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No Judgment: Essays Hardcover – March 19, 2024
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"The essay collection everyone’s talking about."—New York
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2024: Elle, The Millions, LitHub, Nylon, BookPage, PureWow, and more
From the national bestselling novelist and essayist, a groundbreaking collection of brand-new pieces about the role of cultural criticism in our ever-changing world.
In her writing for Harper’s, the London Review of Books, The New Yorker, and elsewhere, Lauren Oyler has emerged as one of the most trenchant and influential critics of her generation, a talent whose judgments on works of literature—whether celebratory or scarily harsh—have become notorious. But what is the significance of being a critic and consumer of media in today’s fraught environment? How do we understand ourselves, and each other, as space between the individual and the world seems to get smaller and smaller, and our opinions on books and movies seem to represent something essential about our souls? And to put it bluntly, why should you care what she—or anyone—thinks?
In this, her first collection of essays, Oyler writes with about topics like the role of gossip in our exponentially communicative society, the rise and proliferation of autofiction, why we’re all so “vulnerable” these days, and her own anxiety. In her singular prose—sharp yet addictive, expansive yet personal—she encapsulates the world we live and think in with precision and care, delivering a work of cultural criticism as only she can.
Bringing to mind the works of such iconic writers as Susan Sontag, Pauline Kael, and Terry Castle, No Judgment is a testament to Lauren Oyler’s inimitable wit and her quest to understand how we shape the world through culture. It is a sparkling nonfiction debut from one of today’s most inventive thinkers.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperOne
- Publication dateMarch 19, 2024
- Dimensions6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100063235358
- ISBN-13978-0063235359
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"[Oyler’s] sense of humor is present, as is her agile thinking….Several essays here provoked the surprising thought, ‘This is the sanest thing I have ever read on this topic.' . . . These episodes are fluidly stitched together with added context from history and literature, which is the structure of most of the essays in the book. At its best, it feels like your smart friend explaining to you something you missed on the internet, why it’s important and what it means. . . . Oyler is a sharp and confident critic." — New York Times Book Review
"The essay collection everyone’s talking about." — New York
"Witty, agile essays from the novelist and New Yorker writer with a talent for cutting through the hype…stimulating company on the page." — The Guardian
"Here, Oyler writes about her profession, her own anxiety, and topics from gossip to vulnerability—giving all a close, honest look that leaves the reader with a kind of clarity that didn't exist before." — Town & Country
"Oyler is one of our sharpest and most fearless cultural critics. . . . Opining on gossip and anxiety, autofiction and vulnerability, and much, much more, [her] caustic wit and penetrating voice shine through every essay." — Sophia Stewart, The Millions
"These peppery inquiries are rigorously informed, deftly composed, and deeply conceptualized interpretations of human foibles and endeavors in a world feverish with social media and hooked to the 'attention economy' . . . Oyler is frank, fierce, funny, and brilliant; her brainy, passionate criticism exhilarating." — Booklist (starred review)
"Absorbing and funny . . . [Oyler] has plenty of interesting things to say about autofiction, spoilers, and life as an expatriate. . . . A challenging and often eye-opening nonfiction debut." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"[Oyler's] takes would be dizzying if she were not so skilled in constructing solid arguments that deepen our understanding of cultural criticism. No Judgment is deeply funny and wise." — BookPage
"Whether she’s writing a personal essay, journalism or criticism, Oyler brings to the task evidence of wide reading, thoughtful engagement and vigorous prose. . . . Her journalistic explorations of gossip and of online reviews, especially those on Goodreads, are both enlightening and provocative. Oyler is a writer who will have readers nodding in agreement on one page and shaking their heads vigorously on the next. Whatever the reaction at a given moment, one can rest assured that her writing is never dull." — Harvey Freedenberg, BookPage
"Oyler’s commentary is incisive, and her prose is lucid and playful. . . . This is as intellectually stimulating as it is fun to read." — Publishers Weekly
"Oyler adeptly employs her research and logic to stay tight to a theme. Most delightfully, her sardonic voice permeates the entire collection." — Shelf Awareness
