As one of EW's book reviewers, I've written dozens of critiques, both laudatory and negative. Read the full post.
Jun 29
2009
04:20 PM ET
Alice Hoffman exacts Twitter revenge on reviewer. But why?
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Any author, even one as popular as Hoffman, should be glad that their books are being read in reviewed.
Ironically Silman’s reviewed made me want to read Story Sisters.
Also, if I were Silman I would sue Hoffman for releasing my number and email to her Twitter followers and telling them they can “tell [her] off”.
I don’t think the most relevant question is whether “[i]s it acceptable for novelists to exact revenge on their reviewers” – I think the most relevant question is whether it’s effective. Hoffman’s little rant is not likely to win her any new readers, and it is certainly going to put off some potential readers. And even if that doesn’t matter to her, it’s not going to make the reviewer reconsider her opinion. All it does is make Hoffman look petulant and impulsive.
I’m sorry, I have to disagree with Dan. As a person I believe I have every right to judge how an author should react to a review.
Positive or negative, an author does not get a free pass to act like a spoiled teenager just because they wrote a book. I hold authors to the same standard I hold everyone else, you should treat people with respect. I realize writing is an intensely personal process, and she has every right to express her opinion, but it shouldn’t be on the internet for everyone and their brother to see. That’s just childish and petty. Authors know going into the publishing world that there are people who will react negatively to their work. Just because someone’s opinion makes you unhappy does not give you a right to bash or belittle their opinion.
Just my two cents.
No class. That is what most people lack today. “Class”. Some people don’t even know what the word means.
You can’t buy class it is bred from childhood.
This critism should have been taken with a grain of salt, however the reaction means “no class”.
There is no other way to explain it.
Hoffman isn’t a writer; she’s an “author,” as is Desi Arnaz, Bill Clinton, Madonna, etc. etc.
@Andrea – I respect your opinion. I’m just saying that with all these new ways to communicate with the online communities (twitter, blogging, facebook), some authors might not be prepared for immediate public reactions as the messages are sent out tp the entire world. Hoffman has already apologized for her behavior and says she wishes she hadn’t done what she did. I think we can all take a lesson from her experience–to take a deep breath and count to ten before hitting tweet. We all get overly emotional (or at least I do), and I believe we should cut the author some slack.
This is insane. This wasn’t an author’s inability to handle a scathing review, it was an author’s inability to handle lukewarm praise! This should teach us all a lesson. Take a few long deep breaths before pushing ‘send’.
I remember doing many immature things at the heat of the moment that I regret till this day. Unfortunately for Hoffman, she chose to Tweet during that burst of anger … not exactly the smartest thing to do. Bad enough that she chose to be nasty to the reviewer … she decided to put her details out instead! Luckily for the reviewer, she got her phone number wrong but still … uncool, very uncool.
(Blogged about the fracas here: http://imaginarylands.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/alice-hoffman-gets-angry-on-tweeter/)
I’m surprised we haven’t seen this before- no more Mailer or Hunter to piss on the establishment. Us female writers are taking the reins..