Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Book Reviewing

Meg Rosoff explains why she only reviews books she likes in the Guardian Book Blog. She sums it up with this story:
  • "A journalist friend told me about reviewing an Elmore Leonard novel negatively, then meeting the author a few months later at a literary festival. The critic found him dignified, charming, and modest, writing and speaking with as much care and professionalism at 84 as he'd done for the past 50 years. The flaws of the novel seemed suddenly insignificant, my friend told me, and he felt ashamed."

There's something about those negative reviews. I avoid them too, even if I'll mention a book I didn't like in the comments.