Comments on: Do you disclaim?

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:41:18 +0000

After thinking about this for a while, I decided to discuss it further and issue a summer reading challenge based on it (see the linkback here). Thanks for the inspiration, Nicole! .-= Jeanne´s last blog ..The House Was Quiet and the World Was Calm =-.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:54:54 +0000

I think that if the review is detailed enough, with a quotation or two, your readers will get the idea and you won’t need a disclaimer.

I’m disturbed by what my friend Amy says about warning her readers about books that mock Christianity, because although I’m pretty sure she doesn’t do it for this reason, that sort of thing can lead to a very narrow-minded readership. Our country is getting fragmented enough without people trying to read only the books that they already agree with. I’d like to see Christians read a few more books that challenge some of their beliefs.
.-= Jeanne´s last blog ..The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society =-.

By: Kara

Kara — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:48:28 +0000

I usually don’t disclaim – because my thoughts about the book I’ve read pretty much includes what the books is about. I usually mention if there is rape or other graphic violence because I know that some of my readers don’t like those themes. The only type of book that I have a hard time reading are books that deal with abuse of children or elderly.

I don’t know about rating the book – I think that is all subjective and depends on the person reading it. What would be graphic sex to some – wouldn’t bother others. And I would hate to miss out on a good book (one that I thought would be okay to read) based on someone else’s rating.

By: jenclair

jenclair — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:02:35 +0000

Funny, but some situations will bother me and others will not. If something about a book really annoys me (and gratuitous, graphic sex and/or violence do annoy me), I will mention it. In the same way that shallow characters or poor plotting distract me and lead my inner-critic to voice opinions as I read, so do the elements of sex and violence if they become the purpose of the book. My reviews are not literary criticism, just my thoughts about my reading. I will say that I read from 120-140 books a year on average and mention those elements in only one or two books a year. I'm not necessarily warning other people, but expressing my thoughts. .-= jenclair´s last blog ..Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit =-.

By: Bookish links for Saturday, June 20, 2009 | BOOKS AND MOVIES

Bookish links for Saturday, June 20, 2009 | BOOKS AND MOVIES — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:10:55 +0000

[...] ~ Nicole at Linus’s Blanket asks: Do you disclaim? [...]

By: Jennygirl

Jennygirl — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:17:07 +0000

I have thought about some disclaimers, but then I thought I would have to disclaim everything. Where do you draw the line? I’m not a prude or have a weak stomach or anything, but I guess there are some sexual scenes whihc could be disclaimed. I’m still not sure about that though.
I do make sure I post the summary about the book, or the book flap at least, to let readers know what’s in the book. AAlso any strong reactions I may have are usually mentioned in my reviews.
Excellent question!
.-= Jennygirl´s last blog ..TBR Challenge 2009 =-.

By: Caspette

Caspette — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:35:28 +0000

I only disclaim if there is something really note worthy. While I agree that my friends who read my blog understand me and would not be offended I am conscious that this is a public forum and any one could read it and be offended. .-= Caspette´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday : 16 June 09 =-.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:03:51 +0000

Like you I tend not to disclaim at all unless there is something excessive or really noteworthy to be focused on. I think my readers will get an idea about themes and content through my description/summary of the book so specifically stating “don’t go here because….” isn’t necessary. Having said that, I think the one disclaimer I’ve put into a review was recently with The Hunger Games. I wrote in my summary of the violence related to children as I felt if I were a parent researching info about this book in an attempt to decide whether it was a viable read for my youngster I’d want to know.

Outside of the children issue I think the fact that we are all adults and can, in most cases, decide when to put a book down if it’s content is clearly going beyond out capacity to enjoy, I leave it up to the reader. What I find excessively or gratitously violent/sexual another person may not.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – June 14 =-.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:19:05 +0000

Disclaimers, ratings, etc are usually hard for me because I think so much is personal and it can be easy to edit out the merits of something if you focus on the one thing you couldn’t get past, and easy to make blanket statements about the age where something can be handled. I think that people just want ways to sum things up and know what it’s about. It’s annoying but I know that I am definitely guilty of it in other areas.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:02:05 +0000

I have definitely had moment where I read reviews that mention sex and bad language and having to think if I remembered that. If a thing like bad language part of who the character is, it becomes background noise and I filter it out.