This week's Saturday question:
...do you receive review copies of Christian books? If so, do you review them honestly? How do you handle it when you don't like a book but are obligated to provide a review? Who do you see your first commitment being to in book reviewing (besides God)? Yourself? The author? Your readers? Does your review change based on the spiritual content of the book or is it solely based on technical or artistic merit? Have you ever had a negative experience with an author after giving them a negative review? (please don't name names)
Do I review Christian books?
Yes
Do I review them honestly?
I review books. I don't know what dishonest reviewing is.
How do you handle it when you don't like a book but are obligated to provide a review?
I am a book reviewer. My obligation is to do what I do, review the book. If the review rating isn't stellar then so be it. I love all books, maybe not the execution of the story. It is a feat to complete a book, so I give every book at least that respect.
Who do you see your first commitment being to in book reviewing (besides God)? Yourself? The author? Your readers?
The book. I am a book reviewer. My first commitment is to the book, more importantly the story.
Why do I say that? I believe that a book has its own life, almost an eternal life if the book is worthy of constant reprinting. Just like a piece of art or a piece of music, the book defines a culture and it deserves a certain level of respect. When I review a book I don't just look at story, but its build, its cover, its pricing and the story. I use a five point rating system and 4.5 for Romantic Times Magazine book reviews. 4 points in the rating is comprised of the story. The last point goes to the extras that make the book a keeper.
Second to the reader. Third to the author. God above all others of course.
Does your review change based on the spiritual content of the book or is it solely based on technical or artistic merit?
When it comes to Christian Book reviews orthodoxy is important and I include it in my rating regarding theme. What separates a Christian book from an inspirational title is its orthodoxy without it what's the difference between the two?
Have you ever had a negative experience with an author after giving them a negative review?
I had an author upset with my review, because she thought I revealed too much of the story. I only used the summary the publicist and the back cover provided.
7 comments:
Great aspects of reviewing! I like your take on things and your point system. :)
Good viewpoint.
Interesting thoughts! I love "I don't know what a dishonest review is" :)
Thanks, Kalea. I have reviewed books for years for newspapers, for magazines, and lit journals, so I my take is I thought to be a standard.
What's interesting about reviewing Christian novels is that some Christians think that they automatically deserve a good rating because the passion behind the book is to edify the Body of Christ. How can anyone have a problem with a book that's purpose is Good?
Its almost like not booing someone singing a gospel song at The Apollo. Craftmanship shouldn't be negated. Reviews if written with the best intentions will showcase the good points of the book, while pointing out some challenges.
I agree we should review the book for what it is. Nice response!
I actually liked the honesty of your post. I think a lot of times reviewers provide enough of the story to help readers decide if the book is for them. I don't know that I've ever really read something that upset me because they gave too much away.
:) Wendi
I've got mine up late . . .
Here is my Faith 'n Fiction Saturday post.
Good points you give Dee. I'm new at this so it's always good to learn from someone who has done this a while. I love your insight.
I run book clubs so I write reviews of the book with that in mind. I hadn't thought of a book as art but you are right when I look at it that way. I try to tell about the story, message not all the writing techniques etc.
THANK YOU for talking about this subject. It's quite fascinating.
Nora St.Laurent
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