Here we are again...

[reviews_and_ramblings]

... but this time, sincerely, I didn't care much and I have a reason for that. I read a book from a newbie author, Atom Heart John Beloved by Luke Hartwell. I think I was the first to review it, and since I have the referrals link report, I know people went on the Amazon website and bought the book after reading my review. I was happy of that, actually more than one people did that, and if you consider that I cannot check all link, then I think even more than those I saw bought it. Very very happy for this new author, it's always a joy to see a new attempt being successful.

And then today I received a notification from Amazon someone left a comment on the review on their website. I was happy and clicked to read the comment (I love comment)... this is it:

"Due to a complete disregard for proofing, or perhaps just bad grammatical skills, this review makes little or no sense.

Why bother posting a review if no one can understand it?" (http://www.amazon.com/review/R1QQV3WJ3XH910/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1478142928&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=)

it was a bummer. I even re-read the review to understand if it was really so bad, and sincerely, I don't think so. My first reaction was to blame myself, but then, just second away, I thought, go to hell you and your hateful comment, you are not even worth a second thought. And I posted a reply:

"Apparently you are 1 out of 5 who cannot understand this review, and btw, since I also posted this on my website, and I have the referrals links report, I also know that people bought the book AFTER reading this same review. So yes, I think my "bother" in posting this review was worth the result. And BTW how many languages do you speak? Because, obviously English is not my mother tongue, but I can write good enough to have people giving me a positive vote, while probably you don't speak and write in Italian, am I wrong?"

Comments

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Go you for telling him off. What an ass. Cause yeah, I doubt he can speak another language. I sure as hell can't, and admire anyone with multi-lingual abilities.

I find a lot of books through you, so keep on rocking ^__^

[hawk-soaring.livejournal.com]

It wasn't a bad review at all (and was the reason I bought the book!). That person is simply being a jerk because the relative anonymity of the internet gives them the power to do so.

*hugs you*

[marsabi.livejournal.com]

Try to shake it off. It is amazing to me how many people have nothing better to do with their time! They just want to make rude remarks. I love your reviews! Don't let a hater get you down!

[vorvolaka.livejournal.com]

What an idiot. I don't get people at all. To quote Thumper's mum: 'if you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.'

I sort of want to watch Bambi now...

[elena-62.livejournal.com]

Hi, Elisa!

I've read your review and there isn't a single line I don't understand. Further it is very passionate and positively different from the average review.

You shouldn't bother about what one single person said, but consider the majority of positive voices on the subject.

Ciao

Antonella

[julesjones]

Your English isn't perfect, but it's also pretty bloody obvious that this is because English isn't your first language. I think you're right about this being a targeted attack on your Top Reviewer status - that account has hallmarks that in other contexts I would read as a sock puppet account for an author who's trying to boost their author persona by slagging off other authors' books.

[semioticwarrior.livejournal.com]

Those who can, do.
Those who can do, teach.
Those who can't do anything tear down the people actually doing things.

[slavetopassion.livejournal.com]

There will always be arrogant assholes. Ugh! So glad you said something. :)

~smooches~

[kirby-crow.livejournal.com]

You're not in the wrong. Your English isn't 100% perfect all the time, but guess what? Neither is mine! <3

Amazing how some people have nothing better to do with their precious time than use it to shit on other people's work. >:(

[girlofavalon.livejournal.com]

Go you for telling that ass off!

[annabirmingham.livejournal.com]

No you are not wrong - you are completely right! Your reviews have encouraged me to buy books I wouldn't normally look at. You are the only blog I follow. Keep up the great work!!
Anna x
p.s. that person was clearly an idiot!

[quiltedlives.livejournal.com]

You go girl!!!!!

[chloris01.livejournal.com]

Pfff...I read his one and only review. It's as useless as his comment on your review...
Your answer is perfect !

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

I can't see anything wrong with your review I can understand it just fine!!

Good on you for telling them off.

*hugs*

[elizaben.livejournal.com]

Your review is perfectly understandable (perhaps because I'm not a native speaker either XD) and it's also obvious English is not your first language. If the commenter is soooo concerned about language quality, he should go after all the native speakers with bad language skills first.

I could understand someone complaining about you writing something hateful or insulting, but complaining about you taking the time to write something in a foreign language that is actually helpful (not to mention positive, thus very good for the author) makes no sense to me. Trolls will be trolls.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

It appears that the jackass started an account solely to attack you. Yeah, it looks like a troll.

Amazon has created a system that is easy to game and they don't care about keeping it honest. I don't think you have anything to worry about from random, cowardly trolls.

[hpstrangelove.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you stood up for yourself. I have struggled all my life to learn Spanish and still, no go. What's worse is the fact that everyone assumes because I have dark skin, dark hair, and live in Texas that I speak Spanish (my father is of Mexican descent, but my mother is Anglo and we did not grow up speaking Spanish in our house).

I have nothing but admiration for anyone who learns more than one language, and especially if the second language is English!

Oh - I forgot to add - I'm one of those who bought this book because of your review. I have found so many great m/m books because of you. I don't have the time to go out and search for them on my own. I'd say 90% of the m/m books I buy are because of your reviews (the other 10% are from knowing the authors personally via reading their fanfiction here on LJ).