The Thread® - Books and Literary News

Who gets to be a critic? And why are some so ‘bad’?

Should we rethink what criticism should look like?
Should we rethink what criticism should look like?
Amr Bo Shanab/Getty Images

Andrea Long Chu was once one of Brittany’s favorite “Sex and the City” bloggers, and she's now a Pulitzer-winning critic. Andrea lends her critical eye to everything from the TV show “Yellowstone” to the work of Sally Rooney to pro-Palestinian protests and free speech. And she does it with wit, style, and fearlessness.

Brittany chats with Andrea about her new book, “Authority” — a collection of some of Andrea’s best work, along with two new essays. They discuss why art is a “fossil record” of desire, what kind of authority critics have, and why we might need to rethink what criticism should do for us.

Copyright 2025, NPR

Dear reader,

Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.

Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?

It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
MPR News logo
On Air
BBC World Service