So, I think I have mentioned before — maybe multiple times — just how difficult it can be to receive a shiny new review book, full of promise and hope, and then quickly — or eventually — realize that something has gone wrong, sometimes very wrong…
Now, all readers have had this experience, many times, for many different reasons. Maybe the characters are too unsympathetic or the plot too improbable… perhaps the editor needed to be a bit more ruthless… or maybe the issue is hard to define, yet you find yourself choosing to iron or weed rather than pick up whatever you’ve begun…
Well, this experience is even more brutal when you know you will have find a way to write a balanced and fair — yet authentic — review. I think this is one reason why so many reviews seem to be filled with plot summary and little else. Who wants to publically declare that years of work and emotional investment just didn’t quite cut it?
Personally, I do try to follow Updike’s excellent advice when reviewing, so I attempt to evaluate a work according to the author’s intentions (rather than measuring it against the great works of all time). I try to find something that is done well (17 years experience teaching and grading “emerging” writers, thank you very much).
Lastly, I actually look at a picture of the writer before I do my last read through/edit. This habit came to me fortuitously — I was just about to publish a review of a work that I really struggled with, when I accidentally saw a photo of the smiling author. My heart seized and I found myself trying to read my review as if I was the hopeful face I saw before me. Unfortunately, I think I tend to have a thicker skin than many, so I try to be even more empathetic than might come naturally… And I still get emails and comments from disgruntled writers — sigh…
Honestly, but not surprisingly, reviewing memoirs is the absolute worst. I try very hard to not evaluate the content, but the structure and language instead. (Failed miserably with Hampl’s review, I’m afraid). Seriously, we all know when a memoir works — and when it doesn’t. But imagine judging how an individual has experienced his or her life!? Whew… Never easy. On the other hand, if I simply write “Great Job” in red pencil regardless of my true opinion, then there is no longer any point for me to write reviews — except to get free books, which would feel cheap and dishonest, to say the least.
So, why I am rambling about the challenges of reviewing today? Because I recently found a wonderful website dedicated to terrible reviews: The Worst Review Ever.
This website publishes a brutal review and then — get this! — interviews the author about the review!! The questions include the following:
- How did you happen upon the review?
- How did you feel immediately after seeing the review?
- Did you do anything in response to the review?
- If you did anything in response, how do you feel about said reaction in retrospect?
- How long did it take you to get over the pain and humiliation of the review?
Then, the moderator rates the level of pain the author felt:
1 star = That wasn’t so bad
2 stars = Yeah, that would hurt
3 stars = Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
4 stars = Beyond harsh, cruel, and unusual punishment
5 stars = Definitely the WORST. REVIEW. EVER.
What a great idea! If you have a few minutes, check out The Worst Review Ever and let me know what you think…
Also, how do you respond to reviews that heavy on plot summary and light on review?
photo credit: Marcus Vegas
I find those kinds of reviews fairly worthless. I want to know whether a book is worth my time. I do struggle with “negative” reviews, though. In fact, I wrote one yesterday. I had to! The book was dreadful! But I must admit I had a pang of guilt doing so.
I’ll admit I skim most reviews. I don’t need to know the entire plot of a book (in fact, 1-2 sentences is my preference), I need to know if the reviewer thinks the book/film/whatever will be worth my time and money. But I prefer to be given examples and left to make up my own mind.
In fact, even better than Updike’s example, for me, is Anton Ego’s great speech at the end of the animated film, RATATOUILLE. I think director/screenwriter Brad Bird said it best:
“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends…In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau’s famous motto: ‘Anyone can cook.’ But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.”
As I wrote in a recent post about being a critic/reviewer, here’s how I summed it up (keep in mind that I write about music):
“I keep a copy of Ego’s speech taped above my desk to remind me of exactly where I stand in “the grand scheme of things.” I feel my job as a writer, and certainly as a reviewer, is to give my readers just a taste of what a composer has to offer, not all seven courses, and encourage them to sample the meal themselves. This is why I write. This is why I return to film music over and over again, “hungry for more,” to experience the old and the new and share them with you.”
I wish I always succeeded. But I at least try.
I really enjoyed reading your post. Although I’ve not ever reviewed an ARC (don’t get many in Australia), however, I find it difficult at times to review a book I haven’t enjoyed. I’m a big softie and never want to hurt anyone’s feeling when I know who much effort, not to mention blood, sweat and tears goes into writing a book. I usually put it down to, ‘just not my taste’ but that doesn’t mean it won’t be someone else’s.
The one thing I’d like to say, is I prefer to know I’m reading an ARC review. Is there some reason reviewers don’t mention that? Also, why are publishers sending out and reviewers accepting books in genres they don’t particularly like?
I don’t like reviews that are heavy on plot summary, I don’t read them. I just want to know what you thought of the book and why I should read it or why I’d like it. I also don’t read long reviews, I just skim them.
Thanks again, great post. One that will hopefully get people talking!
I avoid writing bad reviews, though I do enjoy reading them now and then. Dorothy Parker wrote some wonderful bad reviews that you can read in The Protable Dorothy Parker.
I try to limit mine to five paragraphs, only two about the plot, as much as possible.
Now, I’m off to check out the bad review website. Sounds like fun.
I once read an ARC book that I was supposed to do a guest review for. I hated(!) that book and must admit to having made that very clear in my review. I was so blunt that the blogger didn’t want to add it until she had a chance to read the book. But she didn’t want to read the book once she knew how I felt about it. Then I put it out on Goodreads figuring I’d get it off my chest but no harm done. Then I got an email response from the very nice author. Lesson learned!
I can certainly empathize, Sarah!! So difficult to write a negative review! (But, good for you
)
Thank you so much, Jim!! I can tell you that I will be printing out the speech you shared, too… I should read it before each negative review I consider publishing… Food for thought!
Thank you, Alaine! I would love to hear why you would like to know if the review is an ARC… could the reviewer feel obligated to write a more positive review due to receiving a free book? Possibly…
I am trying to decline books that I can tell I will not enjoy — partly because writing negative reviews is so hard, and partly because there are just too many great books and simply not enough time to read them all… On the other hand, The Secret Keeper was not my usual genre of choice, but I simply loved it!
Great insights!
Ooooh! I didn’t even include how secretly fun a bad review can be to read…! Now I’m off to find The Protable Dorothy Parker! Thanks, CB!
Thank goodness the author was very nice! I do worry when I see an email from an author of a book I didn’t really enjoy… Although it’s always a great reminder of the person behind the book, isn’t it!?