You can tell by my reviewing style that I’m not a professional or an intellectual, and nor do I pretend to be. These so-called “reviews” are actually just sharing my thoughts. Oftentimes I don’t describe the plot, but rather my reaction. I have no target audience. If it’s helpful to someone, that’s a bonus.
But if I had to choose a target audience, it would be the book-buying public in general. After all, we can’t afford to buy every book in whatever genre ever published. But I like to think that I provide enough information for you to decide whether a certain book is worth your time, and if it is should you fork out dosh for it, or borrow it from the library or a friend.
In otherwise, I don’t write “kiss-ass articles in People magazine”, as I like to quote the head of Lucy Liu from a particular Futurama episode. And I accept that not everyone shares my point of view. In fact, with some particular books, no one shares my point of view. That’s okay. We’re all entitled to our opinions.
But there are times when it sucks to be a reviewer, even more so to be a film reviewer (which I’m not). See, there’s this situation I call “Attack of the Fangirlies”, when people write just to let you know that you’re wrong in every way in this particular review.
I’ve also had people write to me saying they don’t understand why I read books if I don’t enjoy them. Which is a stupid question, because the answer should be obvious: I’m waiting to be wrong. I’m waiting for authors to prove that their books are worthy of my time, attention, respect and admiration. Even with books that totally don’t work for me, I can usually find one good thing about it. If I didn’t like the characters, I liked the world-building, etc.
In a certain Family Guy episode, there’s a flashback to Meg as a kid performing in a school play. Quoth Peter: “I’m very aware I’m watching a play right now.” I do find myself in situations where I’m very aware I’m reading a book. Meaning I’m just not connecting. The characters are annoying/boring, the plotting is too done-before/farfetched, whatever.
“But, Tezzy,” you may say, “this is urban fantasy – you have to suspend your disbelief somewhat.” I do, but I have my limits. For example, I can believe reading shapeshifters if they were caused by a virus or blood-mixing, but I can’t believe if it was caused by magic. But I can believe it was caused by magic if it’s such good writing that hey – I’m no longer aware I’m reading a book.
So why do I bother finishing a book if I don’t give it five stars? Well, at least I gave it a chance. I waited for the whole book to be absolutely wowed, and I wasn’t. Put simply: if I actually finish a book, the lowest score it will get is three stars. Any lower than that, and I wouldn’t have finished it at all. I also don’t do half stars: it’s three, four or five. Most rate a four. Some really good ones that blow me away or really affect me get five. For the three ones, I just couldn’t get into it.
But back to R. J. Anderson’s original question that spawned this post: why shouldn’t authors respond to positive reviews? Only a segment of authors have responded to my reviews. Usually with a “thank you for reviewing”. Is bad publicity good publicity? Even if critics universally pan a film, it’ll probably still get on the box office charts somewhere. Even if you don’t like a book, if you at least mention it you are doing your job by making people aware of the book’s existence. They might be tempted to read to see if they agree or don’t agree with your opinion. Or they’re simply curious. But the most important thing is that they know the book exists if they ever want to chase it up.
And I guess, in the end, that’s what reviewing is about: promotion, but with an opinion.
What about interviews? Mine tend to be focused on the person rather than the books, mostly because I may not have read the books, and thus can’t target my questioning. But what I like most about my interviewing style is that I make it clear that they’re not just authors – they’re people, too. And I feel free to have a sense of humour and ask silly questions, because at least I may be asking questions that not every other interviewer has asked them.
At the end of the day, this is why I have a presence on the Internet: to make people aware of stuff they may not have heard of, but mostly to provide something to smile and laugh about. My favourite personality trait is my sense of humour. I try to use it whenever I can. Not everyone appreciates it at times, but that’s okay. Because at least I tried. And when I tell people “have a lovely day”, I actually mean it. Even if I can’t be happy, I still want you to be happy enough for the both of us.
I appreciate my readers, even if they don’t always appreciate what I have to say.
Have a lovely day! 
1 response so far ↓
Liviania // May 5, 2008 at 5:54 AM |
Lovely post. You stated your position quite well.
As for me, I often read a book I’m not particularly enjoying to the end for several reasons:
1) as you said, it may have potential
2) I’m bored enough that I have nothing better to do, even if I don’t like it
3) I’m reviewing the novel and feel really bad about reviewing something I did not finish
4) It’s a latter book in a series of declining quality and I’m still invested in the characters.
By the way, I tagged you in a meme.