"With her new collection of essays, No Judgment, Oyler is self-aware in her observations, covering at length, for instance, the dominance of autofiction over the last decade, a genre that Oyler explored with her 2021 debut novel, Fake Accounts. It’s rare that young writers get the chance to go this granular on topics of their choosing; with, No Judgment, Oyler takes this advantage and runs with it, diving into subjects like the utility of gossip, anxiety, life in her now-home city of Berlin, and the rise of the star rating system for books—or, the act of reviewing itself." — W Magazine
"Like stumbling into the best archival New Yorker essays—smart and unafraid and (thank God) funny. This is exactly what I want to read." — Monica Heisey, author of Really Good, Actually
"Brisk, honest and soaring with élan. Oyler persuasively advocates clear thinking through doing it herself with such poise. Her critical approach isn't currently common sense, but it should be, and soon enough maybe it will." — Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting Times and The Happy Couple
About the Author
Lauren Oyler’s essays on books and culture appear regularly in The New Yorker, the New York Times, the London Review of Books, and other publications, and she is a contributing editor of Harper's Magazine. She is the author of the novel Fake Accounts and lives in Berlin.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperOne (March 19, 2024)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0063235358
- ISBN-13 : 978-0063235359
- Item Weight : 14.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #952,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,171 in Essays (Books)
- #10,495 in Women's Biographies
- #28,459 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024No Judgment: Essays – Lauren Oyler – 2024 -
This book is an excellent and intellectually relatable collection and commentary of multi-literary online forums, from the gossip on Gawker to Goodreads, to the examination and compilation of various literary subjects, styles, forms, pop cultural observations/themes, declarations, comments, and personal (autobiographical) essays. Ms. Oyler works largely from the contained (remote) internet environment and is proud of her status as a highbrow Ivy educated elitist and professional critic. Many of her equals are teaching or lecturing on college campuses, other schools, and (co-)facilitating writing classes, seminars, and workshops where tact and diplomacy matter considerably more.
According to Bookmarks Magazine, a three-star review translates to GOOD (Enjoyable, particularly for fans of the genre). Ms. Oyler wrote at length about her novel “Fake Accounts” (2021), and the star rating system-- which is about as clear as mud, and inflated by booksellers to influence and increase the volume of sales. Elizabeth Hardwick was interviewed about the “decline of book reviewing” (1959) and Ms. Oyler observed that many (lower star) reviews are “often poorly written, biased, boring, full of errors and misinformation.” It is true that some books have been (unfairly) targeted and “review bombed” with one-star ratings. It is the least profitable to read and review a book when all the time and effort is factored in, yet Ms. Oyler enjoys promoting good books written by friends.
Berlin, Germany is like an “ill-mannered, impertinent, unintelligent scoundrel” according to Ms. Oyler-- impressed with the lower cost of living (she can work part-time) and Universal healthcare, she has chosen to live there permanently. Berlin, “abandoned and (mostly) destroyed during WWII” has a large gay community and artistic culture. International tourists flock to Berlin’s vibrant night life and (gay) dance clubs. It isn’t required to be fluent in German or learn the language, as most residents in Berlin speak English.
In the chapter, “The Power of Vulnerability” Ms. Oyler discusses the value of self-expression through art which is “a safer strategy, realistic, and even (somewhat) mysterious.” The “Trauma Plot” which is associated with vulnerable populations, is most successful when linked to politics. To recount traumatic memories or situations through a (confessional) narrative is risky subjecting one to the judgment of others. On the plus side, there remains value through self-help, personal growth/development with a possibility of helping or inspiring others.
Skeptical of the healthcare industry that promotes and profits from patient illness, diagnosis, clinical visits and various treatments, Ms. Oyler explained in “My Anxiety” that while she has never been hospitalized for a panic attack, she is regularly tortured by her own “anxious and spiraling thought process.” While writing the essay, she received numerous (laughable) messages promoting self-help and therapy apps that claim to help elevate conditions from stress/anxiety to sleep disorders. Generalized Anxiety Disorder was invented by doctors working on the DSM while inebriated at a dinner(cocktail) party in the mid-!970’s. In the U.S. 40 million people are affected by anxiety disorders according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).
