism or different opinions being dismissed due to a perception of it being elitist diminishes the value of constructive dialogue within the community. 

The various opinions, ideas, and thoughts that arise from consuming any piece of art are central to the true appraisal of it. As Roland Barthes said, “The birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the author.” After all, a book was an idea at first that grew into a complex work of literature. Engaging in constructive conversations and accepting that different realities exist — as perception is subjective — is the key to truly enjoying being a “reader” in a community. Personally, that’s the part I love besides the reading: the connections one can forge over pieces of fiction, the discussions, debates, various interpretations, and perspectives that others’ experiences bring – allowing one to view the work in nuanced ways. One can love a book while also acknowledging it as a piece of writing that not all readers may feel the same about, viewing its criticism not as hate but as a valuable part of literary discourse. Embracing diverse opinions and acknowledging the complexities of trends in reading can lead to a healthy and rich experience of literature, furthering dialogue and a broader understanding of it, both in real life and in online spaces.

Sidra Aman is pursuing English Literature from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Edited By: Sana Faiz