How do you write honest reviews that don't offend?

[Christy Dorrity]

My book review blog (www.dearestdreams.com) is very new and I am already running into issues that I know some of you seasoned bloggers can help me out with.

 

I recently reviewed a book that I had mixed emotions about.  I did my best to explain what I liked about the book and what didn't work for me.  My question is, where do you draw the line between your preferrences and values in what you like to read, and explaining to others what they may or may not like in a book? 

 

When does honesty become offense?

 

 

[Linda Weaver Clarke]

Reviews are very important for an author’s success. There is a book called "The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing." I would get that book and read it. It might have some great ideas in reviewing books without being offensive. Good luck.

[Linda Weaver Clarke]

I have to agree with RYCJ. She hit the nail on the head! She's right in every aspect. I loved it when she said, "A review that merges both opinions making the review neither good nor bad, but rather an accurate reflection of the work." I cheered. It should be an "etiquette thing." Why do reviewers have to be negative? I have read a few reviews written about books I’ve read and was very surprised by the insulting way one reviewer wrote her reviews. I know that it’s only one opinion because I loved the book. But my question is this… Can’t reviewers write about a book’s good points and then comment what didn’t work for them? You know, "work for them" as a reader. That doesn't necessarily mean that the book is bad. It just didn't work for them. Good for you, RYCJ. I liked what you said.

[Nicola O.]

I disagree that writing negative reviews equates to immature writing. I've seen extremely positive reviews that struck me as very immature -- over-the-top squeeing, poor language usage, no substance other than "OMG THIS WAS SO GR8 U SHOULD REED IT RIGHT NOW!!!!" sort of "content."

I also don't understand what you mean by this: to hold yourself up as a reviewer--when it's only your opinion--is really over the top. What else is a review besides opinion?

It's great that there are sites that only post positive reviews for people who love to read rave reviews. But not everyone chooses that -- there is value in hearing about books that a reviewer disliked and why.

I am a blogger, and a reviewer, and a reader, and I have no affiliation with any nice important paper or any other professional capacity. What I post is indeed "only my opinion" -- I don't see anything "over the top" about that at all.

Of course, you are entitled to your opinion, too. :-)

[Nicola O.]

Can’t reviewers write about a book’s good points and then comment what didn’t work for them? You know, "work for them" as a reader. That doesn't necessarily mean that the book is bad.

What if the book actually IS bad though? Like Niranjana Iyer, I also try to make it a rule not to post anything I wouldn't be comfortable saying to an author's face. Or my mom's face, for that matter (heh). So yeah, blatant rudeness is one thing.

Some books really are terrible though! I often opt not to review those at all, but I confess to feeling slightly dishonest about that.

[Ellen Weisberg]

Perhaps if a book you're reading is really objectively terrible, and not just subjectively terrible (because it's not your particular cup of tea... like say a character-driven book when you prefer plot-driven books), there might be other objective and critical reviews published online that you can to refer to in order to support the validity of your review. This will allow you to get your honest opinion out there to help readers, and will also add credence to your review as others will have reacted the same way to the book. Just a thought... I know it's extra work, but it might help with the dilemma of "to review" or "not to review." Good luck!

[Niranjana Iyer]

I'm a professional book reviewer, and I've always believed a reviewer's first duty is towards the reader--one must write the truth about a book, however uncomfortable that truth might make you (or the author) feel. That said, my rule for reviewing, whether it's for my blog or a print journal, is to never write anything I would not be comfortable saying directly to the author's face. I read my words out aloud before hitting send--that process invariably makes me choose my words more carefully. (I gush less, and whine better. Or so I like to think.)

[Chelle]

Stick with honesty! If you think you can be objective think again. No one can be and readers will not appreciate anyone constatnly giving a good rating/review just because they don't want to turn someone off from reading a book. As a blog reader, I want the blogger's opinion - that is why I read a review after all, not for a plot summary, but for their opinion. I want to know what they liked and didn't like. This helps me know if my tastes are similar to the blogger's and I can then adjust my notion of the book's alure for me. Call it like you see it!

[Tiffany Harkleroad]

I typically try to be kind, and honest at the same time. If a book does not appeal to me, I say so, but I also try to pinpoint what audience it might appeal to.

[Caren White]

I review non-fiction books and never hesitate to "tell it like it is". Sometimes I love a book except for one chapter and I say so. Or I feel that the author left out a crucial piece of information so I say so. The only time I gave a scathing review was for a book that was so poorly written that I couldn't even finish it. And I said so, citing specific examples. The author replied to me on Amazon.com (where I also post my reviews) disputing my review with outright lies. I referred her to reviews on LibraryThing (where I also post my reviews) that said more or less the same things I did. In general, though, I try to be respectful of authors. I am a budding author myself (currently shopping a book proposal), so I understand how much work they have put into their books.

[Lale G]

It's a tough one, but I personally think that as long as you're not flaming (being needlessly rude) and explaining yourself clearly, there's no harm in being honest.

For example, instead of saying 'the pacing sucks' which is offensive, (but you already know that! :P) you could say why, and balance it with a positive- 'I found the pacing a little slow and it kept me from really getting connected with the great characters' or something along those lines!

[t. olmsted]

This is a great questions, and one I recently wrestled with myself. I requested an advance review copy of a novel from a publisher, who was kind enough to send it out to me. Unfortunately, it was an absolutely terrible book - by an author who has shown himself to be talented in the past. I struggled with writing my review for 5 days, and was still not happy with it when I finally did posted. In retrospect, I was trying too hard to be objective, fair and polite - and it really hurt the flow of the review. I didn't want to just say I didn't like the book - I wanted to give good reasons, and at the same time balance the criticisms out with some positives. Here's a link to the review at my blog BookSexy. in case it can be of any help. Again, I'm not happy with the quality of the writing in this review - but I do think the criticisms are fair and on the mark. I also sent a follow up email to the publisher thanking them for allowing me the chance to review the book, and included a link to my review. (So far I've heard nothing back, positive or negative).

One thing to keep in mind - just the act of writing a review and posting it on your blog is helpful to the author. Free marketing is still free marketing. Even a negative review, if thoughtfully written and constructive, can spark a potential reader's interest and sell copies of the book. I would never put up a review that tore apart a book just for the fun of it... but if I see something about a book that causes it to stand apart - regardless of whether or not the author was entirely successful - I do not shy away from posting my opinion.