October 30, 2008
Nasty, Nasty, Nasty Reviews
What’s your idea of a scathing review? Well, I guarantee you haven’t seen nothing until you’ve read this one…
Some time ago, a reviewer wrote the following about a bestselling author’s Rita award-winning book:
“[The author’s] latest detective novel … is abusive garbage. If [she] weren’t a woman, she would be accused justifiably of misogyny, and the world would be a better place if she had stuck to her medical practice…[She’s] the only author I have read in 40 years who makes me want to slap her…In the wake of the World Trade Center attacks, there has been some discussion about the entertainment industry reevaluating what is appropriate entertainment … Let’s hope that the New York publishing industry takes part in that discussion. Meanwhile, [the author] lives in Camden. If you see her, tell her you’re not going to read this book, and tell her to donate her royalties to a rape crisis center.”
WOW. I mean, WOW.
Hating a book is fine, but attacking the author crosses the line. Tact sprinkled with a generous amount of discretion goes a long way. This review had neither. I think, out of all the reviews I’ve read, this one is the all-time worst. Whether you’re published or not, what’s the worst review/critique you’ve ever received? NO NAMES PLEASE. Did your reviewer/criticizer stick to the issues (the story)? Or did they cross the line? How did you cope with the negativity?
If you haven’t already guessed, the author who received the aforementioned notorious review has the following initials: TG
Wow on the review.
I don’t know the book, don’t know the circumstances, and I’ll assume there was more to the complete review than this (I recognize the initials, remember there was a stir, but never read about it…).
I dunno…when I read an unfavorable reivew, I’m interested in the WHY of it. Was it the plot, characters, writing style? Was it that the reviewer didn’t care for that genre, some element in the storyline, had their fill of that type of story? If they felt this story was misogynistic, I hope they explained why? If it’s just a “feeling” about the book, did they make that clear?
Very negative reviews HURT. And if they morph into personal attacks, that’s gotta be a big OUCH.
Have I had a negative review? More than one. The issues named were things they found unappealing…which were named in other reviews as things they liked. If there’s anything there you think can honestly improve your writing, take that with you. Otherwise, it’s all subjective.
I’ve sort of come to take it all with a grain of salt.
WOWZERS!
I have read some that were unkind but that one takes the cake. I can’t think of any others off-hand, but I did have a reviewer who said she thought my heroine must be high becasue it was the only excuseable reason for being so dumb.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Except authors, of course. :)
The hardest criticism I ever received was from an editor who shall remain nameless. In the midst of some revision comments on one of my non-romance novels, the editor didn’t like a particularly emotional scene I’d written, and after tearing it to shreds, called me — in writing — a stupid romance writer. At the time I’d never encountered that kind of genre snobbery, so it was pretty hard to handle.
Some years later, I took the page with that comment, framed it, and hung it on the wall in my office. It reminds me that while no writer is a hero to their editor, no editor is completely objective.
That review nearly ended TG’s blog days, and she’s modified her posts now because of the heat from blogger’s over her reaction to the review. The proper reaction to a review like that is to post a thank you, and ask if you can post the review on your blog site.
My first personal rejection letter, where someone did not send a form letter, was on my first novel attempt in the seventies. It was a Conan type character brought forward in time to present day. In those days, you sent out your hopeful manuscript by snail mail. The publishing house representative sent it back with a note I should take a sledge hammer to my typewriter. After all the form rejections, the only thing I could think of was ‘Wow, he read my book’.
Lynn, I am shocked that an editor would be that unprofessional, but I guess it takes all kinds.
I haven’t received a scathing review, but I don’t think you are a real writing until you get one. It really will take every ounce of professionalism not to react (publically). But I have read and seen reviews that make my mouth drop open.
I’ve gotten reviews mostly for sh*t that didn’t work for people. For the most part I just shrug them off.
And that review TG got–BEYOND eh PALE. BEYOND!
Wow, talk about vitriolic.
I’m surprised her keyboard didn’t become a biohazard after she finished typing that. But…. could be something in that book really hit a hot button for her. Not saying there’s any cause to attack the author in that way, but just wondering at the off-the-charts response.
Lynn, and Bernard: Yikes! Those examples were Really Unprofessional.
So far *fingers crossed* I haven’t had to deal with ( personally ) negative reviews, just one mildly indifferent one.
