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| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 2/19/2008 10:19 PM | | Paul Weiss recently reviewed Alpha Rising, and I was a little puzzled by the one-star rating. He raved about nearly every aspect of the book, but then gives the book one star because he doesn't agree with the author's politics.
I mean, I wonder what Mr. Weiss would have given Starship Troopers which was really awesome, but whose politics have been compared to Fascism.
Personally, I agree with Mr. Weiss, in that I don't put much weight in the author's politics either, but I'm not sure that should be reflected in the review. What do you guys think?
Jordan Lapp Managing Editor
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| Posted By : Bill Ward - 2/20/2008 12:14 AM | As I read the review it seems more like he's giving it one star not because he disliked the message, but because (as he says) the story is only about the message and is merely a rehashing of a biblical narrative.
Having not read it I can't support that, but I'm also very turned off when a book is too overtly tied to the 'lesson' it's trying to impart, whether I agree with it or not. Starship Troopers is just the opposite--its a good story first and foremost, with a lot of politics and philosophy thrown in--you might not like the politics, but you can't make the argument that that's all there is to the story. When an author doesn't allow room for a reader to engage the story on their own terms then there is a problem.
And fix that typo in your backwards name, Jrodan!
billwardwriter.com |
| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 2/20/2008 12:33 AM | ROFLMAOSTC!!!! Some editor!!!! Fixing the typo....
I'd argue with you about Troopers, it sure seems like Heinlein's pushing his agenda.
And hey, the Bible is a pretty good story! But I guess the author could lose points for a lack of originality.
Jordan Lapp
Managing Editor
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| Posted By : Bill Ward - 2/20/2008 1:04 AM | Sure, Heinlein has an agenda, but he doesn't let it take over the story. I've read lots of author's whose agendas or philosophy I disagree with but who stay true to the mission of telling a story, and I've read some whom I agree with that have failed in their task as a storyteller by letting the message outweigh the narrative--and I'm better pleased by the former.
Now, not having read the book that is subject of the review, I really can't say with any certainty if the one star is really about the message itself, or the breakdown of the story--as I read the review though it seems mostly about the later.
billwardwriter.com |
| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 2/20/2008 1:13 AM | Well, I think devoting a couple of longish chapters qualifies as "taking over the story". But I concede the point.
Terry Goodknd's books got so bad for pushing agendas that I stopped reading them. I might give them a "one" for that reason.
Jordan Lapp
Managing Editor
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| Posted By : G.L. Douglas - 2/22/2008 11:34 AM | | Hi, Jordan and Bill, I'm G.L. Douglas, the author of Alpha Rising, and I just happened to find your interesting discussion. This is my first novel, and I truly welcome constructive criticism in order to turn out even more intriguing stories in the future. Alpha Rising has received great reviews from Writers' Digest and DIY Convention in Hollywood--the first competitions I've entered thus far, and also received a positive review from Midwest Book Review. If interested, you can read these and others on my website: http://www.alpharising.net
Jordan: Thank you for your supportive comments. I was totally confused by Mr. Weiss's lengthy diatribe on Alpha Rising. While he seemed to really enjoy the story, many of his comments reflect nothing in the story line, and I'm at a loss as to why he chose to write things that are not valid.
For some reason, Weiss interprets dialog written for my characters as my personal viewpoints/agenda. I do have to wonder if he interjects that type of thinking when reading books with protagonist murderers, porn stars, rapists. I would hope that Weiss would not chastise the author and feel that his/her characters' dialog/viewpoints were a personal reflection on the author.
Alpha Rising draws on scriptural allegory, as do the works of many sci-fi/fiction/fantasy writers. The story is not religion specific. A divine being or guide, The Creator, is painted with a broad brushstroke to encompass all religions and is subject to individual interpretation. Symbolism within the story incorporates a variety of thoughts. The positive, feel good conclusion has been hailed by some as one of the best in a long time.
The innovative scientific details in Alpha Rising were verified and expanded upon by NASA personnel, and I also received help from an awesome grad student from Florida Tech's Department of Space Sciences who explained to me the formation and events surrounding Black Holes.
I earnesty hope Mr. Weiss will soon tire of attacking my life's work and move on. Or, at least make more constructive comments that accurately reflect the story content.
Bill: I do hope you'll take a chance and read Alpha Rising. This refreshing, light-hearted work should be read with a child's imagination and an adult's conscience. It's reality-based fiction that could really happen. It is not "hard" sci-fi, and I had hoped to market it as Action/Adventure, but was overruled by those interpreting publishing guidelines.
Best regards and good wishes for a great '08!
G.L. Douglas
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| Posted By : UnclePete - 2/22/2008 5:56 PM | Welcome to the board, G.L., and thanks for your note.
