When Yann Martel‘s new novel Beatrice and Virgil was published last month, it was greeted by a number of negative reviews from high-profile outlets.

Big Think spoke with the bestselling novelist about the critical reaction, receiving a frank response from Martel. Watch his reaction in the video embedded above–what do you think? Publishers Weekly notes that Spiegel & Grau is encouraging indie bookstores to “host a discussion group” about Martel’s novel.

Here’s an excerpt: “Just today I got a bad review of my book in the New York Times. The day it comes out, I’m in New York, the Goddamn New York Times gives me a terrible review. It hurts. But there’s no secret to it. I imagine Shakespeare hated getting negative reviews, and you know, there’s always going to be somebody who doesn’t like what you do, always, no matter, you know, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Dante, I’m sure there are people who told them their stuff sucks.”

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