Tayari's Blog: Dare I Take the "ONE STAR CHALLENGE?"
Posted by TayariJones on April 29, 2008 12:03 PM
Filed under
The Writing Life
John Scalzi is daring writers to post the skankiest amazon reviews posted about their books. My first thought was "How funny! I'll do it!" Afterall, self-deprecating is the new black these days. So I tootled over to amazon to look at the one-stars. It wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. So then, I thought I wouldn't participate. But THAT is the same as backing down from a challenge. Besides, not participating would be in the category of "fear/shame" and am I not working hard to get those nasty trolls out of my life and my consciousness?
So, with no further ado. Here are my ugliest amazon reviews for The Untelling. Weirdly enough, nobody hates on Leaving Atlanta. Well, almost nobody...
See, look at me. Stalling. Why is this so hard? Okay. Here goes.
Horribly Boring, June 22, 2006 By Lotta Books "I read a Lotta Books"This review is from: The Untelling (Hardcover)
I hate that I wasted my money on the Untelling. I heard so much about what a great writer Tayari Jones was and people were really lying. The story had loose ends, the main character was supposed to be educated but came across as the opposite, the over-quoting of Dr. King, the lack of resolution at the end. Just because someone uses a bunch of big words doesn't make them a good writer. No wonder her books aren't selling. Maybe her next one will be better if she concentrates on learning how to actually tell a story that doesn't put you to sleep. Better luck next time but I won't buy another of her books.
Although, you have to like the fact that she had heard of me.
and here is another one:
Painfully Boring, March 12, 2008 By 412 Princess "Black Fiction Fanatic" (Pittsburgh, PA)This review is from: The Untelling (Hardcover)
This book was so boring and sad. The ending was a huge disappointment. I kept expecting it to get better, but it never did. I read "Leaving Atlanta" by this author I few years ago. I really enjoyed it. I had high expectations for her work. I'll have to read something else by her to decide if I really like her work now.
Again, there is a little bit of a compliment in there if you look hard enough. But okay. I'm done. I met the challenge. I'll go lie down now.
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There are 6 comments on "Dare I Take the "ONE STAR CHALLENGE?"". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by Honoree ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
No offense to your friend, but this is not a healthy way to exorcise demons. What this will do is work up a depression appetite for SIX pints of Ben and Jerry's! Thank goodness no one reads poetry (except other poets who are too polite to tell you what they really think about your work unless they like it) or I'd be in serious trouble.:-)
April 29, 2008 02:38 PM
Comment #2, by Ravi Howard
I haven't had the courage to read those reviews. Maybe this will help me work up the nerve!
April 29, 2008 06:06 PM
Comment #3, by j
i'm with Honoree here-- and i bet you are STILL lying down, perhaps on your sixth pint [and lots of potent "home remedies" come in pints, you know].
those of us with taste and discernment love every word that springs forth from your lovely pen. & even if we don't tell you that everyday, and don't write twenty reviews on Amazon to take the sting out of the hateful comments of the barely literate and those whose natural, inalienable right as Mothers protects them form words that may shake their precious sensibilities-- Your words reflect the beauty and ugliness and truth of the Universe. Yes, they are Divine and inspired.
...if you ask me, this "comment" thing has gone too f'in far. ... i will stop now, becasue i actually have stuff to do and be and read and write-- you get my drift here, right? ... Anyway, please peel yourself off the divan, close the bottle, shake it off, and pick up your pen.
April 29, 2008 06:17 PM
Comment #4, by Ladylee
Well, aren't you the glutton for punishment, Miss?
Let your haters be your motivators! 9 times out of ten, they fancy books with titles like "Mama, I'm in Love with a Gangsta".
And uh, your books are much more, uh, intellectual than that.
Don't worry yourself, Celie. You know I'm your #1 fan for life!
April 30, 2008 05:07 AM
Comment #5, by Judy
Ladylee is a gem of a friend!
April 30, 2008 01:23 PM
Comment #6, by carleen
Bernice Mcfadden is sharing rejection letters over at her blog in the spirit of showing other writers the good, bad & ugly of the biz. This is sure part of the ugly! But I gotta agree (& laugh) with Ladylee on this one some folks wouldn't know a good book if it hit them on the head. I just don't understand people who go out of their way to be so negative? Not everybody's going to like every book...why take the time to hate about it on a public website?
April 30, 2008 01:56 PM