When I was a reviewer, my practice was not to review anything I disliked, because I didn’t see any good reason to pan a work that someone might have spent years creating. But now I disagree with my younger self and that practice.
I rarely did a review of a book I didn't like unless it was in the face of a critical juggernaut and I thought the book was hyped and my readers (or listeners) might value a different opinion. I did not, however, invite authors to my radio show if I wasn't crazy about their books. And I sometimes passed on a book an editor asked me to review--and suggested a different assignment.
I was at a popular and respected writers conference last year when one speaker encouraged the writing of reviews as a valuable part of being in the literary community. I've written my fair share of reviews over the years, but it was only on the Internet that I was ever attacked for my opinion. It's a real disincentive to reviewing.
I can imagine! I was reviewing heavily in print for various newspapers and magazines back in the 90s and into the 2000s, well before Twitter mobs became a thing. I was lucky.
It's almost impossible today to learn from other people's views because they are so insistent that they're right. They can't explain their thinking, or don't wish to, and aren't interested in hearing how others think. We seem to have reached a dead end. Good post but I doubt that those who need to read it will.
Iconoclasts have always had bad press, lol! Taking a hammer to an idol, even if it's a metaphoric hammer, is bound to rebound in the current all-or-nothing-at-all cultural climate. I confess to being careful. I will post reviews of books or movies I love. If I have a "meh" reaction to something that is loudly applauded, I share my opinions in private. None of the sycophants care a fig about what I think anyway :)
This is the worst Substack/critique of Taylor Swift/pro Putin/anti Joe Biden/pro Avenger/defender of Anne Lamott/tomato hating/anti Santa thing I've ever read!!! I think you need to go back and, um, hold on, what was I ranting about again?
When I was a reviewer, my practice was not to review anything I disliked, because I didn’t see any good reason to pan a work that someone might have spent years creating. But now I disagree with my younger self and that practice.
I rarely did a review of a book I didn't like unless it was in the face of a critical juggernaut and I thought the book was hyped and my readers (or listeners) might value a different opinion. I did not, however, invite authors to my radio show if I wasn't crazy about their books. And I sometimes passed on a book an editor asked me to review--and suggested a different assignment.
Lev, is there a way I might DM you? If so, please send me an email at xpcallahan@substack.com
I was at a popular and respected writers conference last year when one speaker encouraged the writing of reviews as a valuable part of being in the literary community. I've written my fair share of reviews over the years, but it was only on the Internet that I was ever attacked for my opinion. It's a real disincentive to reviewing.
I can imagine! I was reviewing heavily in print for various newspapers and magazines back in the 90s and into the 2000s, well before Twitter mobs became a thing. I was lucky.
Good piece about an important subject.
Thanks for reading--feel free to share it.
‘Bless your heart’ - perfect.
:-)
It's almost impossible today to learn from other people's views because they are so insistent that they're right. They can't explain their thinking, or don't wish to, and aren't interested in hearing how others think. We seem to have reached a dead end. Good post but I doubt that those who need to read it will.
Perhaps it'll make some people think--one never knows!
Iconoclasts have always had bad press, lol! Taking a hammer to an idol, even if it's a metaphoric hammer, is bound to rebound in the current all-or-nothing-at-all cultural climate. I confess to being careful. I will post reviews of books or movies I love. If I have a "meh" reaction to something that is loudly applauded, I share my opinions in private. None of the sycophants care a fig about what I think anyway :)
Song cue: "If I had a Hammer"
But seriously, it doesn't even have to be an icon one might express some criticism of, however tame: anything can become the target for wrath.
I have occasionally printed reviews that weren't positive, but those are a tiny minority, and I'm never nasty about it.
I love the thoughtfulness, eloquence, and sanity of this.
Thanks!
Beautifully written, and absolutely spot-on. Thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the worst Substack/critique of Taylor Swift/pro Putin/anti Joe Biden/pro Avenger/defender of Anne Lamott/tomato hating/anti Santa thing I've ever read!!! I think you need to go back and, um, hold on, what was I ranting about again?
Tomatoes suck. There, I said it. So sue me. :-)
Oh no -- I am going to unleash the demon hordes of tomato Twitter supporters upon you...
I'll have to go to Vegetable Re-education Camp.
Agreed! They also need to somehow chill and not feel offended that other people might see the world and its cultural productions differently.