Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Kirsten Hacker asked this question about The Midnight Library:
Why are 50% of the reviews from the past couple of days less than three stars, yet this book has an overall rating of 4.31 stars? Is this book a magnet for paid-for reviews while those who spend their hard-earned money on it don't like it?
Franco D It is possible. I was surprised by reviews of more than 3/5. The book is rather average. Another person here had answered it even more adequately. I r…moreIt is possible. I was surprised by reviews of more than 3/5. The book is rather average. Another person here had answered it even more adequately. I repeat part of his answer and add my own: the book had been probably initially targeted (or sought after by) towards an audience that likes this kind of books. They rated 4, 5. But when it became popular it reached a larger audience who was disappointed even more and felt cheated because of all the initially high ratings. Because of that I rated it 2/5, and I would have rated maybe 3/5 if not for all the rants and raves by its baseline fans. I felt cheated and I wanted in my own way to reestablish justice. I believe this is what happens with most later readers. An advice: do not follow the overall ratings, but use the "comparison" functionality in Goodreads. It will help you see whether people who are similar to you, liked a certain book or not. Personally it it helps me skip silly and inadequate rants and raves from teenagers (or even avoid the trap of fake reviews if you believe such a thing exists)(less)
flag
More questions about The Midnight Library…
Image for The Midnight Library
The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more