I am withdrawing my original post. The following comments are correct, it was too vitriolic. Just because I didn't like a book doesn't give me the right to be so "snarky." It was not the book for me, in any event.
Random House is welcome to directly contact me should it find one of my reviews offensive. I am open-minded to legitimate discussion. My apologies to Random House for any discomfort I've caused it.
Oh, that’s nice. You changed your “don’t review books you don’t like” policy in order to write about a book you didn’t even read. If you don’t want your advance reader’s copy anymore, can I have it? I’ve been waiting for this book for weeks and want it even more now that I’ve read the piece about it in Vogue Magazine.
ReplyDeleteEven without the context, I can tell what the author meant by those snippets. Cogs of democracy = bureaucrats, and I can think of several ways that fattening them makes sense. Yes, webs have tendrils because tendril = hair-like. Maybe the writing wasn’t pedestrian enough.
Anyway, if your copy is up for grabs I would give it a happy home. Thanks.
I not only loved this book but READ this book! Why would you write a blog post trashing a book you ADMIT to not reading? Shame on you. You don't like this book? Write a better one - until then have a little class.
ReplyDeleteI just looked this up in Publisher's Weekly and they gave this a boxed starred review....so I guess they disagree with you...a lot.
ReplyDeleteSeven, according to www.goodreads.com, you already read this book in November, 2010. You posted your review of this book the same day you signed up. You listed several classics that you liked, and I agree with your choices of classics. Haven't you read anything since "The Informationist"?
ReplyDeleteHey - yours seems less a review than it is a mean spirited slaying. I am a bookseller/co store owner in LA and I have to tell you - if one of my booksellers posted something like this I would be pretty upset. Its not only a slap in the face to readers who may like a certain genre - but you are cutting off your nose despite your face - this kid is going to be a big star and...should she see this post...good luck ever getting her to the store - and should the publisher see you trash one of their authors like this - and she is a Random House author....well good luck with that. I don't know if you are a big enough store to have an in person rep - but my rep would be pretty taken aback with this kind of unprofessionalism and I assume yours will too...and may return the favor. You may want to remove this mean spirited and in the end unwise post - plus in this climate - dont you want to sell books not alienate readers? and the earlier post here is right - the book is getting great early reviews. good luck.
ReplyDeleteI love Random House, and I love my Random House rep. They have brought out some spectacular books. Would they truly deny me the right to say what I think? What bookstore do you own, Mike?
ReplyDeleteBarbara, you're correct, I HAVE read The Informationist. And I LOVED it, as do I love the second book, The Innocent, to be published next year. Taylor Stevens going to be a household name for years to come in the line of Ludlum, Rowling and Larsson. The original post to your critique, by the way, was made by my sister Claire who was borrowing my laptop.
ReplyDeleteHad I read your "review" my response would have been much snarkier. What, exactly, makes you think you know better than a publishing house whose minion tear apart manuscript submissions on a daily basis to either, make them as good as possible; or to decide they are irredeemable and earmarked for the rubbish heap? Not that you can ACTUALLY call your blog post a review since the concept demands a revisitation on something you have already read, but I digress...
As the others' have already mentioned: your post comes off as a feeble attempt by a lesser writer to tear down an impending star for the simple crime of being better than you. I can only hope that your lack of professionalism and common decency are rewarded in kind. And, from one writer to another: a course in reading comprehension may be in order...cheers.
Oh, and, my sister was serious about wanting your unread galley if it's available. I gave mine to our mum who has since fished it out to all of her bookclub friends and am unlikely to ever pry it back.
ReplyDeleteAnd incidentally, yes, I have read other books since The Informationist. If I took the time to review every single book I read, I'd never leave the house. The Informationist just happened to be the first book I cared enough to take the time to review, which in itself, should say something about it's content.
ReplyDeleteI thought your review was fair. No reader will like every book. Instead of attacking the critic, comment why you disagree. I still see no reason to buy this book. Just a couple of people who really really liked the book.
ReplyDeleteI expect any reviewer to occasionally dislike a book, otherwise the reviews give the impression of the reviewer shilling for free books.
I expect my bookseller to be honest to me when I ask for his or her opinion.
To Seven and his sister Natasha, I applaud your support of a book you love, but next time comment with more substance and less anger.