As we've been discussing in other places on the forum, stars and rating systems are pretty subjective, as are reviews themselves to a degree. Contrary to your comments though, I didn't see Mr Weiss' review as attacking your life's work. He was quite complimentary on your ability to write and weave a story, even your research, and was disappointed in the end result -- and whether or not your politics are coming through is, I suppose open to interpretation, but has been received by one reviewer in that way -- so much so that a book he obviously wanted to enjoy seemed marred by this.
But, as I said, these kinds of comments are subjective -- you chose to interpret his review as an attack, Jordan's puzzlement over the review and stars as support. I myself wouldn't have interpreted either of their notes that way, but then this is part of the reason these forums are so successful -- we all agree on some things (love for a good story) and disagree on others (what makes a good story).
I'm hoping that your note here isn't a one time visit to respond to a negative review, but past experience tells me not to hope too much for that. I hope you'll stick around and prove my experience wrong.
____________
"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." --Thomas Jefferson
www.creativeguypublishing.com |
| Posted By : G.L. Douglas - 2/22/2008 6:37 PM | |
Hi, Uncle Pete, thanks for your nice note and encouragment to stick around and post. I find being in the company of the "Weasel Overlord," the multi-dimensional "ppaL nadroJ," and a "Biblioholic" irresistible, so if you have room for an Arkrider with a positive, gentle outlook and wacky sense of humor, I'll gladly join in. I do enjoy engaging in a good point/counterpoint discussion. But it looks like I have some reading/catching up to do first.
For the time being, my visits may be sporadic, as I'm stressed to the max, trying to wear many hats while making decisions and acting on behalf of my mom who just suffered a stroke and two subsequent seizures. Most of my waking hours are spent between the life care center, running errands, back home again to take care of an ailing 17-year-old cat, and back again. I surf the 'net as a brief respite (sometimes, however, such as today, it has the opposite effect). I'm a little cranky!
For the record, Mr. Weiss and I have discussed this on the Amazon site where he at least gave me two stars. Perhaps that detailed discussion has reduced my star rating.  Thanks for your words of wisdom, UnclePete.
G.L.
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. |
| Posted By : UnclePete - 2/23/2008 1:18 AM | hmmmm, well and as I said in another post, that may be my fault too -- we have a 5 star system that when I post reviews, i have to put in 1-10 stars. When Paul sent me the review, he said 2 stars and I just naturally cut it in half per my usual -- he may not have checked it since I posted it, for whatever reason.
we'll assume he meant 2/5 and I'll change it, for what that's worth -- if there was a misinterpretation on that side, you can blame it on me.
____________
"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." --Thomas Jefferson
www.creativeguypublishing.com |
| Posted By : G.L. Douglas - 2/25/2008 12:05 AM | Yay! Thanks UnclePete for adding the second star. I take back everything I said about Mr. Weiss (well...maybe not everything). 
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. |
| Posted By : G.L. Douglas - 2/27/2008 2:53 PM |
crystalwizard said...I have to say this. G.L, please don't take this wrong, but after reading all the previous posts, I then spotted your tag line and about fell over laughing. Too perfect a signature line after the preceding discussion.
Ha, crystalwizard, now that's funny! 
Would never have thought about it that way. The quote is from an old poem between an astronomer and his pupil. "The Old Astronomer." But it definitely gives new meaning to "stars."
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. |
| Posted By : Swashbuckler - 3/1/2008 1:30 AM | I've had one or two readers spout the "agenda" thing, too, although it was concerning an as-yet unpublished science fiction story. The critique group members basically started railing at me for glorifying nihilism, because characters in that story were nihilistic. Sheeesh.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Fiction writers make stuff up. Fiction writers who don't make stuff up are not very good at their jobs.
Steve Goble
Visit my blog, Swords Against Boredom, for news on published fiction and upcoming stories. |
| Posted By : G.L. Douglas - 3/3/2008 12:29 AM | Hi, Steve, your post is great. It's not easy to come up with unique story lines and when we do, some just don't get it!
I love your comment: "Fiction writers make stuff up. Fiction writers who don't make stuff up are not very good at their jobs."
My "reviewer" Mr. Weiss has taken it a step farther by assigning my characters' dialog as my personal thoughts/comments. Good grief!!! He doesn't seem to understand that half the fun of being a writer is stepping into our characters' heads and fleshing out how they would think, react and speak.
I had to laugh when J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter first came out and the over-eager "agenda assigning" critics said it was anti-Christian and promoted witchcraft. While I didn't care to read Harry Potter, I saw her story line as fun and imaginative.
I have often said that everyone would enjoy my story, but some would "get it" while others would not...and those others would never know what they didn't "get." I'm betting yours will be the same, and I do wish you luck in your efforts.
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. |
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