An Experiment in Criticism

Book Review

C.S. Lewis's «An Experiment in Criticism» is a profound exploration of the nature of reading and literary criticism. Lewis offers an original approach to evaluating literature, arguing that books should be judged not by their content or style, but by how they affect the reader. He identifies two types of readers: «users» and «receivers». The former read books to confirm their views and beliefs, while the latter read to expand their experience and understanding of the world. Lewis emphasizes the importance of openness and readiness to embrace the new, making reading a true experiment. Critics note that Lewis offers a fresh perspective on literary criticism, allowing for a rethinking of traditional approaches and focusing on the subjective experience of the reader. His ideas that the true value of a book lies in its ability to change the reader resonate with many contemporary literary scholars. «An Experiment in Criticism» is considered an important contribution to literary theory, continuing to inspire and provoke discussions among literary critics.