Well, it's been a fun week. I thought I'd use my last post to respond
to some of the comments and thoughts raised by my post of a couple of
days ago, in which I asked whether and why folks write book reviews.
Rather than be particularly organized, I'm just going to list some of
my thoughts and opinions on the subject. And then, I'll be signing
off.
-It seems to me poetry reviews have a relatively small impact on poetry
sales, because most poetry books are bought by libraries (for whom
pre-pub reviews in PW and LJ matter most) or by an extremely educated
audience. Therefore, I think the purpose of poetry reviews is mainly
to keep the art form in line, meaning to generate a conversation around
books. So, though I rarely write them, I don't think negative reviews
are a bad idea.
-That said, negative reviews written for the purpose of making the reviewer look smarter than the book under consideration are always a bad idea. People trying to look smart rarely do look smart.
-A primary concern for a reviewer should be writing an interesting piece of prose, a piece worth reading. This may be more important--I tread lightly here--than being right, or even accurate. It's certainly more interesting. See the reviews of Randall Jarrell and, more recently, William Logan.
-To Mr. Hummer, who seemed so inflamed by the notion of a poetry publicist, understand I'm not referring to some weird world where poets themselves have publicists coordinating their appearances. If you've published 11 books, someone has done the publicity work on them--sending out review copies, pitching them to the distributor, maybe trying to line up a review or two--whether it was a publicist at the press or the editor or you. It's an essential part of the publication process. But poetry hasn't sold out.
-I review books to help myself read them better, to get inside some of their thoughts.
-I review books to make a small part of my living.
-I review books because I think it's important to practice writing prose. There is no excuse for poets who can't string a standard sentence together, but can wield fragments like knives.
-I review a lot of prose so that I am made to read books I wouldn't otherwise read.
-I don't necessarily believe that poetry needs to strive to reach a wider audience. It's one of those things that needs to be sought. Those who need it find it. If more people need it, more people will find it. Poetry is its own gatekeeper.
-That said, negative reviews written for the purpose of making the reviewer look smarter than the book under consideration are always a bad idea. People trying to look smart rarely do look smart.
-A primary concern for a reviewer should be writing an interesting piece of prose, a piece worth reading. This may be more important--I tread lightly here--than being right, or even accurate. It's certainly more interesting. See the reviews of Randall Jarrell and, more recently, William Logan.
-To Mr. Hummer, who seemed so inflamed by the notion of a poetry publicist, understand I'm not referring to some weird world where poets themselves have publicists coordinating their appearances. If you've published 11 books, someone has done the publicity work on them--sending out review copies, pitching them to the distributor, maybe trying to line up a review or two--whether it was a publicist at the press or the editor or you. It's an essential part of the publication process. But poetry hasn't sold out.
-I review books to help myself read them better, to get inside some of their thoughts.
-I review books to make a small part of my living.
-I review books because I think it's important to practice writing prose. There is no excuse for poets who can't string a standard sentence together, but can wield fragments like knives.
-I review a lot of prose so that I am made to read books I wouldn't otherwise read.
-I don't necessarily believe that poetry needs to strive to reach a wider audience. It's one of those things that needs to be sought. Those who need it find it. If more people need it, more people will find it. Poetry is its own gatekeeper.
Thanks for a great week Craig. I hope you'll consider a return engagement.
Stacey
Posted by: Stacey | November 01, 2009 at 02:25 PM
A terrific post, Craig. I agree that "it's important to practice writing prose. There is no excuse for poets who can't string a standard sentence together." It would be very valuable to see how others would treat the large question ("why write book reviews?" and the subsidiary questions that inevitably turn up, as on your list.
I second Stacey's motion for a return engagement soon.
Posted by: DL | November 02, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Thank you for posting this as I am working on my first review it was extremely helpful.
Posted by: erika moya | November 02, 2009 at 04:55 PM