Do you ever feel guilty for bad reviews?

[Amy Jacobs]

I received a copy of a book that I could barely make myself read to chapter 3. I posted an honest review of the book on my blog, and I was wondering if you ever feel guilty about writing a bad review for a book that was free? I got it from a company that was willing to help me with some reviews for my newer than most book blogs. I thought cool! I am going to finally get a foot in the door! But I hated the book, posted my review and now worry if I just blew it with a company willing to help.
My personal opinion is that a bad review is still a review that gives people an honest opinion. I am not telling people not to buy the book. I just basically give a heads up.http://myoverstuffedbookshelf.blogspot.com/

[Nishita Kumar]

I generally finish a book before publishing a review, and most times I am pretty generous with my reviews. When I o give a crappy review, I feel immensely guilty afterward, my most scathing review was for this one http://nishitak.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/book-review-the-dangerous-...

I really hated it, and although I did eventually give it 2 stars, my review was a bit too blunt, and a bit too harsh, I feel. I did loathe the book though, I mean absolutely loathe...

[Ruthie @ Ruthie's Book Reviews]

I can't say I felt guilty about...not everything is going to appeal to everyone! I'm just honest that's all. But I laways say not to take my word for it, go check it out yourselves! LOL

[April]

Maybe you should use the sandwich method, write a compliment, write your criticism, then write a compliment, if you are worried about writing a negative review.

[Joe Perrone Jr.]

I think that is an excellent approach. Generally, there is always something positive that you can say about a book. If a book is so bad that I can't get through it, I personally prefer not to post a review. There are nice ways to say something negative, and there are "not-so-nice" ways of doing the same thing; I prefer the former.

[Deb Hockenberry]

I agree, Joe. There is usually something redeemable in a book!
Deb :-)

[Nicole R]

While you may consider it a negative review, reading it makes me want to go read the book! So I don't think the publicist should be offended at all.

[Oh]

I think it's good to be honest in a book review. Because it "shows." I am, in fact, feeling guilty about a "good" review I gave recently because I knew the author and knew she'd be reading it. And I didn't want to let her down, or some such nonsense. Thiing is, you don't always totally dislike or like a book so it's ok to give a "balanced" review. As for your review, you wrote what was true. for you. At that time and moment. And that is your job as a writer and reviewer, to tell the truth as you understand it. Worry not. The company will not drop you for that!

[Julie Jones]

I just did my first didn't like review and I emailed the publisher who gave me book...they wanted honest answers, so I gave them but because the book wasn't too well known , I didn't want to put it on my blog.

[Leontine]

Hi,
I had the same experience just two weeks ago. I received Highland Rebel by Judith James from Sourcebook to review. I only heard raving reviews about Broken Wing so I was enthusiastic to start in Highland Rebel and I just couldn't connect with either Jamie or Cat and with a 450 page book I struggled to finish.

I think if you're honest, constructive and can explain what didn't work four you that the review is still a usefull one for the person who send you the book. We all like to write a rave review but some books just don't work, stick to your opinion and people, both publicist and visitors will come back!

If anyone is interested in my not so glamorous review of Highland Revel, you can find it HERE

[Bobbie Crawford-McCoy]

When I first started reviewing at Book Reviews By Bobbie, I did feel badly about writing a negative review. I also found it hard to finish a book that I really didn't like...I still find it difficult to finish a book that I didn't enjoy, but I try my best to persevere. Now that I've been blogging for about 11 months or so (not a veteran blogger by any stretch) I usually send an email to the author if its a book that I simply can't stand and did not finish because I (personally) don't feel right about reviewing a book that I haven't read from cover to cover.

After about 2 months into book blogging/reviewing on my blog, I became much more comfortable with writing negative reviews and felt freed by the ability to write negative (not rude, mean or false) reviews. It's natural to feel a little guilty for writing a bad review if you concern yourself too much with the author's feelings, but try to remain objective and view the book as a separate entity from the author; from there, you should be able to write more objectively about the books you read.

Most importantly, be honest about how the book made you feel; if you loved it say so, if you didn't like it---say that too but do your best to back up what you say either way, so your blog/review readers understand what you are objecting too.
Negatives for you could be positives for someone else. ;)

[Marian]

"It's natural to feel a little guilty for writing a bad review if you concern yourself too much with the author's feelings, but try to remain objective and view the book as a separate entity from the author; from there, you should be able to write more objectively about the books you read."

Excellent point.

You're not saying the author is a bad person, or an incompetent person. You're saying that the author's product - which is offered for sale to customers - did not meet your expectations, and here's why.

[Deb Hockenberry]

Hi,
I've had a few books like that! I try to find at least something redeemable in these books but as you know to, sometimes this isn't possible. I advertise honest reviews. Because of this I figured out a way to let the author know just what his/her book was like. I email him/her & tell them that I couldn't find anything redeemable in the work. I hate to do this because this is the author's blood, sweat & tears. In the email, I remind the author that I give honest reviews & give him/her the choice of wanting me to do a bad review. I usually (gently) suggest a critique group or a writing group. By doing it this way, I've only had to do 1 bad review. If you find a better way to do this, please let me know!
Deb :-)