--To tell the world (or as many people as possible) about a great book you read?
--To tell (same world or less) about a book whose author should be flogged to just within inches of his life, and then be made to replant all the trees wasted in the book's publication?
Yes and yes. More often than not the books I read get me so excited (did I mention I am a book lover?) I want as many people as possible to read them and hopefully have the same great experience I had. Notice I said hopefully. After all, I could only hope the person(s) to whom I recommend a book enjoy(s) it as much as I did. Nothing sure about that.
And likewise, there are those times when I want to share the shortcomings of a book in a way that is fair to the writer, but true to my opinion of it. (I never...okay, I rarely ever recommend a writer be flogged for a lousy book. Planting trees, now that's a good idea.) Of course it's tougher to have a good outcome--chagrined writer, justified reviewer, grateful readers (best scenario)--in response to an unfavorable review. That may be the reason some reviewers avoid saying anything about a book they don't like, or why some try to cushion any blow with vague descriptions like "puzzling," "not my taste," "not his/her best work," and other such language. Some reviewers also try to suggest reasons (excuses for) why a book may be less than stellar. And then of course there are those reviewers who just seem to gleefully pounce on the offending book and beat it and the writer bloody.
The fact is, all reviewers, like all books and writers, aren't equal. At one extreme are those reviewers who are clearly no more than publicists writing gushy prom pieces for book sales. At the other extreme are those who can't hide the chip on their shoulders about writers and publishers and delight in finding fault with every book they read. Between the extremes there's still a lot of shady ground associated with motive and the need for moonlighting or freelance work for writers / book reviewers. All of that is probably why some people take book reviews with a fat pinch of salt (or a dose of salts, depending on which end of the anatomy they think needs the most help processing the review).
I usually tread a fine line here with my reviews. You see, it's not only the reviewers and writers who are unequal (in terms of knowledge, writing skills, and what not), the marketplaces for books are also glaringly unequal. Even in this space where I review/feature--this cyber-constructed Caribbean space--I am aware that the marketplace for Caribbean books is a small one. Many of the books I review/feature/and tweet about by Caribbean writers are yet to find a consistently interested, buying Caribbean readership here outside of the Caribbean (read Caribbean Book Blog for more on book marketing/publishing issues within and outside the Caribbean).
So here's my dilemma: part of what I see myself doing here is helping to create a marketplace for the books I review and feature. But it ain't easy. So when I berate a book, I feel I'm helping to make it less buyable in a very stingy marketplace. And I don't feel good about that at all.
But even with the serious considerations for marketplace and readership, I still do my best to be honest about any book I review here. Understand this disclaimer though: my reviews /analyses are solely based on the text, and what I see there (unless otherwise noted) is entirely my interpretation.
So if you think you see kiss-ass, gush, what-de-eff-she-talking-bout-she-musse-hate-he in any review, then just nod your head and smile. But please buy the book and check it out for yourself.
And here's a parting gift from John Steinbeck for the writer who just can't seem to separate his or her sense of self from the writing (good or bad) he or she produces:
Writing to me is a deeply personal, even a secret function, and when the product I [turn] loose [is] cut off from me, I have no sense of [it] being mine. Consequently, criticism doesn't mean anything to me. As a disciplinary matter, it is too late.
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Related topic: What is "good" writing?
