That's true to a certain extent - I believe the critics analysis were more "unnecessary" than "damaging". We don't find enough context to settle on a -ve word especially in the first sentence. And even later on, the author criticizes their comments as not needed, because of the popularity of her work.
Thus, for blank (i)

For blank (ii) - from sentence 3 onward, the author starts detailing the author's reservations with the critics in that the their comments are in fact lacking historical context/perspective (ahistorical), sometimes not needed.

Thus "distracting" is the right choice. (I had selected "vociferous" - because of the keyword "thus" indicating certain aspects were coming out loud from the author's works - but what I missed is the context especially brought in focus by the last sentence)

For blank (iii) - I couldnt guess the exact word, but I had guessed the nature that should be something -ve (not too -ve) and should be along the lines of unnecessary, not adding value etc.

Thus among the options - "clumsy" was the better choice, as "polished" and "palpable" are +ve words and would actually go to say the critics works are adding value and understandable