Reviews that insult readers: what to do?

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Reviews that insult readers: what to do?

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1lorax
Nov 4, 2007, 2:38 pm

I don't want to name names, but I recently encountered a review on LT which said among other things "only {unflattering characterization} people would like this book." (The rest of the review was fine, an explanation of why the reviewer didn't like it). I certainly don't have a problem with negative reviews -- I've written a few myself -- but insulting people who do like the book seems uncalled for. This clearly doesn't warrant a flag, but it really doesn't seem appropriate. Or am I just too thin-skinned? Have any of you encountered this? What did you do?

2lilithcat
Nov 4, 2007, 5:11 pm

Based on what you've reported, I agree that it doesn't warrant a flag. Frankly, I'd leave it alone. If you left a comment for the reviewer, you might just end up in an exchange of nasty comments. And he is entitled to his opinion, however wrong-headed.

On the other hand, if a reviewer were to attack an individual, then it would be a violation of the TOS. (And I have seen this. Stuff like, "the previous reviewer is obviously an idiot who wouldn't know a good book if he tripped over it" or "X must be in the pay of the publisher to write such tripe", etc. Fortunately, these are rare.)

3EncompassedRunner
Modificato: Nov 6, 2007, 10:58 pm

Ha, when I went on Amazon to buy John Bolton's (the John Bolton, former Ambassador) new book Surrender is Not an Option, which was to be released tomorrow, I noticed someone had tagged the book "if you believe this your an idiot" (yeah, "your"). I thought it was kinda funny (and I'm one of those who probably will believe it, since I'm a huge Bolton fan). Anyone interested in the book can hear Bolton interviews over on the website of AtlasShrugs

ETA Title Touchstone (the book is now out and looks really, really good--lots of detail); I'm not sure how to add the right Touchstone for the author though, since there are at least 2 authors with the same name (John Bolton).

4lilithcat
Nov 6, 2007, 8:09 am

> 3

I am always amused when someone uses poor spelling (and, often, worse grammar) to attack someone else's intelligence. It tells me exactly how much credence I should give that opinion!

5barney67
Nov 6, 2007, 8:15 pm

Ignore it.

6Coruca
Nov 10, 2007, 12:53 pm

As stated above, I would not flag it. I would, however, probably avoid other reviews by this person, as will anyone who did like the work. That is would be the best punishment of all: to be ignored.

7andyray
Nov 11, 2007, 12:23 pm

ccah: thous art wise! As a greatly unknown and unappreciated author, I know how punishing it is to be ignored! maybe that's why i hate to write reviews that are negative in nature. So what do I get for my first book to review? A tome I absolutely hated for more reasons that Carter has farter-starters. I posted on LT but told the publisher I would not post it anywhere else, for which they thanked me.
I have no guilt on this one, as the author is a creative writing professor at a major college and shouild know better to make mistakes such as he made.