It isn’t necessary to agree with or support all the viewpoints in “No Judgment” and as with Roxane Gay’s “Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business” (2023) - both books in this genre promote the value of increased insight and understanding.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024This is one of the most polarizing books I’ve ever read. I enjoyed a few parts and hated many parts. And honestly I think it’s mostly my fault. 🤦🏼♀️
I loved Oyler’s previous book, Fake Accounts. I couldn’t get enough of the awful, unlikeable protagonist and was obsessed that Oyler could write someone like that. Only it turns out the book was 💫auto-fiction💫, which is the fun genre that is basically memoir with a dash of embellishment. Sweet lil naive baby me didn’t know that about her earlier book until I actually read this group of essays. And wow, does this book read like almost an extension of Fake Accounts.
So where does that leave me? I gave Fake Accounts 5 stars and still kinda do I suppose. 🤷🏼♀️ Do I extend the same grace to Oyler’s essays as I did to what I thought was her fiction? I don’t know.
What does it mean when an unlikeable character actually IS the author? I live for a morally gray protagonist yet here I am questioning it when it’s “real life.”
For a book called No Judgment there seemed to be a whole heap of it in every chapter. Many of the essays came across as super elitist and some made me feel downright icky. The chapter on Goodreads reviews felt a bit 2000 and late, ya know? And she even came for precious Brene Brown! 🫨 You can’t just hate on vulnerability as a concept, but our author manages it.
So after all that let’s just say it’s a three star read and be done with it? 🤣
3.0 out of 5 starsThis is one of the most polarizing books I’ve ever read. I enjoyed a few parts and hated many parts. And honestly I think it’s mostly my fault. 🤦🏼♀️Enjoyed some, hated most
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
I loved Oyler’s previous book, Fake Accounts. I couldn’t get enough of the awful, unlikeable protagonist and was obsessed that Oyler could write someone like that. Only it turns out the book was 💫auto-fiction💫, which is the fun genre that is basically memoir with a dash of embellishment. Sweet lil naive baby me didn’t know that about her earlier book until I actually read this group of essays. And wow, does this book read like almost an extension of Fake Accounts.
So where does that leave me? I gave Fake Accounts 5 stars and still kinda do I suppose. 🤷🏼♀️ Do I extend the same grace to Oyler’s essays as I did to what I thought was her fiction? I don’t know.
What does it mean when an unlikeable character actually IS the author? I live for a morally gray protagonist yet here I am questioning it when it’s “real life.”
For a book called No Judgment there seemed to be a whole heap of it in every chapter. Many of the essays came across as super elitist and some made me feel downright icky. The chapter on Goodreads reviews felt a bit 2000 and late, ya know? And she even came for precious Brene Brown! 🫨 You can’t just hate on vulnerability as a concept, but our author manages it.
