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Quotable Quotes

March 18, 2009 I really need to start keeping a quotefile of some of the hilarious things my reviewers say in the post-review comments and other emails, if only so I can show it to my coworkers when they wonder why I'm cracking up laughing at my desk. Recent gems, equal parts unfiltered snark and dry understatement, with the serial numbers filed off:

"...it's rather pop-corny in nature, but it's good popcorn, not the kind you get six packs for a dollar in a little grocery where no one ever shops."

"I wasn't sure I'd like this, as the concept of Nazi vampires initially struck me as a bit over the top..."

"This is like Jack McDevitt doing a Mills & Boon SF novel, with extra special snowflake."

"...a long dreary tale full of unlikeable people doing pointless things..."

"So, although [author] can write breezy dialogue and some amusing observations, the sloppiness and  creative bankruptcy of this particular exercise makes it difficult to say that the book succeeds."

"[character] comes across as clueless and it is hard to be sympathetic when she misses obvious signs like the decaying body in the trunk of her husband’s car..."

"This book rates a hearty burst of silence. Apart from the 'his eyes fell to the floor plop plop' level of criticism, the bigger issue is that as of page 200 neither I nor any of the three main characters have the slightest idea what's going on or what they're meant to be doing. Or even what they *mean* to be doing. ...It would give me immense pleasure to see all of these people summarily squished by a dragon, who would then put on a pair of glasses and explain crankily that magic and reason are not mutually exclusive, thank you very much, and he will expect the author's paper on the fallacies of questionable cause and ignoring a common cause by Tuesday."

"I'm going to remain convinced that this assignment was PW's idea of hazing for the new guy."

Unrelated to books, my reviewers are amazingly dedicated:

"On the health concern front, it looks like I'll be having heart surgery before the end of the month.  But that shouldn't slow down the reviewing aspect any (in fact, it would be a welcome distraction!)."

"I was rehospitalized for internal bleeding last week--fortunately only 4 transfusions and 4 days in the hospital. Am getting caught up--since I read [title] several weeks ago I need to skim it today but I really hope to have the review emailed to you this evening. Thanks for the patience."

I'm traveling through the 25th, which means you get lots of posts full of things other people have written. Look for some more Nuts & Bolts interviews, as well as at least one round of Ask a Publicist, and whatever random links have been striking my fancy lately.

Posted by Rose Fox on March 18, 2009 | Comments (2)