Janet Maslin

Janet Maslin is an American journalist and critic best known for her influential tenure as a film critic and book reviewer for The New York Times. Her career at the newspaper spanned nearly four decades, during which she became one of the most prominent and widely read cultural critics in the United States. Maslin's sharp, accessible prose and discerning critical eye helped shape public discourse on both cinema and contemporary literature, establishing her as a significant voice in American arts journalism.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, Maslin developed an early passion for both writing and film. She pursued her higher education at the University of Rochester, where she graduated with a degree in mathematics, an academic background that later informed her analytical approach to criticism. During her college years, she was actively involved with the campus newspaper, the *Campus Times*, honing her journalistic skills. Her entry into professional writing began in the early 1970s at the *Boston Phoenix*, an alternative weekly where she covered music, writing profiles of artists like Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel before transitioning to film criticism.

Career at The New York Times

Maslin joined the staff of The New York Times in 1977, initially serving as a reporter on the metropolitan desk. She soon moved to the culture desk, and in 1981, she was appointed the newspaper's second-string film critic under head critic Vincent Canby. She succeeded Canby as the chief film critic in 1993, a prestigious position she held until 1999, reviewing hundreds of films during a transformative era for Hollywood that included the rise of independent cinema and major studio blockbusters. In 2000, she made a notable transition within the *Times*, moving to the Book Review desk as a daily book critic, where she evaluated works by authors ranging from John le Carré to Zadie Smith until her retirement from full-time work in 2015.

Writing style and critical approach

Maslin's criticism was characterized by its clarity, wit, and direct engagement with both the artistic merits and popular appeal of a work. She avoided academic jargon, writing in a conversational yet incisive style that appealed to a broad readership while maintaining high intellectual standards. In film criticism, she was known for her keen assessments of narrative structure and performance, often highlighting the work of directors like Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino. As a book reviewer, she applied a similar lens, focusing on storytelling prowess and character development, and she was particularly adept at reviewing within the mystery and thriller genres. Her reviews frequently appeared in the *Times*' influential Sunday Book Review section.

Other works and projects

Beyond her prolific output for The New York Times, Maslin has contributed essays and criticism to other publications. She served on the jury for the National Book Critics Circle Award and has been a participant in literary festivals and panel discussions. Following her retirement from daily reviewing, she has remained active in the literary community, occasionally writing for the *Times* and providing blurbs for notable books. Her career and insights have been cited in studies of film criticism and contemporary journalism, and she has been a guest speaker at institutions like the 92nd Street Y.

Personal life

Maslin has been married to author Benjamin Cheever, son of novelist John Cheever, since 1979; the couple resides in Westchester County, New York. Her personal interests have often intersected with her professional life, with a well-documented passion for mystery novels and cinema. She maintains a relatively private life outside of her public writing career, though she has occasionally referenced her family and home life in the context of reviewing domestic narratives in literature and film.