tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post8358238107013018886..comments2023-04-12T10:45:21.979-04:00Comments on Deathday Letters: At the Intersection of Reading and WritingShaun Hutchinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-63771405074632039492012-04-18T17:41:06.572-04:002012-04-18T17:41:06.572-04:00I actually don't have a problem with other wri...I actually don't have a problem with other writers calling out books that they feel very strongly about, but I think that if an author is going to be critical of a book, they should make sure they REALLY have something to say, and they'd better be prepared for the consequences. <br /><br />As an aside, I was reading some reviews for John Green's newest book THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. It's pretty much been universally loved. Out of 630 reviews on Amazon, 550 of those are 5 Star and only 4 are 1 star. There are 9 two-star ratings as well. Anyway, I was reading the one star reviews, and I noticed a really horrifying trend that sort of goes along with what I was saying: The one-star reviews were voted into oblivion, and there were a couple that had multiple comments telling the commenter to "burn your computer" or lambasting them for missing the point.<br /><br />Just as the Internet allows people with opinions to say horrible things about a book, it can also stifle dissenting opinions. The fans of Green's books seem to spend a lot of time making sure that they drown out anyone who doesn't like the book.Shaun Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6694092506511551308.post-68878363714914677192012-04-16T10:34:40.923-04:002012-04-16T10:34:40.923-04:00Well said, Shaun. This is exactly why I only recom...Well said, Shaun. This is exactly why I only recommend books I love, and don't review anything I don't. Let's leave that to the critics.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.com