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Wow.... I don't know what to say... A MAGIC OF TWILIGHT has a review up by Harriet Klausner. That's not unusual: Ms. Klausner reviews hundreds of books every year, so many that she probably needs an oxygen mask to reach the top of her "To Read" pile as her floor joists creak under the weight.
No, not having a review by Harriet Klausner would be surprising. But... it's only four stars! And she also has something negative to say about the book, too: "Although the use of native vernacular makes the novel real seem real, this reviewer has always found it a distraction when overused (except in A Clockwork Orange) as is the case here." She does later call it a "superb opening tale," though, despite her reservations.
I can't say I've ever seen a Klausner review that wasn't five stars -- though I'll admit I don't generally go looking for reviews of other people's books all that often. I stand prepared to be corrected (and I'm sure someone out there will be happy to do just that). But hey, good for Ms. Klausner , whether this is a first or just part of a new trend, I'm pleased that she's saying what she thinks!
No, not having a review by Harriet Klausner would be surprising. But... it's only four stars! And she also has something negative to say about the book, too: "Although the use of native vernacular makes the novel real seem real, this reviewer has always found it a distraction when overused (except in A Clockwork Orange) as is the case here." She does later call it a "superb opening tale," though, despite her reservations.
I can't say I've ever seen a Klausner review that wasn't five stars -- though I'll admit I don't generally go looking for reviews of other people's books all that often. I stand prepared to be corrected (and I'm sure someone out there will be happy to do just that). But hey, good for Ms. Klausner , whether this is a first or just part of a new trend, I'm pleased that she's saying what she thinks!
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Sometimes, a not-as-gushing review is more attractive.
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*confused*
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In this article (http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110006483) Klausner is quoted as saying, "If a book doesn't hold my interest by page 50 I'll stop reading, which is one of the reasons I give a lot of good ratings. And why review a book to give it a low rating or to tear it apart? Nothing in that."
I dimly recall us talking about Klausner's reviews before, Steve. My take on her is that her speed-reading results in poor comprehension and/or poor retention, and also that she doesn't understand how to write a good review, since her reviews are usually little more than capsule summaries of the story. Of course, she's not alone there, since writing good reviews is hard (I've been doing it for years and still don't think I'm much good at it).
But regardess of the why of it, I've never read a review by her that I found useful.