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reviews_and_ramblings ([personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2009-09-03 11:59 pm

Amazon gives me advice how to review

I sent an enquiry to Amazon wondering why some reviews were not posted. I was replied that there were some forbidden words (as usual, hand job, blow job), and that I was welcomed to post them again without them. But they also give me an advice more... directly from their words:

"Also, please make sure you are providing your opinion on whether the items you are review are good or bad and the reasons why. It appears that the majority of your reviews are just the descriptions of the plots of the books."

Strange, I was very well certain to do exactly the opposite. If I retell part of the story, it's only to point out some side of the characters... but well, they probably know more than me, don't they?

A very pissed off Elisa, who is really wondered why she bothers to post reviews on Amazon (I know why, I do that to promote the books, Amazon is till the main online booksellers, but still...)

[identity profile] beki-manga.livejournal.com 2009-09-06 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
I have to say I think your method of reviewing books is legitimate. I had to get used to it at first; it is more common to be judgmental. You try to find the good in everything you read. There is a phrase—"damning with faint praise"—sometimes I can tell that's what you're doing. That is, people who follow your reviews can tell what you like best. But, as you say, you are commenting based on your own personal preferences and not acting as a critic. By doing this, you are creating a community of readers and authors who follow your journal. You are promoting the genre. In the big picture, this is more valuable than assigning something a certain number of stars.

I'm enjoying your vacation photos and I hope you're having a good time.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-09-06 10:38 am (UTC)(link)
> There is a phrase—"damning with faint praise"—sometimes I can tell that's what you're doing

LOL, probably yes. I try to be more gentle than harsh, but sometime I have to say things.

> But, as you say, you are commenting based on your own personal preferences and not acting as a critic

Yes, I hate critics and I wouldn't want to be one of them. I probably avoided to be a teacher since I thought impossible for me to give a result on a test ;-)

Elisa