John Updike's rules for reviewing

[Dave Rosenthal]

To mark John Updike's recent death, it's worth rereading his five rules for reviewing a book. They're helpful for for any of us who do reviews. Here they are (somewhat abbreviated):

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending. ...

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's ouevre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

Those are great guidelines, but I think there should be an addendum for bloggers. I'd add: Be yourself. Write like you talk. Relate the book's lesssons to your life, or your readers' lives, if possible. And don't preach, but encourage a conversation.

Any more suggestions?

[Jane Greensmith]

These are great rules--ones to live by as a reviewer. I feel like there's some karma involved at some point in reviewing the works of others. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt, acknowledging that I may not be the target reader, and that tastes differ. That said, I try to be honest about whether I liked or didn't like a work, and whether it worked or didn't and why.

[Amy]

Fantastic guidelines, thanks for posting this. I'll try to keep Mr. Updike's rules in mind when I'm writing my next review.

[Melissa]

These are wonderful guidelines. Thanks for posting them!

[Sue Jackson]

Great advice for reviewers! I'll try to remember these tips. Thanks for sharing them.

Sue
www.bookbybook.blogspot.com

[Marta Hoelscher]

Thank you for this....I'll keep this in mind

[Maw Books]

Spot on! Thank you so much!

[Ruthie @ Ruthie's Book Reviews]

Those are great!

[Miss Mae]

Certainly sounds as though he understood an author...Good guidelines!

[Harvee Lau]

Now I know why people visit my blog but don't always leave comments!

[Molly Totoro]

I have just started to try my hand at book reviews, so this information is very timely. Thanks so much for sharing.

[The Book Cave]

Thank you for posting this, Dave. EXCELLENT info. I'd like to add to please be HONEST!!! I've read too many reviews where the reviewer is praising every author & it is so frustrating. I like to read reviews where the reviewer tells it like it is.
Again, thanks, Dave.

[Biblio Brat]

For the most part, I approach every read first and foremost as a reader, not a reviewer. That part of me I reserve for when I am done and can digest what I've read. Sometimes I find myself acting too much the critic and not simply reading for reading's sake. Once I catch myself, I back off a little and regroup.

Everyone brings a little of themselves to a book, that is natural as it is our voice reading the words for our mind to hear. I always bear that in mind when I am done and wish to convey my impressions to others. At least that is what I hope I do.