Hate Mail: Thank You For Reading

by Michelle Robertson

At times illuminating, haunting and downright funny, Hate Mail: Thank You for Reading unveils the experiences of female journalists in the US by transforming one journalist's reader emails—or hate mail—into poems. The pieces in this collection ask you to think about the state of journalism in the US, the role of female reporters, and the enduring culture of online hate.

Genres: Poetry

66 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2022

Reviews

[Raghav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m perplexed about rating Hate Mail, a short collection of poems that is quite unique.

On the one hand, it gives an almost amusing insight into a significant part of a journalist’s career. That part is receiving feedback, comments, or hate mail. While there is no way for me to compare, I can still somewhat understand how this hate mail differs in the case of female journalists as compared to their male counterparts. However, being pretty active on social media, it does not come as a shock that people have so much time to send such kind of hate mail under the disguise of sharing their opinions.

At the same time, the poems often confused me, mainly because I couldn’t understand the context of the mails in the first place. Everything would have made more sense if there were a way to connect the poems/mails to the original articles. It also didn’t help that I am sitting halfway across the world, and thus, I might not know everything about everything going on in the US.

As I write this, I have decided to go ahead with four stars for the book, mostly because the idea behind the poems is novel. But also because the book acts as a mirror to our society which is increasingly getting impatient and indecent.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cavak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly topical and addicting to read. Like reading the worst comments on social media. Compact and hard-hitting.

By themselves, they emulate the words of the worst, spiteful trolls. As a collection, the poems are saddled with poignant commentary about respect (for an individual and their profession), sexism, and sincerity. Coming to the question that lingers: why did such acrid text become socially "normal?" "Oh, you're not gonna please everyone." When did hurtful words wear the mask of criticism?

Easy to read and fast. Light on imagery. Poetry that stayed with me after reading. Quite enjoyed it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

It looks like a book, it costs like a book, but I don’t consider this a book. Robertson’s compilation of responses to the articles she wrote as a reporter for a news site from California have been shaped into verse form, but like the emperor’s clothes, there’s nothing there. “Response to Article: How you know you’re done with San Francisco/Whoever wrote this isn’t an adult or a local . . . /Go home now!” “What . . . Fake news at its very best./Anyone that believes//This article is reality/is either really HIGH//Or just plane stupid./And stupid is harder to fix.” Etc. I read it all in one bubble bath, then fell asleep. Not a book.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate Mail: Thank You For Reading by Michelle Robertson gives an unfiltered glimpse into the daily reality of a female journalist. While reading these emails, I couldn't help but wonder if some level of context might have been beneficial, although most are pure gold in their own right and stand up well on their own. If you love scrolling through the negative, vitriolic comments on your social media feed, this original collection will surely hit the spot.

Many thanks to Michelle Robertson and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC to read and review.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophisticated and conceptual are the frameworks of this piece of literature. Robertson gives a unique perspective of the world of journalism and presents a world where paradox and the veil of the internet are torn down. This book is highly intelligent, witty, thoughtful, and tows the line of literature/art. If you find yourself unable to enjoy this book, you probably have terrible grammar like that dummy Sue who wrote a 1 star review.

[Ally Easter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny, periodically extremely heartfelt. This is such an interesting little window into the lives and minds of an extremely diverse group of people who are united only in that they live in the same area and that they are compelled to write in to their local news publication. “Gordon” made me genuinely laugh out loud. Highly recommend!!!

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it risky to write a review of a book solely comprised of “hate mail” or reader “feedback”? Probably. But I enjoyed this very small volume of poetry, that took me less than 20 minutes to read. I love insider info and a look inside the email box of a female journalist was interesting.
Would have loved it to be longer - maybe with some footnotes on the stories/topics referenced.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Oh, man, a 20 minute read! Quick!
Preplexing! It's amazing how some people's mind works!
Unique! I have never seen this format before!
Unfiltered! Some contained a few unnecessary cuss words!
Eye opening! Wow! The things people say!
Quirky! Off the wall comments! Wow!
Find out for yourself!

[Jessica Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle has turned hate mail into art. It's the first book of peoms that I've ever read that's had me gripped as though I was reading a good novel. Brilliantly quirky, snappy, and enlightening. There really isn't another book out there like this one.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, brilliant, loved it!

(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening what journalists put up with. Such a clever way to enlighten us to your world!