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What is a book review

A book review is a type of literary criticism in which the merit, style, and substance of a book are evaluated. A book review can be an academic evaluation, an opinion article, a summary review, or a primary source. The length of a book review might range from one paragraph to a lengthy essay. As is clear from the definition, writing a book review entails more than simply forming an opinion based on the book’s title. A successful review requests an examination of the book’s style and content.

what are the characteristics of a good review of literature

The review should introduce the reader to the book’s content and focus on the subject of the book being reviewed:

Include a description of how the book fits with the field’s current thinking (e.g., a novel approach, an introduction, a magisterial review, the finest book on the subject ever written, etc.).
Give the reader a general understanding of the author’s topic and how he or she develops it rather than duplicating the table of contents.
Give a general notion of the main topic and substance if the book is an edited collection of essays or chapters written by several authors, but feel free to concentrate on any particular chapters that stand out to you as particularly noteworthy or worthwhile.

Explain to the reader what is going on in the field of academic study the book focuses on, the current status of the field’s knowledge, and how this new book adds to, modifies or advances our understanding of it.

The review should be fair to the author:

Let readers know why it took the author several months to produce the book, who the target market is, and how the author treats the topic.

convey the book’s content, not so much chapter by chapter as the complete book.
Give the review some flavour by sharing incisive or enlightening passages from the book or noteworthy details or results.
Be precise. Give specifics. Avoid becoming too ethereal or hazy (e.g., avoid writing “interesting observations,” “lots of arresting data,” or “a strange view of campus design” unless you complement this with specific examples).

You should submerge your own opinions or reaction.

Instead of discussing the reviewer’s thoughts after reading the book, focus on the book’s contribution to the topic.
Don’t suggest a book that you think the author should have written.

Although the reviewer’s assessment is significant, it should only be a minor consideration.

You should establish your authority to write the review.

Instead of pointing out the author’s errors, demonstrate your knowledge of the subject in a thorough and instructional manner.

Make an effort to make your review smart and fully informed.
The best evaluations are insightful little essays in and of themselves that are reasonably complimentary (but not uncritical) and incredibly understanding.
A close reading of the text itself is the only option. The core of a good review consists of conclusions regarding a book’s utility and scholarly worth drawn from a thorough reading of the text.