Questions About Kathleen Hale Is a Crazy Stalker

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Goodreads allows people to rate and comment on a book before it is published? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of book ratings, and turns it into author ratings instead? Not denying that Hale made some very unwise choices. But shouldn't a book review page be about reviewing the book on its own merits, rather than using it as a place to unload feelings on an author?

Babbity Kate Goodreads has always allowed people to review before the publish date (at least as long as I've used).

Almost every time, pre-release ratings are from…moreGoodreads has always allowed people to review before the publish date (at least as long as I've used).

Almost every time, pre-release ratings are from people who have already read the book posting reviews. Occasionally, people use one- or five-starring a book pre-release as protest, but that's very uncommon (and controversial).

Lots of reviewers who wouldn't normally rate a book they haven't read are making an exception to this book. I believe this comes down to two reasons:

1- They aren't complaining about personal author behavior that has nothing to do with the book. The book itself is an attempt to capitalize on that very behavior. The essay and the title are an effort to repackage Hale's predatory behavior as cute and wacky, then literally profit off it. These reviewers aren't just downvoting the author; they're responding to the very concept of the book.

2- Most people rating are book bloggers or other reading influencers. Behavior like Hale's isn't just distasteful or unpopular--it makes it dangerous to do their work. With her actions, Hale has disqualified herself from traditional reviewing. She's shown that she isn't interested in a respectful, productive relationship with reviewers. It isn't safe to give her books traditional reviews, and she isn't entitled to them.

So, while of course people are responding to Hale's actions, they aren't just "unloading feelings" that have nothing to do with the book. Hale's behavior has everything to do with the book. They *are* looking on the book on it's "own merits." You can't tell before reading if a book is well-written or interesting, but you CAN tell if it is intended to profit off of the unacceptable treatment of the book community. And that alone should be met with a loud, clear NO.

(That said, I personally have shelved the book but not rated it. As a rule, I don't rate books I haven't read.) (less)

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