Avi Perry
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About book reviews

9/29/2009

9 Comments

 
You open your email in anticipation. Of the seventy plus book review places to whom you sent your book--none has written a review. Two months have passed, and there is nothing—nothing but silence. You know your book is great. Your friends, your editor, some others who read the early version came back with glowing praise, but they don’t count. The rest of the world does not take them seriously. The book review section in the newspaper, the book review magazines, the online review sites—these are the ones you are still waiting for—but the only thing you hear is the sound of silence.

Then one day, a month later, you sit next to your PC, you don’t think about it, and all of a sudden, you notice—two of them have just landed in your mailbox. Your blood pressure rises as you open the first one. You start reading. The reviewer has done a reasonable job summarizing the plot… OK but what’s the bottom line? You skip some lines; you want to get to the bottom a little faster. Here it is, in black and white. She liked it. She liked it. She graded it—Five hearts. She thought the pacing was perfect, the characters—deep and distinctive, the delivery—superb. The dialogs—enjoyable and revealing. She liked everything.  You get up; look out the window—I am good, you say to yourself.

You sit back and open the next one. Again, a decent summary, but you want to get to the bottom, and fast. “What does that mean? You ask yourself after reading the closing line. You move one paragraph up, then two, then one more sentence. He didn’t like it. But why? What’s wrong? Your face turns red. You are upset. You read it again. It’s the exact opposite of the previous review. Whatever she liked and praised, he hates, he rejects, and he lets you know it.

Did the two reviewers read the same book? You ask yourself. And then it hits you. Your book addresses a controversial subject. By definition, people on your side of the issue are likely to identify with your story, but those on the other side would not be in favor. They would reject it. If your good guy is a Republican and your reviewer is a Democrat; if your bad guy is the President of Iran, and your reviewer is the Ayatollah, then they will put down your book and may even issue a fatwa (a death verdict).

Some good indicators of a politically motivated review are the way the reviewer delivers his or her verdict. If you detect hostility; if the reviewer dismisses your characters as stereotypes or caricatures, if he attacks elements that others have identified as solid and praise-worthy, then you might raise your eyebrow, try to unearth the motivation guiding the review.

Book reviews may have great value when they are positive. Anything less than 5 out of 5 stars (hearts) is not helpful. You ought to make use of the best ones, try to learn from the others, and try to forget the politically motivated ones.

9 Comments
Charmayne
11/25/2009 05:32:53 am

Avi, I just became acquainted with you via Facebook and was curious about your book. I appreciate knowing that I'm not alone in my political beliefs and frankly, fears, and am delighted to be in such esteemed company. I will purchase your book and look forward to reading it. :)

By way of introduction, I'm an ex-South African Jew and naturalized citizen of our wonderful country. In other words, I chose to be here and I make the most of my rights by voting and staying on top of politics.

I am also married to a non-Jewish airman, who has dedicated 16 years thus far to the Air Force. It is disappointing and downright terrifying to think of where our country is headed in our current climate of PC-ness, and really, what boils down to outright discrimination against our own. Our men and women are giving their lives in a war of mentality and instead of being praised, are, in many cases, finding themselves the victims of the very government they are sworn to defend and protect.

We are more concerned with how we are being perceived than with being respected. The inalienable rights that drew my family to America and prompted our citizenship, despite many hardships along the way, are now being bestowed upon garbage who have no regard for life, until theirs is threatened... the cowards that they are. We would rather sacrifice our brave than risk being ridiculed. Not to mention hide behind so-called health care reform and global warming.

WHEN the terrorists strike again—and they will because they know our administration is weak— government (i.e. taxpayer) provided insurance and melting glaciers will NOT be at the forefront of our concerns. And may G-d help us and them, when we finally actually shun Israel, one of our best and biggest allies.

Thank you for what you do and for indulging me. I'm just an average working woman, proud wife, and concerned citizen, so this outlet has been greatly appreciated.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

Charmayne

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The book review section in the newspaper, the book review magazines, the online review sites—these are the ones you are still waiting for—but the only thing you hear is the sound of silence.

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The dialogs—enjoyable and revealing. She liked everything. You get up; look out the window—I am good, you say to yourself.

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  • MY BOOKS
    • 72 Virgins--Synopsis
    • 72 Virgins - Book Reviews
    • 72 Virgins--An Excerpt
    • Book Trailer
    • 72 Virgins - Links to Published Interviews
    • Fundamentals of Voice Quality--Synopsis
    • Funsamentals of Voice Quality Engineering - Book Reviews
    • Special Promotions
  • Buy a Book
  • 6-Day War Remembered on Shalom TV
  • Published Articles
    • Political Blogs
    • Writer's Blog
    • Political Satires
  • My Biography
  • My Life in Pictures
  • Islam
    • Islamic Terrorism
    • Arab-Israeli Conflict
  • Conjugate Gradient
  • The Lahaka
  • O.J. Simpson's Song
  • My Music
    • Original Music--Password Required
    • My Xmas Jazz
  • Contact
  • HOME FOR SALE