There is too much dependence on celebrity for summing things up. I’d rather hear Malcolm’s or ggelliott’s comments than Frazen’s and Messud’s.

Famed writers do not always good reviewers make unless they’re speaking directly to craft.

Malcolm

I believe that, in this case, Franzen and Messud were sincere in their admiration for Munro. But I’ve read other reviews that left me with the suspicion that critics had of pulled their punches because of an author’s high reputation.

Or, that they didn’t actually read them.

P.S. The “vivid quotes and anecdotes” are what bring life to the books reviewed on this site.

But when reviewers make comments like these, it seems to me that what they’re really saying is either a) I’m out of my depth here and not capable of doing justice to this book or b) I’m not out of my depth but I’m not willing to put the time into figuring out how to do justice to it, because it would be too hard.

Either way, I agree with Sarah that comments like these can make you not want to read the book. Or rather, I’d would want to read more if the reviewer gave you, for example, a vivid quote or anecdote.
Jan

Yes, excellent point! And oddly enough, their inability to describe anything at all about why the collection is good not only makes me not want to read the book, it makes me wonder if they read it.