So after all that let’s just say it’s a three star read and be done with it? 🤣
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024I like Lauren Oyler’s book reviews. They are tight and generally spot on. I was excited enough about the prospect of this collection of new essays to preorder. I’m sad to say this book is juvenile, petty, incurious, snide, and extremely un-self aware. I cringed a lot. She thinks she is daring and transgressive when she’s just embarrassingly exposing her shallow thinking. She’s too pleased with herself but doesn’t have the intellectual chops to back up her own hubris. Additionally, at a sentence level the writing is bad. Lauren thinks her sentences are “complicated” but they are just badly edited, overly long for no reason, and lack a kind of swift grace. (Lauren… read Louis Menand’s introduction to the Dwight McDonald Midcult and Masscult. Aim for that.) In short, why rehash my complaints when the Ann Manov review in Book Forum nails it in great detail. Lauren - I am begging you to please listen to Ann and also to Sheila Heti. You have work to do. Your critics are not wrong.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024This book was incredible. The style of the essays kept me reading and was a delight and a challenge.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024Ok but not great. Essays written like they're for a magazine or a website, definitely not about issues of "substance" by design. But just not my thing.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024How can you not love a woman, so young, who tells it like it is, as she sees it, neither afraid or caring of what others might think, in this day and age where so much is misunderstood by so many? On one hand that’s a scary proposition, certainly in the wrong hands. But in Oyler’s, one of striking wit and intelligence, it’s a breath of fresh air and pleasure to read, or in my case I listened to the audio version. Topical, at least to everything in my mind these days and previously, it’s just the right kerosene to splash around and bask in the heat. Good luck, unbelievers, in trying to put this fire out!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
1.0 out of 5 stars This should once and for all stop Lauren Oyler from being allowed to review books
Vapid, obnoxious, poorly written. I do not understand why this writer is allowed to review books. The only silver lining of this book of essays is that maybe editors will stop hiring her to write.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024There might be no living young critic less interesting. I bought her book based on her reputation for acerbic assessments, but the essays read like petty insecurity writ large. Embarrassing work, here.
Top reviews from other countries
- angepReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2024
3.0 out of 5 stars You'll either love it or be completely ambivalent
I'm probably in the latter category.
This is a relatively slim volume, at 274 pages, but it has taken me an extraordinarily long time to plough through it's pages.
The author is undoubtedly a talented writer but I struggled to read more than half a dozen pages before getting bored. Alas, each essay is so long that I found myself forgetting what I had already read, which ultimately resulted in them having very little impact.
There were some interesting points made but the majority of the subject matter just didn't especially interest or excite me.
I can genuinely see that certain groups would find this book fascinating and insightful, I'm just not part of that readership.
angepYou'll either love it or be completely ambivalent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2024
This is a relatively slim volume, at 274 pages, but it has taken me an extraordinarily long time to plough through it's pages.
The author is undoubtedly a talented writer but I struggled to read more than half a dozen pages before getting bored. Alas, each essay is so long that I found myself forgetting what I had already read, which ultimately resulted in them having very little impact.
There were some interesting points made but the majority of the subject matter just didn't especially interest or excite me.
I can genuinely see that certain groups would find this book fascinating and insightful, I'm just not part of that readership.
Images in this review
- A YoungsReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Funny and Easy to Read
What surprised me most about this book was that it was easy to read. When you pick up a book labelled as a collection of essays, your heart might sink, thinking of academic study. This is not like that at all. Sure, it expects you to be thoughtful, but in a way that makes it so unlike anything you will have studied at school or university, that you hardly notice you're doing it!
Also, it is funny and light-hearted at times, so this makes it much easier than you might have expected. Worth a read!
- Organised ChaosReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars Opinion divider, not going to be for everyone.
This is a book that mainly caters for the sarcastic souls who enjoy humour, and even better, those with similar sense of humour to the author as they'll be able to relate to it.
The serious academic readers will most likely find it irritating and lacking, it is certainly not for everyone.
- The Other SideReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2024
3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it at times
I enjoyed reading some extracts of this book but whenever I started a new section I found that I stopped unintentionally due to the exaggerated self-centredness of the author. Equally, the side pseudo-jokes are overused for my liking. The presumed explanatory power of the author is annoyingly baseless at times, and the book suddenly turns academic without any proper engagement or support with sources.
Mixed feelings really but still readable.
- Blue Ocean ViewReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and thought-Provoking
No Judgement: On Being Critical is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of the art and necessity of criticism. The author delves into the nuances of being critical without falling into negativity or bias, offering a balanced perspective on the importance of judgment in various aspects of life. The book is well-written, engaging, and challenges readers to reflect on their own approaches to criticism. It is a valuable read for anyone looking to understand the deeper implications of judgment and how to apply it constructively. Overall, it provides a meaningful examination of being critical in a thoughtful and balanced manner.