"A bit disappointing. The story ambled along for ages, giving no indication of where it was going, with lots of rather pointless looks at the main character's youth. There's also the mysterious letters that have no purpose in the story until the very end, when the reason for them is revealed totally out of the blue."Is that true? Is my book disappointing and rather pointless?
"The Letters flings the reader up onto an edge of adrenaline fuelled frisson before dropping you into fur lined ruts where you could happily luxuriate forever."
What about that? Which review is true?
I think both are.
Here's what started me thinking about this. I found this short review of Michael Kimball's How Much of Us There Was. "...possibly the dullest book ever written." Horror! How could someone think that about such a moving, exquisitely written, profound book?
Then I remembered that for that reader, it WAS probably the dullest book ever written.
It's very important for all of us to remember this. Maybe it's especially important for us writerly types, who (if we're very lucky) have to listen to a lot of praise. Here's what the Buddha said...
“Praise and blame and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a great tree in the midst of them all.”
And a great quote by Dereke Bruce, which also gave me the excuse for the photo for this post:
“In order to keep a true perspective of one’s importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.”
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12 comments:
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What a marvellously healthy attitude!
Good for you!
Well, that's how I feel on GOOD days, Alan ;)
It is true that it is all in the reader's perspective. There have been books that I just could not get through that were on NY Times Bestseller List. No one book will please everyone - it is an impossibility.
Ooh, I love that cat/dog quote - how very apt.
Of course, you can choose to only believe in the dog's opinion but it doesn't hurt to remember the cat's position too.
Interesting, I was just thinking about this the other day: if I believe the great reviews of my book, don't I have to believe the bad reviews too? All or nothing? Well, best to believe nothing, I think, and do as you sensibly do and say, Well, for that reader.... It's so subjective, frankly I am thrilled that anyone gets anything I write, ever!
Love the dog and cat thing, I have a cat to both ignores me and worships me, so best of both worlds!
You are a brave soul. Sometimes I feel having a kid is a good way to keep your feet on the ground and your head the right size.
Yes, good article. It's great to get positive reviews. Most writers like them, unsurprisingly. But I have always attempted to live by the words of the late, great John Peel, "Never believe in your own propaganda."
Great attitude Fiona, I am in awe of you. I love the quote from Buddha. And all cats ignore me....but I'm a dog person so I'm learning not to take it personally :P
You impress me every time I read your blog. You work so hard and accept everything with such good grace. At is best your writing is truely sublime and I think you should dwell on the second review, the "dog" one, as I am sure that it is where you're headed.
Sarah - yup, reminds me of when I pass amazing books on to friends and they just don't like them - different folks!
Tam, isn't it great? Although I think cats can do the adoring thing too - mine can...
Tania - on my best days, I enjoy the good reviews without taking it too personally - difficult to describe. I do ponder about this one too though.
M - I bet it is! Children are experts at saying it as it is...
Rob, I like it. Mr. Peel is my all time hero, and part of why I loved him so much was his humility.
green ink - don't be in awe - I only write these things down on good days ;) and if you lived closer I'd introduce you to Fatty but he'll have to love you from afar...
Catherine - that's very kind :) although like I said I don't tend to blog so much when I'm feeling spoilt and grumpy - feels like an unfair representation!
And thank god for Buddha!
x
I think the important thing is to remember what you love, whether that be the things you read or the things you write. Know why you love them and then no-one can knock them down. By all means listen to others opinions, that's respectful after all, and they need to look after their own as much as you do yours. It's all about respectful exchange. And honest interaction with each others art. I'd rather say I didn't like something than lie, so that when I say I like something else it's equally all the more genuine for it. I hope that ramble makes at least a little sense?!
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