James Wood on his role as a book critic

James Wood is a literary critic, essayist and novelist. He was The Guardian's chief literary critic between 1992 and 1995, and a senior editor at The New Republic between 1995 and 2007. Since roughly that time he's taught the Practice of Literary Criticism at Harvard University and has been a staff writer and book critic at The New Yorker magazine. In 2009, he won the National Magazine Award for reviews and criticism. Books include How Fiction Works, the novel Upstate, and essay collections The Irresponsible Self, The Broken Estate and most recently Serious Noticing. We talk about James's role as a book critic - how and why he does it - about realism, the canon, 'lifeness', sameness, his intro to Serious Noticing, our shared love of the Russians, looking for great writing everywhere, Virginia Woolf, Joyce, Zadie Smith, what writers do when they walk into a room...plus, I quote Clifton Fadiman and Henry James at far too great a length.

[@velmuralgs]

James Wood deserves more exposure. He's a true literature lover and an honest critic.

[@lyon3511]

It seemed like they were just warming up and then they were done. The more I listened, the more I wanted ro hear more.

[@jackieeffinbrownable]

I wish this were 100 hours longer

[@paulbali9998]

i can listen to JW talk all day about lit. . .

[@Learned_English_Dog]

Anyone know what V.S. Pritchett book Mr Wood is referencing?

[@profd65]

Wow, six minutes in and the interviewer is still blabbing. I'm clicking off.

[@iangatere6459]

Don't. He eases off as the interview goes on. Plus, he also has points of value to add. Even if he can dominate.