kɹˈɪɾɪks nˈoʊɾᵻd ðætðə baɪˈɑːɡɹəfi ɪz ɹˈɪʔn̩ wɪððə "lˈɪŋɡɚɹɪŋ ɑːbzɚvˈeɪʃənz ænd lˈɪɹɪkəl tˈʌtʃ əvən ɪstˈæblɪʃt pˈoʊɪt, jˈɛt wɪð ɐn ˈiːzɪɡˌoʊɪŋ, kɑːnvɚsˈeɪʃənəl tˈoʊn ˈɔfən lˈækɪŋ ɪn dɪdˈæktɪk ˈɑːɹt baɪˈɑːɡɹəfiz."
Critics noted that the biography is written with the "lingering observations and lyrical touch of an established poet, yet with an easygoing, conversational tone often lacking in didactic art biographies."