
As each of us dig into the stacks of print here, I have a question for you: What makes a book review especially helpful for you? What do you look for in a well-written review?
As each of us dig into the stacks of print here, I have a question for you: What makes a book review especially helpful for you? What do you look for in a well-written review?
I like a review to give a) a taste, but just a taste, of the subject matter of the book. Just 3-4 sentences. b) reasons why or why not the reviewer thinks this book is worth reading c) if the reviewer has some constructive criticism ("needed better editing", "too many adjectives", "poor ending") I like to hear them. If I disagree I'll post my own review! d) opinions like "too New Agey for me" or "heretical" are great too, but not laid down like they're Holy Writ. Tell me that it's your opinion and be open to the possibility that you're wrong.
A great review is witty but not cruel, incisive and yet encouraging. Reviews of an author's first book should adhere to the tradition of being kind; if it's a successful author you can be a little more astringent. I think the point of reviews is, as you say, to point people in the direction of new reading material and to encourage good writing. It is NOT to destroy an author, disparage a genre you don't like, or use the platform to sound off about your personal cause. Not that I think you'd do any of those things, Michelle!
And to end with my pet peeve… using a review site to publicize your own book, although "Reviewed by Jenny Jones, author of 100 Best Book Reviews" is acceptable at the end of the review.
"Tell me that it's your opinion and be open to the possibility that you're wrong." Yes!
All great points, Jane. Thanks for adding them to the list.
Years ago, I wrote a negative review about a piece of curriculum. The author contacted the magazine and basically told the publisher I'd demolished her life's work with my words.
I honestly wasn't trying to be mean. I was trying to give a realistic assessment to the magazine's readers, who depended on frank reviews to help guide their own educational purchases. I had an opportunity to massage the language I'd used in the review before the mag went to print. I toned it down, but tried to keep the essence of the review intact.
Though I question the curriculum writer's seemingly-manipulative motives, the event was an education for me about the responsibility a reviewer has to her readers – as well as to the person who has created the product she's reviewing.
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