Sunday, June 9, 2013

Book Bashers



I am appalled at the number of people in this world who seem to derive pleasure from messing with other people's lives. Rather than using their time and energy to face up to their own problems (obviously, they have "issues") and deciding to do something positive to change their lives, they take out their anger and frustration on everyone else – online and offline. There are those who hack into computers, Facebook accounts, etc., instead of putting their computer skills to good use. There are scammers who make their living by taking advantage of unsuspecting victims, especially the elderly. And, there are book bashers. As my grandmother would say, “Shame on all of them!”

Book bashers can’t be pleased and I firmly believe they don’t want to be. I’m sure if they had reviewed “Gone with the Wind,” when it was first published, they’d have rated it a “1” and had horrible things to say about it. Book bashers go to sites like Amazon and write scathing reviews (usually with numerous spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors) for perfectly good books. I don’t think any intelligent reader would take them seriously. At least, I hope not. But you never know. Obviously, book bashers are miserable people who are determined to spread their misery in any way they can. As long as I live, I will never understand people like that.

Another thing I will never understand is why a person would bother to finish reading a book (assuming they do), much less review it, if they really thought it was that bad. Why waste your time reading and reviewing a book you don’t even like unless you get some kind of sick thrill from denigrating someone else’s hard work? 
“One man’s garbage is another man’s gold” and there’s a world of difference between constructive criticism and book bashing. But book bashers don't care about any of that.

Just my thoughts and opinions. What are yours?
Lesley Diehl suggested that everyone read this article. I did and it's great! Here's the link:
 http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/06/14/how-to-read-a-bad-review-advice-for-authors-and-buyers/

29 comments:

  1. The cousins of these people are those who have to disprove the science of every novel. Is it really that crucial to the enjoyment of a SF novel if the writer records the speed of light at 0.16 feet per second slower than it actually is? That's just an example letter of complaint I received. My fault, I know, but it seems like a matter of principal for some people.

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    1. Roger,
      Look at the bright side. At least, they sent you a personal letter rather than posting it on the Internet.

      Delete
  2. On rare occasions I will bash a book. Exodus from the Alamo was one such, a shameful misrepresentation of the facts. In general I give a book 50 pages. If it doesn't make me want to read page 51, I put it down. If it's outstnding I might review on Amazon or recommend it on a blog.

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    1. Dac,
      I try to give every book a chance too but, if I absolutely can't get into it, I stop reading it and move on to one of the many other books on my TBR list.

      Delete
  3. I don't always give 5 stars, but never under 4. If I don't like a book, I don't review it at all. We have different tastes, what one person likes another may hate.

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    1. My point exactly, Marilyn! Just because I don't like a book, for whatever reason, doesn't mean that someone else won't love it.

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  4. As one of those wise Greeks put it, "Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship."

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  5. Pat, I think book bashers are like vandals, doing random violence to ease some inner anger that has nothing to do with the object of their attacks. The only protection a writer can have is the skin of a rhinoceros.

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    1. You're right about that, John. Writers need to have thick skins. As a writer friend of mine is fond of saying, "Writing isn't for sissies."

      Delete
  6. Sadly, too many people derive personal pleasure out of insulting rather than useful critiquing. Any work of art, and I consider writing as one of the arts, deserves a respectful look and a respectful review, even if it is not a favorable one.

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    1. Absolutely, Rosemary! How anyone can bash a book, knowing that their comments might influence a potential reader - who could end up loving the book - is beyond my scope of understanding.

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  7. I don't mind so much if the person actually reviews the book, but it's really annoying to see a 1-star snarky "review" of a book because (take your pick) it arrived late from the vendor, they don't like something about the author, or it was a mystery when what they really wanted was sci fi....

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    1. Sheila,
      I agree. That is annoying. However, the ones I detest the most are where the "reviewer" makes statements about the book that aren't true. Those people are either "not the brightest bulbs in the chandelier" and/or they're just plain vicious.

      Delete
  8. I've read bad reviews where I honestly don't believe the reviewer even read the book. I don't get the pleasure they derive from this. If I honestly don't like a book I won't finish it and I won't review it. And just because I don't like a book doesn't mean the next person won't like it either. The next guy may think it's the best thing they've ever read.

    Maybe some of these bashers feel this is their claim to fame, although most don't use a real name for the review. It's a "consider the source" situation.

    Yes, we as authors, need to grow a thick skin and move on to the good reviews.

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    1. Marja,
      I think most writers eventually learn how to deal with negative reviews and we learn to separate the "real" reviews from the "bogus" reviews. We can only hope that potential readers of our books will do the same.
      Also, you made a good point about the names these people use to post reviews. If a person can't even use their real name, that should tell all of us something. :)

      Delete
  9. I simply don't review a book I don't like. But I think the book bashers are another breed altogether. I think they're out to cause pain. We authors are sensitive to negative reviews and they know it. There's no fighting back. All w can do is ignore these reviews and focus on the positive ones.

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    1. Marilyn,
      "Another breed altogether." I like that! And, you're right, we can't reply to their nasty comments. Well, technically, we can but who wants to sink to their level? They really need to "Get a life!"

      Delete
  10. I read tons of books, some of which I think are bad. I also write lots of reviews. But I'm not going to write a review for a book I'd give less than 4 or 5 stars. First, it's not worth my time. Second, I'd feel mean. And third, although I think I'm a pretty good judge, my opinion is simply that. Someone else might like the book more than I did.

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    1. Way to be, William! As I wrote, "One man's garbage is another man's gold."

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  11. I also don't review books I don't like. Like many of you, I think how I view a book is my opinion. Others may love it. Why should I insert a mean reivew into a number of good ones just to have my say?

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    1. Lesley,
      That's because you're a compassionate, considerate person. Book bashers aren't!

      Delete
  12. I just now ran across this which might be helpful to everyone, reader and writer alike:

    How To Read A Bad Review: Advice For Authors And Buyers
    http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/06/14/how-to-read-a-bad-review-advice-for-authors-and-buyers/

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    1. Thanks for the link, Lesley. I'm going there right now. :)

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    2. Lesley,
      I loved the article. Thanks again! I added it to the bottom of my post.

      Delete
  13. Book bashers are just plain mean people hiding behind keyboards and have no business ripping people just for the shrill thrill of it. Their reviews or comments are rife with errors and seething comments that don't even pertain to the book they supposedly just read (after hating it apparently)... I'm with you Patricia, no room in our industry for this stuff...

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    1. That's exactly how I feel, Chris. I hope every reader who sees this post will check out the article Lesley Diehl suggested. Readers need to beware of these, as you so aptly put it, "just plain mean people."

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  14. Great post, Pat, and I agree with the comments. There have always been unhappy, envious people in the world and we should feel sorry for them, no matter how much pain they cause others. We creative people are fortunate to have the skills to entertain and inform, and maybe even help some reader solve a problem. The good reviews and appreciative notes from readers help to heal the wounds inflicted by nasty "reviewers."

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  15. Jean,
    You're absolutely right! Book bashers are to be pitied because they're obviously pitiful people.

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