Objectively reviewing a book that's a bad match

[Darla]

How does one review a book that was beautifully written but the reviewer simply didn't like because it wasn't her type or style? In some ways, I think finding a good book is kind of dating - you start out playing the field, but eventually narrow it down to a type. For example, I like books with strong female characters that are well-developed, such as with Lisa Scottoline, Elinor Lipman, or Adriana Trigiani, and I most recently read LaRose by Louise Erdlich. LaRose is beautifully written, but it wasn't my style. I didn't really relate to any of the characters, and truth be told, I really didn't enjoy it that much. How can I objectively review it?

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Well, in my opinion (and the opinions of many other folks I talk to), you don't have to be objective. In your review, you say exactly what you did or did not like about it, just as you do in your question: "I admired the beautiful writing, but it's not a good book for me, because the female characters aren't strong or well-developed, and, in this book especially, I could not relate to them."

If I'm truly bemused, that is to say, if I'm sure there are lots of people who would adore the book, and they'd do so with good reason, and I'm just being idiosyncratically fussy, I skip the rating. But I always try to find something to say in the review space, to help other ppl who are trying to decide whether or not to read the book.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Btw, characters are really important to me, especially female characters that are fully developed 'real' people. I have to be able to relate to them, or at least care deeply about them. I cannot stand cardboard / iconographic characters.

So, I'm going to follow your reviews and send you a friend request. Please keep writing *something* about the books you read!

My reviews are mostly on Leafmarks, but I'm not sure you'd be interested in reading them anyway because I've never actually read any of the authors you mention except one children's book by Erdrich.

[Michelle]

I know this is an old topic, but this issue is part of why I joined this group.

In part, I didn’t actually realize you could review a book without writing it. LOL Still learning. That’s good feature. I used this ability in a book I recently gave up on. Normally, if a book is bad enough that I can’t even bring myself to finish it, I give it one star. In this case though, I only read the book because of the author. I delayed because the genre, setting, plot, etc. just didn’t appeal to me. I should’ve followed my instincts and not read it, so giving a low rating would not have been fair to the book or the author.

In the past though, I rated the books. The first crime mystery book I read was boring and predictable. Even as I gave it a low rating, I wondered if I was being fair because it wasn’t a genre I really knew. I’ve read a couple mysteries since then, and I do believe I was being fair. Unlike the above book, I gave it a chance in the first place because of the plot did interest me. The book just didn’t keep my interest.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

(Without reading it, you mean?)

In any case, my opinion remains the same. I will often say something like, "I don't often read in this genre; nonetheless I'm giving it a low rating because it was predictable and cliched."

Or sometimes I'll say something like, "I think this is probably a four star book because I enjoyed it even though I have never read in this genre before. But maybe it's just ordinary, and I'd know that if I had read more like it. So I won't rate at all."

Again, reviews matter so much more than ratings. :)

Btw, I almost never rate books that I don't finish, but I do review them, often with more care than books I did read through.

I'm always glad to see discussion on the group. I really appreciate learning how other people approach this and other issues.

[Michelle]

I realize that rating a book that one hasn’t finished is going to be iffy. At what point is it fair to rate it? I don’t really know myself. Personally, I think it’s fair, as long as an honest effort to read or listen to the book was made. The book after all, got my interest in the first place. I wanted to enjoy it.

One thing I do when I’m ready to give up a book is look at other reviews to check for signs that the book will improve. For example, reviews with “it has a slow start” have gotten me to keep going. However, if I find a book boring, and all the reviews I see are either that they liked it or found it boring, that tells me that it’s probably not going to improve. Of course that’s subjective. I’ve loved books the other people found boring, and I’ve gotten bored with books that other people loved.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

I too will look at other reviews when considering whether or not to dnf.

[Raymond]

I have reviewed books that were a bad match for me but that I thought others may well enjoy. Famously "The unbearable lightness of being" which I did not enjoy at all but did note the often excellent writing style and phrasing. I just was not aware a man could make up so many excuses for his philandering to justify it to himself. Lol- I was pilloried for that one even if simply being honest. It seems many thought it honest, strangely all women.
Marcel Proust, well written but as dull as dishwater, used dishwater with congealed fat, that has had any shine left sanded from it with a dirty wet rag. But if you wish to study sentence construction and phrasing the man was a genius.
But I seriously ask how do you review something that you have not enjoyed but others might. I think that I have made a fist of it but others do not seems happy when I do.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Ah, don't fret about the vocal minority. I'm sure your reviews have helped ppl who didn't say so!

