Hello, awesome people! I'm here with a discussion blog and some late night thoughts that I wanted to get out of my mind sooner than later. I'd like to talk to you about an issue that I've been seeing more and more often, and it makes me ponder every single time. Thank you for reading my rants, guys.
Well, here are my questions for all of you.
How do you feel when authors receive hate and overly negative criticism for one, or multiple, of their books?
Alternatively, does such a negative news affect the way you look at those authors' books from that point forward? Does it affect your reading experience and your own reviews and opinions?
Well, I'd like to talk a bit about my personal experience with two very famous authors: Cassandra Clare and Sarah J. Maas. A disclaimer here that I've never met either of them and what I describe is only via the Internet. Also, I don't hate either of these authors. I just wanted to tell you what I experienced when I saw negative criticism for their books. Thanks for understanding.
Beginning with Cassandra Clare, Miranda has ed an absolutely phenomenal blog on why she'll never read Cassandra Clare's books. I advise all of you to read it before answering the questions of my blog, because it'll definitely make you mentally wander. When I originally read the six books in the "Mortal Instruments" series, I it I liked them. They weren't literary masterpieces by any means, but they weren't total trash either. However, after searching for some analyses on her books online, I found out about the plagiarism and stolen content. I was appalled. I haven't picked up any of her books ever since. Sorry, I guess.
Now, let's briefly move on to Sarah J. Maas. I like her books, don't misjudge me on this one. She's got writing talent, I'm not going to lie. But the reason I'm mentioning her here is something completely different to my experience with Cassandra Clare. Well, Maas has received negative criticism for her books for these reasons (among others, of course): lack of diversity in her characters' appearances and sex scenes that could "mark" her books as adult content instead of a series aimed to young adults or even teenagers.
I tend to agree with these accusations and I find the former more important and crucial than the latter. Yes, her sex scenes are a bit cringe worthy and there are only so many times that you can use the word "mate" before feeling as if you want to throw up. But, come on, lack of diversity? It's the 21st century, Maas, I'm certain you can do better than that. Also, there was bisexual bait content in "A Court of Wings and Ruin" and I cannot even begin to express how disrespectful to the bisexual community this action was. Please, no.
So, answering my questions above, I'm definitely affected by negative criticism and hate pointed at an author. I really want to respect and ire their writing efforts and the cross they surely had to carry during the publishing process. But, even though it pains me to say it, plagiarism and LGBTQA+ bait content make me mad. It's not okay when you steal content and it's also not okay when you haven't thought of diversity even in a fantastical setting. I don't think I ask for too much.
Let me know your opinions, pals! Thank you!
That is all with this blog! Thank you so much for your time. Please, please, please leave an honest answer in the comments down below. Stay polite and respectful, we've got enough wars in real life, so we definitely don't need one more here. Keep being amazing! I adore you and your blogs so much! Never allow anyone to steal your stardust.
Happy reading and writing! :book: :book: :book:
Comments (37)
It really depends on if I’ve already read the author or not. If I haven’t read them and had one of their books on my tbr, I’ll take it off if I hear controversial things about the author. If I’ve read and liked their work, I’m more likely to forgive and forget. :confused:
Reply to: Eden
Ah, I see. Yes, that's quite understandable, hon. 🤔
I have never read Clare or Maas’s books. They are really popular though, I’ll it.
It can be quite sad to have an author receive a large amount of hate, because I think of how they feel. No one deserves hate! What some authors need is constructive criticism.
I absolutely agree! No matter how much we dislike a book or series for one reason or another, an author never deserves hate, because we all make mistakes. Thanks so much for the comment! :relaxed:
My motto in life is "give me the receipts!"
This is applicable to books and "hate." I love to read hate and I love to read praise, as long as both are backed up by FACTS from the actual piece of literature.
Reply to: Panic!Fallout :blue_heart:
Hahaha, with you on this one, girl!!! :joy: :kissing_heart: :heart:
I honestly never heard of these two people, until watching some videos on YouTube. The big one was by The Authentic Observer, when she made a series about how bad the Shadowhunter series was.
I think it's kind of important to have people who hate on books, because they're honest about the author, and the writing, unlike people who just say 'I wont spoil anything so you can read it, therefore you'll never find the bad stuff until then!' Like you know...people who read Colleen Hoover and like her. Most of the negative reviews I've read include quotes and examples and situations in the book, and it strengthens their argument.
Reply to: Boss of Runes
Yes, I agree with you on that one. It's important to have diverse and different opinions in reviews for any genre because that's how flaws and "holes" in the books can be uncovered. Thanks so much for the comment!
Reply to: Antonia •Always Books•
Np!
Tbvh, I’ve noticed that there will always be issues with negativity and controversy when it comes to the creative arts. And I’m not talking about just today’s world, but also the culture and controversies during Jane Austen’s era.
My teacher said it in ing, but she mentioned how George Elliot had to hide behind a pseudonym just so that she could be safe, where as Jane Austen never had the need to do so as her novel reinforced the norms of her time. I noticed she didn’t approve of Jane Austen because of this, how her books reinforced apparent “harmful” thought processes. Now, this is her opinion and she has a right to it, but do you see how the same opinion can be seen in negative reviews of today’s books?
Negative reviews may either made through sheer malice, or because of actual problems in the book. If it’s a negative review that goes the extra mile to prove their point by using examples from the book, it’s hard to deny their credibility. Such reviews are crucial to an author’s growth because they portray a different perspective, one that is backed by from the book. It points to flaws that the author may have overlooked, and the author should at least try to mend their mistakes. Whether it’s glorifying abuse in relationships (Coleen Hoover’s Ugly Love) or the lack of diversity in many books, acknowledging that such things happen can help in “improving” post-modern literature.
At the same time, they have all the right not to. Why? Free-will and shit. But that doesn’t mean it will stop others from pointing out the negatives.
Negative reviews will always be a thing, so an author needs to develop thick skin and skim through the baseless hate and find those that actually point out flaws of the book. You can’t please everyone, so might as well try to mend the very obvious negatives (Looking at you, Coleen.)
Sorry if I rambled but I hope I was able to make sense. ^^”
Reply to: Antonia •Always Books•
A discussion on abuse in books would be awesome, because I never really get why young girls are so infatuated with such books. Gosh, I sound old (even though I’m totally not).
Thank you for making this post though! It isn’t talked about enough, and it seriously needs to be.
Had the same discussion in class today regarding the Harlem Renaissance and Zora Neale Hurston! I agree with your ramble, lol.
Reply to: Leia Vallerie
You're very welcome! I enjoyed chatting with you! :heart: