I actually wrote this about a month ago after yet another online brouhaha but never got around to posting it. It doesn’t really matter which one since I may start posting this monthly and I’m willing to bet there will always be a recent “event” in mind every time.
Anyway, it got me to thinking about creating a list of suggestions for dealing with those bothersome reviews many seem to get into such a dither about. Basically, these are what I’d do if I ran across one of them. Take them to heart or not.
If I came across book review/commentary that bothered me because of the language used alone, I’d back away from the site/blog and not go there again because apparently it’s not within my personal comfort zone. There is nothing wrong with admitting that up front. I wouldn’t worry about it and wouldn’t sweat it. I would just go somewhere else and be happy.
If I came across a book review/commentary that bothered me because of the lack of positive points made about the book, I’d accept that maybe the reader/reviewer just didn’t like the book at all. If I’ve read the book, I’d post a polite rebuttal comment listing some things I liked about the book. If I haven’t read the book, I’d let it go because I wouldn’t care. Really.
If I came across book review/commentary that bothered me because of book related comments that make me wince for the author then I’d ask myself why. If it was because the author is a favorite, I might want to leave anyway for everyone’s sake but if I choose to stay I’d try suggesting books by the author that they might like instead. If it’s because I’d wince for any author being treated that way, oh, I’d definitely leave and maybe stay off the web for a while for my own safety and sanity because I’d be way too gone to trust myself at that point. ;p
If I came across book review/commentary that bothered me because of comments that attack, not just speak to, but attack the author’s person and their little dog Toto, too, I would first look around for counterpoint reviews and/or comments, either my own or from others. Then I’d post a link to the attacking review on my blog to let everyone know I’d found one and where. No smoke or innuendo for me. And no delay. I’d want everyone else to make their own judgment when it happens as it happens and give their take on it. This is about sharing information. If someone does want to actually put something out there that personally attacks someone, I believe everyone should know about it. We should know which sites/blogs condon this behavior and see it for ourselves in action. Not secondhand and certainly not as heresay. This is the Internet afterall. It’s not like we can’t go look and judge for ourselves immediately. That’s the power of the blogosphere, too, people.
So, anyone got any other suggestions or situations to add to the list?
bev, hope your dad’s okay.
Oh, and can I suggest that if you read a glowing post about a book which you also like, to alert the fans?
Yeah, I thought about addressing rabid fans specifically but then decided that was covered under the favorite author suggestion. Don’t you think?
Plus I’m a firm believer that the Internet is about sharing information, even between rabid fans. Yeah, it makes life difficult at times for the rest of us but it is part of the nature of the beast.
I definitely agree with this.
How ’bout, if you read a review that you’re unhappy with, don’t dash back to your yahoo group or message board to alert all the other RFGs. It works their poor brains into a froth, but I also find it terribly nasty for a ‘fan’ to alert an author to negative reviews.