How to Write a "Very Helpful" Book Review
Mar 01 '01
The Bottom Line Don't dash off a review in the heat of passion. Take some time and put plenty of thought and planning into your work. Your ratings will show the difference.
Ohmigod, this is just about the best book I’ve ever read. It is so suspenseful! I really, really love this book. You should read this book, because you will really like it.
Have you ever read a book review like this? Have you ever written a book review like this? Don’t be embarrassed if you have. During my early days at Epinions, I wrote more than one book review that was almost this bad, and probably a few that were even worse.
It’s easy to rush out a few gushing lines after reading an excellent (or horrible) book. But the end result won’t get you good ratings, nor will it help people decide whether or not they want to read the book in question.
An effective book review takes time, an impassioned heart, a cool head, and a keen inner editor. It combines factual information and personal opinion in a way that keeps readers involved with your work from your opening sentence to your final recommendation. And no, it’s not as difficult to write as it sounds.
During my year-plus-change at Epinions, I’ve stumbled upon several techniques that have made my reviews stronger. Although each person must find his or her own writing style, I offer these suggestions as food for thought. They are the things I wish someone had pulled me aside and told me when I started writing reviews.
1. Read the book. This should go without saying, but I’ve seen many reviews that start out, “Well, I didn’t finish this book because it was so bad,” or “I read the first chapter, and it was great, so the rest of the book must be great, too,” or, worst of all, “I’ve never read this book, but I’ve heard about it.” You can’t write a fair, much less effective, book review unless you have read the book in question. All of it.
2. Keep your review focused on the book. Again, this should go without saying, but I have read, and probably written, a few reviews that are filled with personal experience but scarcely acknowledge the book in question. It’s fine if you want to share some favorite (or not-so-favorite) memories of reading the book, or if you want to recall the effect of the book on some aspect of your life, but remember, the book, not you, should take center stage in your review.
3. Give a brief description of the plot. Several talented and well-respected members of the Epinions community would argue with me about this piece of advice, and you will have to decide for yourself whether or not you want to discuss plot in your reviews. My own belief is that the function of the review is to help people make reading decisions, and the majority of readers won’t seek out a book unless they have at least a vague idea of what they can expect to find in its pages.
That said, you certainly don’t have to detail every twist and turn of the plot. In fact, it’s better if you don’t, but do give your readers a hint of what the book is about and who the characters are. I tend to offer at least a couple of paragraphs—sometimes much more--about the plot in my own reviews, but a sentence or two is also fine: “Betsy is a pampered little girl sent to live on a farm with her rough-and-tumble cousins,” or “This book describes Captain Kirk’s first mission on the Enterprise.”
Do note that it’s generally poor form to give away the ending of the book. If you feel you must reveal an ending, or an important plot “secret,” to adequately review the book, give clear notice that you’ve included a “spoiler.” For instance: Warning, spoiler ahead. If you don’t want to learn the ending, please skip to the next section. Your readers will appreciate it.
4. Explain what you liked and what you did not like about the book. Be specific. This is the part of the review that takes the most thought and gives people the most trouble. Most of us know whether we do or do not like something. Explaining why, however, can be a challenge. This analysis of likes and dislikes is the very essence of an effective review, but many writers grow timid and settle for sweeping statements and generalities. (I.e., “This book sucked.”)
When you find yourself wanting to make a global statement like this, force yourself to slow down and be specific. What about the book sucked? Were the characters clichéd? If so, how? Did the plot lack suspense? If so, where did it lose your interest? The more detail you can give to support your sentiments, the better.
Consider the two statements:
“The characters are boring.”
and
“All the characters in this book are stereotypes of the rich and privileged. Although the author tries to involve us in their day-to-day dramas, the truth is they face no crisis more challenging than deciding which outfit to wear to the next banquet.”
Which gives you a better sense of the book?
A rule to keep in mind: When you read back over your review (you do proofread, don’t you?), look for words like “good,” “bad,” “wonderful,” “horrible,” “suspenseful,” and “boring.” These words and words like them should not stand on their own. They need specific information and examples to back them up.
5. Keep an eye on grammar and spelling. Grammar and spelling don’t have to be perfect. Most readers are willing to overlook a few mistakes in an otherwise compelling review. Multiple errors, however, can make your review difficult to understand, and they are almost guaranteed to lower your ratings. Use the Epinions spell checker, and proofread at least once before you submit your article.
6. Avoid glaring errors. Don’t get the author’s name or the title of the book wrong, don’t confuse characters from two different works by the same (or different) authors, don’t misstate major plot elements, etc.
7. If possible, add some “tidbits.” Do you know something interesting about the book? Is it the last book the author wrote before disappearing into the Bermuda Triangle? Did a publishing company back out of its contract with the author because they thought the book was too gruesome? Is there a sequel in the offing? Has this author written other books the reader might enjoy? These extra little bits of information are not absolutely necessary to writing an effective review, but they can add some spice to your work. Just make sure you verify your facts.
You may also want to warn readers of potentially offensive elements (the standard three are sex, profanity, and violence) and assess how suitable the book is for children.
This is my own quirk, but I usually also throw in a paragraph about the author’s style of writing, and I may offer a brief quote from the book if I can find one that exemplifies the author’s voice.
Conclusion
A good book review isn’t something you can bang out in five minutes. But if you are willing to take some time with and put some thought into the work, your ratings and page hits will reflect your effort.
And maybe, even more importantly to anyone who loves the written word, your review will steer someone to a good book they might otherwise have missed. What better reason to write book reviews than that?
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Epinions.com ID:
solleks
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Member: Debra Stang
Reviews written: 124
Trusted by: 93 members
About Me:
Medical social worker, freelance writer, proud member of the lesbian community.
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