Your book...
Some of the details on this are changed, because the person whom it concerns may be a b3tan - and I know that he/ she/ it is known to at least one regular.

I have a number of friends and aquaintances who've had a go at writing books. P was one such. He was someone I've known for quite a while, but with whom I'd lost contact recently. Through the grapevine, though, I heard that he'd published a novel. I bought a copy and settled down to read it: knowing the guy, my hopes were high.

To say I was disappointed would be to put it mildly. There was a couple of interesting themes trying to get out, but the bulk of the thing was flat, turgid awfulness. Nevertheless, I don't like leaving books unfinished, so waded through it. It got no better.

Quite by chance, a little after reading it, I bumped into P's wife. We got chatting, and she mentioned the book. I said I'd read it. That was a mistake.
"Oh, really?" she asked. "What did you think?"
There was a number of things I could have said. I could have lied outright and said that I'd enjoyed it. But I don't like lying. I could have told the truth: "It's rubbish. P's talent is infinite - it has no beginning." But that would have been worse.
Instead, I opted for the middle ground. I remembered that there'd been a couple of interesting themes which, better handled, could have made an interesting novel.
"I was fascinated by the character of [whomever it was]. And the question of [whatever it was] is something about which I've been wondering, too."
And then, in a stroke of what I thought was genius, I added, "I'm going to be fascinated to see how P develops as a writer." I suppressed the urge to add "because he's not much cop at the moment."

Overall, I think I did quite well: I gave the impression of engagement and encouragement of a new talent. The book had clearly made enough of an impact to be memorable. P's wife would be impressed and tell him the glad tidings.

Wouldn't she?

She looked at me for a moment. "You really thought that? I thought it was terrible."
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 10:59, 13 replies)

Pfft!
You're getting a click for that one, Mr!

...and I liked your post last night too, I'm just on my way to go and click it now.

How the devil are you, oh lady-haired one? ;)
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:01, closed)

You have no need to reproach yourself
You were honest and you were kind.

You didn't say it was crap and you didn't say it was wonderful...you picked out the positives.

Clearly you are well versed in the art of giving positive feedback....it's teaching that does it to you.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:03, closed)

Lady-haired?
Ummm...

Yeah. I'm good. I overslept. That's ace.

What about you?
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:03, closed)

Sorry, I wasn't being mean
You know I want to bum you really.

I under-slept, but I'm good thanks.

Hiya chickenlady!
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:06, closed)

I know what you mean
about leaving books unfinished. I've ploughed through some pretty awful ones, but the thought of leaving it not done keeps me going.

I'd have to have bitten my tongue though if it was really that awful.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:06, closed)

The only book
I can think of that I haven't finished was "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintanence" I don't care how may people on this site think it's great, I thought it was pants. sorry.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:14, closed)

Hello Bertie!
My bloody editor faked her need for my article last week...I picked up the publication at the newsagents this morning only to find I'm due in next week's edition! She told me she was desperate! I can see now it was a cunning ruse to get around my procrastination and general laziness.

It worked too.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:15, closed)

@al
You should try reading a Tess Gerritsen novel then. Christ, it's like Eastenders with gore. What a load of shite, and a waste of a good few hours that was.

@chickenlady your editor is a clever lady indeed, but at least now you won't have to do one again for a while. Procrastination FTW!
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:16, closed)

Well done you.
It's always hard to give your honest opinion on friends work whether it be books, art work etc, unless it's brilliant and then it's ok obviously.

I've had to give my opinion on friends art work and wax lyrical about their use of light and shade and blah blah blah while thinking what a pile of poo. The thing is, I'd really hate for someone to lie to me about my work so why do I do it to others.

Did you not own up after the wife had expressed her dislike of the book?

Yup! I hate to not finish a book also. I've only done it once and I can't remember the title.
( girlinthehole, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:16, closed)

@BGB
Actually, I didn't. I could have, I suppose... but, naah. That'd've made me look either meretricious, or duplicitous in my initially favourable response. Neither is good. As it is, I was simply creative with the truth.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:18, closed)

I remember not being able to fake it
An old girlfriend of mine at University asked me to read the first chapter of her novel, based on Guy of Gisborne (a friend of Robin Hood or something). Now, I'm not that into historical stuff, but I was unable to disguise my opinion because when she returned an hour later, I was asleep with it open on Page 2. Things went downhill after that.
( Amish Information Systems hates misplaced, commas, Fri 11 Jul 2008, 11:29, closed)

Heh.
I hope that isn't the reaction my book inspires in the poster who's reading it now...

Good that you were kindly and encouraging, though. It takes much more effort to do that than to simply say "It was a pile of old wank."
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 11 Jul 2008, 13:19, closed)

Why don't I have your sensitivity?

On asked my opinion, I would've just pointed to my armpit.

oh, and *clicks*
( Pooflake braces for an onslaught..., Fri 11 Jul 2008, 14:13, closed)