Scribe
Scribe
2012
Reviews/Reviewers
Whether an author or blogger, I think there is an obligation to be genre-specific objective in reviewing anyone's book. If a potential reviewer dislikes or is unknowledgeable of a certain genre, and unable to separate personal enjoyment or interest from literary merit, he or she should pass on reviewing such a work.
Barring that, a reviewer should be respectfully and courteously honest in a review. Unflattering or not, a review should be supported by well thought out reasons and ideas. This way, the author is able to get a sense of the quality and clarity of the writing, which are not always one and the same. If something is too abstract, however well articulated, it won't be all that meaningful. Even poetry has to be relatable.
Hypothetically, let's say I'm a journalist and pacifist. My publisher assigns to me a review of a book on war. It's my job; I have to do it. Still, I think all war is immoral and I'm unable to relate at all to the book’s content and characters. What can I inform anyone about the book? I could say its about war and it doesn't personally make sense to me. Or I could say it is a book that realistically captures the human condition from which we can learn and evolve.
Carl
Thursday, February 16, 2012