One of the things that bugs me as an author about the reader review sections on Amazon is that I don’t get the right to reply. When someone slags me off I’d like the opportunity to at least argue my case.
To be fair, most of the reviews of my books put up on Amazon in the US and the UK have been good. But occasionally a bad one pops up – nasty even – and it gnaws away at me for days.
Like the one star review of Swahili for the Broken-Hearted given by ‘A Reader’ from London. They reckon ‘The humour is weak, witticisms are often contrived, and there is almost no insight into Africa.’ Worse, they say that people should read Tim Moore instead to see ‘how good travel writing can and should be!’ I must admit, it did cross my mind that the reviewer could have been Tim himself, incognito and still peeved at the mistake in the Guardian and my crack about him looking like Jonathon Woodgate.
I should point out that I’m not one of those authors who thinks all bad reviews are wrong. Some make some valid points that I then take on board. But some are so personal and vindictive that I find myself wondering what the real issue is. Most of the time I suspect the review is written by someone who has had a manuscript rejected and resent the fact that I got published and they didn’t.
Thank God for AmazonConnect then. I’m sure it’s not how the bigwigs at Amazon envisaged it being used, but it finally gives us authors the opportunity to reply to the reviews posted about our books.
Let the brawling begin!
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Hey Peter, there are some strange dudes out there.
You know what ? I have never actually continued with a book I didn’t enjoy, but that only really qualifies me to have a bit of a pop at the bit of the book I actually read, as opposed to the book in its entirety. On that note, I’ve read and re-read yours twice, ‘Swahili’ being my favourite as some of your comments re letting go of the past were very pertinent to me at time I read it.
Consequently, have to say that some people just like having a dig at people more successful than themselves. I have a mate who just can’t accept that Ellen McArthur is an inspirational individual who has conquered her craft as well as well as herself – sure that when he has been round the world single-handed several times, he will be writing his own memoirs……..!
To your critics, just smile knowingly and say the following…..”arse” !
Alex
One thing to remember … opinions on the arts are subjective.
I learned it while a member of a big photography club back in NZ. A photo could earn an honours one month then a rejection with a different judge next time. That’s how it is …
“Arse!” seems like good advice.
If it makes you feel any better, I enjoyed your take on travelling through Africa. I read it at roughly the same time as Paul Theroux equivalent, which I also enjoyed.
I speak as an African when I say you gave sufficient insight into ‘Africa’. A comment like their’s by the way, shows limited insight in its own right. Africa is ahuge continent with loads of different cultures and values – it isn’t possible to give an ‘insight into Africa’ anymore than it is to give a pan-European insight in a brief travel book.
I looked at some negative reviews on Amazon for a book I’d read and liked, and it scared the hell out of me for my upcoming book. It said thinks like “the writer is petty and self-satisfied.”
My old boss used to say:
“Just don’t look. It will drive you crazy.”
Peter,
this is my first time writing on your blog, so bare with me!
I live by the motto ‘I may not agree with what you say, but I would die for your right to say it’
It would be a nice idea to reply to those who slag your books off (surely they are in the minority!) but would you really want to get into a slagging match with your bad reviewers, for everyone to read?
I’m not so sure. I have had a book accepted by an agent in London (my home town) and some advice I was given (not that I am giving a more experienced writer like your good self advice!) was to never ever ever (!) reply or respond to a negative review – it is what the rotten, miserable sods want! Let it be…
However, should my agent finally get me a publisher, I will leave negative reviews on all travel books in Amazon, telling readers that my book is far superior and to buy that instead! Come on Peter, are you telling me the thought never crossed your mind!
Cheers dude!
Mick ‘yer man’
Like Paul above, I read Swahili at a similar time to Theroux’s African book, and The Wrong Way Home around the same time as reading Danziger’s Travels (the latter two having the Middle East and Caucasus in common). It was fascinating to get, for example, two different views of South Africa or Afghanistan – people see different things and have different personalities so that will be inevitable.
To say that Swahili had no insight on Africa does seem unfair – after all, writers can only write about what they experience, and if that means less dry culture/history, then that’s because they might be better at observing characters, events and so on, like in your books Peter.
I know what I’ve been trying to write about is far from insightful cultural analysis, but that won’t make it any worse. I hope…
Hi guys,
Thanks for your replies. I think you’re right Mick. No good will come from arguing with bad reviewers. If they’re steamed up enough to write the review in the first place you’re not going to bring them around with reasoned logic! Your agent is right – just don’t read them!
The whole insight thing bugs me though. I’m not one for laying it down in black and white. The world is full of too many grey areas for there to be a definitive take on any issue. I do hope though that my experiences give an idea of the situation in the countries I travel through and how people are dealing with them. My experience is that the default setting for people is good. I hope people get that from my books.
And as Simon says – two people can have completely different experiences in the same place. Who’s to say who is right?
I have been living in South Korea for a few years and it was only when I got home that I realised I had bought ‘Swahili’ for all the members of my family through Amazon over the years- oops!
Hi Missbels. I hope your family liked their copies of Swahili anyway. Personally, I think the guy is wrong. I know it’s my book- so I could be biased – but I’m also pretty self-critical. Of all my books, Swahili and The Wrong Way Home are my favourites.
Hi Peter,
As an artist, I know that some will like what you do, and some won’t – and it’s it’s usually the ones who don’t that make the most noise about it. Be comforted by all the people who have bought your books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I have just finished reading “Vroom with a View” and it’s rekindled my desire to have a classic Vespa. Sigh. I’ll certainly be looking out for your other books.
Best wishes, mate,
Shirley from New Zealand
Thanks Shirley. You’re right. I’m pleased to hear that Vroom has rekindled your desire for a classic Vespa. Like anything worthwhile they can be demanding – but repay your efforts tenfold!
the first line of this book…..”I knew I had been in Cape Town too long when people started asking me why the freeway overpass near the waterfront had never been finished.”…couldn’t be more correct. And the bloody think still isn’t finished….
Can’t say i’ve ever written a review on amazon, good or bad…never felt the need too, I do however, pass on your books (and whatever else i’m reading) to people I meet travelling once i’ve finished with them…in fact the copy of long way home I gave to someone on my way into the amazon in ecuador got given back to me as I was trying to get into columbia a couple of weeks later. spooky.
Whoah.
‘Swahili’ was about Africa???
Hi Peter
I just wanted to say that I loved Swahili and reading it on the tube in London has been an embarrasing experience – people always think you are a nutter when you start laughing out loud! Looking forward to the next book.
Just blundered across this (ah, the double-edged delights of vanity Googling), and feel obliged to emphasise I’m not responsible for any bad reviews left on your Amazon pages (and only a few of the glowing ones left on mine). Though as I now learn you’re comparing me to Jonathan ‘Village Idiot’ Woodgate, all that may change…
I’ve encountered a little Peter/Tim confusion in my time, usually in bookshops (and yes, I did see that thing in the Guardian). And a few years back I submitted a proposal for a book about going round the Roman Empire on an old Vespa (as a diehard mod I had one as a teenager and still hanker after another)… months later some bloke did a book about going round the Roman Empire (Route 66AD), and a year or so after that Vroom With a View came out…