John Carey, the esteemed chief literary critic for The Sunday Times, leaves behind a legacy that spans nearly half a century. From 1977, Carey crafted reviews with unwavering dedication, producing a piece every fortnight regardless of circumstances. His tenure was marked by an unyielding commitment to the art of literary criticism, and his influence on the field is profound.
Carey was known for his modesty and ascetic lifestyle, shunning the superficial aspects of literary society. He rarely attended literary gatherings and maintained a limited circle of literary friends, focusing instead on the purity of his reviews. His work was characterized by a fierce moral compass, shaped by his lower-middle-class upbringing and Orwellian ideals of egalitarianism. This perspective allowed him to critique the likes of Virginia Woolf, Anthony Powell, and TS Eliot with piercing insight.
Uncompromising Integrity and Impactful Criticism
Carey’s integrity was legendary, never allowing personal relationships to cloud his judgment. A notable incident at a Sunday Times Books Christmas party illustrates this: a fellow critic, incensed by Carey’s review, resorted to pouring wine over him. Such was the intensity of Carey’s commitment to honesty in his assessments.
His intellectual prowess was undeniable. As the Merton professor of English literature at Oxford University for 25 years, Carey authored revelatory works on literary giants such as Dickens, Milton, Thackeray, and John Donne. He had an exceptional ability to make complex ideas accessible, famously critiquing a Shakespeare biography with the quip,
“Surely Shakespeare’s life cannot have been as boring as this.”
A Versatile and Humorous Reviewer
Carey’s versatility was another hallmark of his career. He could write with equal enthusiasm about subjects as diverse as Tintin and Tintoretto. His humor, often overlooked due to his formidable intellect, was sharp and abundant. He once described the Victorian historian Thomas Carlyle as
“so poisonous it’s a wonder his mind didn’t infect his bloodstream.”
Similarly, he critiqued philosopher Roger Scruton’s work as
“ponderous, impenetrable and grindingly repetitive philosophical jargon … puts you in mind of someone trying to unwrap his lunchtime sandwich with the aid of a fork-lift truck.”
Carey’s passion for reviewing was evident in his meticulous approach. Every six months, he would receive a list of forthcoming titles and promptly respond with a carefully annotated selection. His enthusiasm for the task was such that he would nudge editors for new assignments, describing reviewing as a necessary “drug.”
Controversial Yet Respected
Despite his many admirers, Carey had his share of critics. His 1992 book, “The Intellectuals and the Masses,” challenged the elitism of literary modernism, while his 2005 work, “What Good Are the Arts?” stirred cultural debates. Yet, his influence remained unshaken. Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro praised Carey for his relatable insights, noting that his critiques were imbued with personal experience. Dominic Sandbrook, a fellow reviewer, lauded Carey’s courage, clarity, and enthusiasm for literature.
Carey’s impact on literary culture is undeniable. He played a crucial role in bringing attention to emerging talents, such as the young Irish poet Seamus Heaney, whose work Carey championed early on. His editorial influence at The Sunday Times set a standard for clarity and engagement that many editors aspired to emulate.
A Lasting Legacy
John Carey’s legacy as a literary critic is unparalleled. His fierce intellect, principled approach, and passion for books made him a role model for aspiring critics and a beloved figure in literary circles. As The Sunday Times’ books pages continue to reflect his influence, his absence will be deeply felt. Carey was, without question, the greatest literary critic of his age, and his contributions to the field will be cherished for generations to come.
