Every so often, the amateurism with which I review material is pointed out. At such points I hope people remember my collegiate days were spent garnering a B.S. in Statistics, with only a mere twelve credits anywhere at all near the English Department.
I recently received an email taking me to task for an older review where I gave away way too much plot, and in their opinion, the resolution of the story. It's a problem I have, especially with the larger, multi-layered, novels I have reviewed (though there are only two cases where I can think of where I cringe at re-reading the review, knowing I gave away a bit of the story I really shouldn't have).
Another recent example though, comes from a great post by Steven J. McDermott over at Storyglossia (you have to scroll down a few entries to March 20, Of Billy Clubs and Guns). Steven was kind enough to help point out (to me even) some of the finer points of Russell Rowland's story, Ed Got a Job, and just why I had liked it. My own review of the story had me uttering the following genius line:
" ... this story is brilliant for reasons I cannot describe."
Please wander over to the link to Storyglossia for a real reading of Russell's wonderful story.
Side note - the new issue (number 12) of Storyglossia is also posted now and well worth a peek with some great work by Corey Mesler and Donovan Hall amongst others. Steven picks stories to publish as well as he dissect them in the Storyglossia blog.
Dan, I think saying "...this story is brilliant for reasons I cannot describe" is refreshingly honest. For once, a reviewer admits that he doesn't know everything.
Posted by: Pete | March 27, 2006 at 11:07 AM