Learn to Write a Critical Review of a Novel

Learn to Write a Critical Review of a Novel

Looking for practical tips on how to write a professional critical review? We have gathered some efficient ideas from expert writers from SmartWritingService – a professional academic writing company. Follow the given points step by step and you will have a critical review written in no time.

Writing a Stellar Critical Review

  • The overall impression of the book – integral, distinct, powerful, weak, pleasant, miserable.
  • The plot – is it logical, is it “erected,” are there moments that do not work for the development of the plot, etc.
  • Is the story dynamic, slow, tight, driven, torn? How do the dynamics of history correspond to the genre and tasks set for the book? Is not the author trying to “manage the plot,” bending the logic of events for the sake of the plan itself?
  • Heroes – are they described detailed and accurately, are their psychology sufficiently natural, could they do it exactly in the given circumstances? Are these characters sympathetic to the reader, are they sympathetic to each other, author?
  • Language and stylistics – in general, and in the context of the task set.
  • Level of trust in general and in detail. Are the laws of nature and science violated in the book, were such uniforms worn at the given time, or did people speak  French in salons, does the text of prayer sound right?
  • Psychology of relationships – whether there are internal motivations for the characters, for the actions and whether they are enough, do they behave differently or rigidly follow the standard reactions.
  • The basic idea of the text – how ethical, intelligent, original is it? What exactly does the book teach the reader what he wants to say?
  • Reflection – was it possible for the author to translate his plan into an explicit form. Does the reader understand the reality of the cave of dragons or the spacecraft cut? Is it possible to catch the idea of the author from his text from the first reading?
  • Originality – is the idea banal or original, where and what the author borrowed, whom he cites, pervades, rephrase? If it seems that the book opens up a new genre or direction.
  • Mistakes and omissions – catch the fleas and show them to society. Of course, if we are sure that the author is mistaken, and not specifically distorts events and realities. And it happens that it can be caused by the work of unprofessional editor – their omissions can be compared with the masterpieces of the writers themselves.
  • Public significance – does the text identify something useful? For example, it works for patriotic education or national identity and describes complex ethical moments and choices.
  • Post-literary advantages – for example, historical, ethnographic or social significance. A moderately written book may be interesting as a source of information, for instance, about the way and the lives of fighter pilots or courtiers of Catherine the Great.
  • Necessity – whether the selected topic is relevant, whether it is interesting to the society, the target audience.
  • The place of the book in the literary process – how does a particular work correlate with others in its genre, which trend is denoted, developed or completed?
  • My impression – liked or not, what the feelings and thoughts caused. Would you buy this book or only borrow from the library?

It is not necessary to analyze all the items, choose the ones that are more important to you and more relevant to the book at the moment.

Choose the Volume of Your Review

A review of 1800 characters and less is a minimum size for the discussion of the novel. You should include short sentences, minimum adjectives, adverbial rotations, explicit content, and unambiguous conclusion.

A review with a maximum of 5,400 characters is an ideal format for a calm and thorough reflection on one piece. You can talk about the place of the book in the author’s life, draw parallels, add impressions and conclusions, in detail analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the text – and thus do not tire the reader.

A review of more than 5,400 characters is obliged not to be confined to the problems of one book (unless, of course, it is the “Lord of the Rings”). You should elaborate on the literary process and trends of the genre, compare it with similar works, analyze the work of the author in general, actively quote thoughts.