I glanced over at this publicity photo of Peter Rock that came with his book The Ambidextrist as I reviewed it today for The Chronicle. Every once in a while I get jolted from my critical self and think "Jeez man, someone spent years of their life writing this thing and you're passing judgement in a few hours. Then I remember that I'm not hired to be a nice guy.

I've never liked the expression that critics are frustrated artists. Legendary film critic Pauline Kael may have said it best when she insisted that she never wanted be more than a really great critic. When I'm not obsessing over getting a phrase right or turning the piece in on time,  I believe that critics are there to present informed opinions, to add a dimension of discourse between artist and audience. Fairness and clarity is key. For me, I assume the author's motives are geniune, that they intended what they wrote and I am to say, without reserve, whether I think they succeeded or not.

Every now and then, I feel like I succeed.