Hoffman Outburst Proves Author-Critic Feuds Alive & Well

“Authors generally try to stay classy in the face of negative feedback, bravely showing up for their readings and working the publicity circuit despite whatever Michiko and company proclaim. When they do respond to a critic, it’s more likely to present a clarification or correction of something the writer has apparently gotten wrong. … Sometimes, however, the quarrel is less about being right and more about lashing out.”