Into the Fire

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The Critical Christian

 

Since we discuss both Christian fiction and God here, can we take a few minutes to discuss the problem with critical Christians? Hear me out here. I see no problem with reviewers telling the truth about their preferences in reading. Each individual who engages in voicing his/her opinion about a novel which didn’t meet the personal standard set by the reader—whatever it might be—must decide how to relate the disappointment. When making public disclosures, it would seem there’d be an unspoken guarantee that a Christian would be tactful and respectful of the author’s efforts even when the story doesn’t appeal or the writing is unimpressive. If a person reads a novel, he/she is entitled to an opinion of the book.

 

I’ve given a few bad reviews because I honestly felt the novels were sub-par. I’ve also given some reviews where I held back most of my opinion because I recognized the novels would be favorites for their specific targeted audiences. It’s hard to fault an author for delivering the type of novel which speaks directly to those people who are expecting exactly what they’re going to get.

 

The problem which has surfaced and which I faced specifically with one of my “bad” reviews is the response of those readers who disagree with the reviewer’s opinion of the book. Apparently some Christians can get quite ugly in voicing their objections to those who don’t like the same books as them. Or other Christians who don’t like a novel criticize the author and question the author’s salvation. I’m told some of these bitter discussions take place on Amazon.com for all the world to see. Isn’t that special?

 

No one has to like a book. It’s true. I expect some brutality can show up in assessments given by those “in the world”. I expect honesty laced with respect from a Christian who doesn’t like a story and decides to give an opinion. And I expect other Christians who disagree with a reader’s assessment of a novel to either be silent or express their opposing opinions with class and regard for both the author and the reviewer. It should go without saying, shouldn’t it?

 

I’m just sayin’ . . .   

 

 

Father, help us to be more like Jesus. Dying to self. Daily. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

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6 responses to “The Critical Christian”

  1. Brenda Jackson Avatar
    Brenda Jackson

    This is a very difficult subject. Before I came to study the market when I started writing, I had no hangups whatsoever about book reviews. I read book reviews that at the time were in newspapers and other mediums. Those reviews were perfectly fine–they gave books good reviews, they gave books bad reviews and it was never personal. This is an absolutely normal way to conduct a book review. It’s a product and deserves a review, like any other product, regardless of its rating.
    Boy was I in for a shock when I came to follow the industry closely. The biggest thing that STILL astonishes me is that, to a person, when conversations have come up about book reviews, authors think a book review is all about THEM (ie. only done for THEIR benefit) and NOT for the consumer.
    While I always understood that a book review could definitely impact an author (and why there’s no room for personal attacks), to me their main purpose is to help consumers who have to make decisions about buying books, especially consumers who have little funds to spend on what are very high-priced items (compared to our paychecks). People ought to give this even more gravity and seriousness as brick and mortars disappear and we can’t physically pick up a book and leaf through it ourselves.
    We need honest reviews of books–whether they are great or terrible. And people who don’t agree with an honest, non-personal assessment of a work need to suck it up and deal with it and understand there are a variety of readers.
    I don’t take lightly the idea that we should treat others as we want to be treated. It’s very tough to give a review to a book that’s less than stellar. But a potential buyer deserves to know what the strengths and weaknesses are, and it is also a learning opportunity for a writer to balance against the overall feedback they receive. Especially since most writers are disconnected from people who just read and don’t write.
    Personally I don’t know why authors get their knickers in a knot over reviews. I have read very few that were personal attacks. I’ve read several that were unhelpful, such as a fairly common you might see on Amazon “..this is the worst book ever. My teacher made me read it for English lit…”
    I have also read a series of reviews where a common thread emerged as different people gave their review of a book.
    Yes, there are snarky, nasty people out there. And they aren’t going to go away–book reviews or no book reviews.

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  2. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    I’ve read some of those cat fights on Amazon and they’re not pretty.
    As a reader, I frequently look at reviews before choosing a book, and often the reviews that are the most helpful aren’t the ones that offer glowing praise to the author, but the 3 star or even 2 or 1 star reviews. If you disregard the ones that are just plain snarky or the ones that are upset that “God” is mentioned, it seems a lot more honesty and information comes out of them.
    Hopefully, when I’m a published author, I’ll have that same mindset & read the reviews to learn, not to be offended. I’m hoping all the critiques & rejections I’ve received over the years have thickened my skin adequately. But then I realize I am human.

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  3. Brenda Jackson Avatar
    Brenda Jackson

    And there is a side benefit to those reviews posted by people who are upset that God was mentioned (though some of them do still try and be fair in their review)—I recently read a review posted by someone who was an “ex-Christian”–it gave me someone specific to pray for. That wouldn’t have been possible if they hadn’t posted their review.

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  4. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Brenda, thoughtful to pray for those reviewers. I agree we need honest reviews that don’t attack the author. Those who rely on or at least consult reviews before investing in books should be able to balance the good and bad to make their decisions. It’s the way it’s done that matters. If there’s one snarky comment but otherwise a fair review that seems tolerable.
    Like I said, I give some bland reviews to books I don’t like because I know those particular novels have been written to a target audience who will appreciate them even if I don’t. There’s no point in me criticizing the book just because I don’t like the style or think the story and most of the writing is cliche. The truth is if it hits the mark for the audience it’s designed to reach, and a reviewer should recognize this, then what’s the point of saying I don’t like it. Sometimes we hope a book is good, and it just ends up not being for us at all.
    B. A., you’re amazing to develop that thick skin, and I think your approach to reviews rates merit. I never thought of that because I don’t read the reviews on Amazon. Except my own. 😉
    Christians cat-fighting: now isn’t that a pretty picture? Geez. How embarrassing, huh?

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  5. Tina F. Avatar
    Tina F.

    Nicole: We need reviews to be honest whether the reviewer likes the book or not. That is what the publisher asks of you when they give you a book for review.
    Another thoughtful and interesting post. I enjoy your blog.
    All the best and God Bless.

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  6. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Tina, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I’ve made sure the publisher(s) and/or the CFBA Tour allowed honest reviews before I’ve accepted free books. It’s difficult to do a bad review because no one is as thin-skinned as I am. I know what it feels like to experience rejection for what we’ve poured our hearts into on those pages. I think it’s important to give those reviews carefully and acknowledge that others will no doubt appreciate the book even if we don’t. At least I’ve found that to be true in every instance.
    I appreciate you spending time here, Tina. I wish you God’s best in all of your writing and in every aspect of your life.

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