But I have had what I call *revenge crits* (not from any chicas, or past/present crit partners. All my revenge crits happened in crit groups!). Since I know exactly what they are, they just rolled off my back. In fact I l almost anticipated them. lol 
Some folks are so predictable…. 
There is definitely a line and I never understood attacking the author. I do appreciate a good scathing review a la “Mrs. Giggles,” but I take it with a grain of salt. If the review is over emotional, I don’t pay much attention.
I think too often reviewers are writers who resent the success of published authors and go out of their way to be bitches.
Vanessa wrote: … I have had what I call *revenge crits* (not from any chicas, or past/present crit partners. All my revenge crits happened in crit groups!). Since I know exactly what they are, they just rolled off my back.”
Good for you, lady. I’ve seen that happen, especially among mutual admiration only societies masquerading as crit groups. It’s the “I can’t take the heat, so I’ll burn down the kitchen” mentality.
Bernard, you are my new hero.
If it’s just a “feeling” about the book, did they make that clear?
If you’ve followed a certain reviewer, nine times out of ten you can guess whether he/she will like a particular book. For instance, one reviewer may have a thing against virginal heroines in contemporary novels. Doesn’t matter how dynamic the story is, she just doesn’t buy virtue in 2008, so she rips into that aspect of a story. Every. Time.
The thing about the review in my post is that this woman went out of her way to tear the author to shreds, which, to me, demonstrates something akin to borderline personality disorder.
Either that, or one of the violent episodes in the book may have hit too close to home for her. Whatever the case, therapy is a good option.
my heroine must be high
Well, it could’ve been worse. At least she didn’t imply there was a genetic deficiency.
But seriously, did you agree with her criticism, or do you think this was just a personal pet peeve of hers?
the editor didn’t like a particularly emotional scene I’d written, and after tearing it to shreds, called me — in writing — a stupid romance writer.
Aside from the mindless insult, did you agree with any of her suggestions/criticisms, or did you just blow her off? In fact, how the hell did you manage to finish the editing process with a tool like that?
The publishing house representative sent it back with a note I should take a sledge hammer to my typewriter. After all the form rejections, the only thing I could think of was ‘Wow, he read my book’.
Oh, Bernard. Bless your heart! That’s the spirit!!!
I would’ve been tempted to send him a sledgehammer in the mail. But then I’m evil like that.
It really will take every ounce of professionalism not to react (publically).
Yeah, I can see that. Whenever I’m faced with criticism of that sort (be it writing, life or whatever) I usually write a profanity-laced scathing email that typically lacks logic, reason and any semblance of structure, but it gets the vitriol out of my system. I never send the thing. I just save it for a few days and read it until the words no longer make my blood boil.
I’ve gotten reviews mostly for sh*t that didn’t work for people. For the most part I just shrug them off.
That’s because you can. You’re the bomb, sweetie.
But…. could be something in that book really hit a hot button for her. Not saying there’s any cause to attack the author in that way, but just wondering at the off-the-charts response.
I honestly think the woman had anger management issues or a borderline personality disorder. I don’t know how she could actually expect anyone in the industry to take her seriously after that histrionic piece of sewage. Even worse? It was published. Didn’t she have to run it past an editor? Obviously not. But maybe now she does.
There is definitely a line and I never understood attacking the author. I do appreciate a good scathing review a la “Mrs. Giggles,” but I take it with a grain of salt.
I kinda like Mrs. Giggles too. She can be rough at times, but I’ve never seen her go psycho like this chick did.
Tanya wrote: “Aside from the mindless insult, did you agree with any of her suggestions/criticisms, or did you just blow her off? In fact, how the hell did you manage to finish the editing process with a tool like that?”
BTW, in order to protect the editor involved I’m not identifying the editor’s gender, which is why I will only refer to that editor as the editor. :)
I didn’t agree with the editor’s opinion of that particular scene (or of me, for that matter) but I didn’t blow off the demands. I deleted the entire scene and wrote a new one minus the romantic elements. I felt that was the most professional way to handle it from my end. I didn’t discuss any of my feelings about it with the editor, either; as far as I was concerned the editor wasn’t entitled to know what my feelings were from that point on.
It’s tough to work with an abusive editor. It’s tougher to forgive them for the harmful things they do. But if you can let it go, keep working with them and get out of them what you can, you win.