[Data]

I came back here and read the posts in this thread with some trepidation today, because today is the first time I remember writing a review for a 5-star book and a 1-star book on the same day. Part of the reason for the rating on the 1-star was probably that it was a mismatch for me. But I gritted my teeth, and wrote the review, trying to put in words what was distressing to me.The Calling of Dan Matthews has lots of high ratings and reviews (I wrote my review without looking at any others), and then there is mine ...
I do think it is valid to write honest reviews on books outside the genres you normally read in, maybe with some comments on why you don't normally read books in that particular genre. As the others posting in this thread imply, if you just say "Ugh, I didn't like it." , you're not adding anything to the conversation. On the other hand, more power to you if you are willing to read outside your comfort zone, and better yet, to review outside your comfort zone.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

"Adding to the conversation." Good point, Data. Thank you for adding to this one!

[Raymond]

I agree data.

[L J]

When obligated to read and review books I didn't care for I fall back on the basics.
Who are the characters and how do I feel about them?
What kind of book is it and what do I like or dislike about that kind of book?
Where and when does the book take place? Do I think those elements are well done and match other elements?
Why did I read the book?
How do I feel about it?
If I dislike something popular I sometimes cover some of the elements that others love and explain why I agree or disagree.
From a library read: "I agree with those who praise the elegant writing but I never became engaged by the characters even though their situation was something I thought I would find interesting. What sticks in my mind are descriptions of what things such as scenery looked like. If this were a travelogue that would be great but as a novel it didn't work for me."

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

I really like that sample of your review. That's what I aim for, but I don't often succeed.

[L J]

Cheryl wrote: "I really like that sample of your review. That's what I aim for, but I don't often succeed."

Thanks. I read some of your reviews for books you didn't care for and I think you do a good job of playing fair. No one succeeds every time and we are probably our own toughest critics.
I picked that review on out of I don't know how many. Short reviews can take more time to write than longer ones but I think being held to 1000 characters or less makes me stick to the most important points. When it comes to books that are a bad match that's one of the things that helps me.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

That's a good idea - not to let oneself ramble on, but to stick to the most important points. Thanks!

[L J]

Just ran into an example of this. Author asked people in a group I'm in to read/listen and review. Since I could get it from the library I did so. I rate but rarely post negative review of early books by authors. I will post if author asks me to and some have done that. After reading my review author agreed with my decision not to post actual review.

Here's the list I posted earlier in this discussion and how it worked for this book. Identifying info avoided.

Who are the characters and how do I feel about them?
The series title character is revealed near end of book to be unreliable narrator. I don't like that and it makes me doubt I could stick with the series.
I like the romantic connection character and would be more likely to read books featuring that character.
What kind of book is it and what do I like or dislike about that kind of book?
Not the genre I was expecting. The set up has potential and I liked the idea. Audio made it easier to keep up with changing POV. Dislikes: Part of book is from the viewpoint of the murderer. Minor characters were portrayed as unpleasant, disagreeable, incompetent or untrustworthy. These are not people with whom I wish to spend time.
Where and when does the book take place? Do I think those elements are well done and match other elements?
Most of book takes place present day but there's not enough description to get a feel for setting. With so little information this becomes generic so there's not much to match.
Why did I read the book?
Author asked for readers/listeners. The ebook and audio were available from my libraries.
How do I feel about it?
It had potential but it not being the genre I expected was off putting. When I think of it as another genre and think of the love interest as main character I am happier with it.

ETA My reaction to fiction is mostly subjective. These question help provide objective view of my subjective reaction. This is not a review. This provides information on which to base a review. Review would be much shorter and spoiler free or with spoilers hidden.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Very helpful!

I do sometimes like unreliable narrators, so I've gotta ask, do you mind telling us what book this is?

[L J]

Cats, Cannoli and a Curious Kidnapping: An Anna Romano Mystery Series

Both ebook and audio were available to me from hoopla through both my libraries.
I preferred the audio. The place in timeline is at the beginning of each chapter but not the POV identity. Audio helps with POV plus I wasn't seeing odd punctuation etc. so it didn't bother me.
If I think of this as cat cozy with female as main character, which is what I thought it was, the best I can give it is an okay mostly for the cats and the potential. If I think of it as police procedural with male detective as main character I like it better.
I may try the second one A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller but only if I can get audio. Unless the blurb has been edited you can see from blurb for book 2 why I don't want to read print copy.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Thank you!
This is the kind of review I look for, but I respect your decision not to post it.

[L J]

Cheryl wrote: "Thank you!
This is the kind of review I look for, but I respect your decision not to post it."

Since this is new series by rather new author I shared information I would use for review with her and she asked me not to post in reviews. Some authors want me to post even negative reviews.
I told her in advance I posted about books in groups. If you want to see what I posted here's a link to one of those posts. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Occasionally I "Add to my Update Feed" but not usually.
edited for clarity

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Yes, that's fair. I'm reluctant to 'nip in the bud' new authors with potential, too.