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Star ratings for classics
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I think as GR reviews are subjective, it's completely appropriate to give a low rating to a classic.
I read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley the other week, and wondered how it had retained its "classic" status. Amazing and enduring idea and theme but not a classic read for me...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Judy wrote: "But it makes me uneasy not to give 5 stars to a classic even if I didn't love it - it seems as though I'm saying the great author could have done better!"
^ As I suggest, completely legitimate to not enjoy, and therefore give a low rating to, a classic book.
One related bugbear is those people who do not substantiate their reviews. I heartily dislike seeing a one or two star review with no comment, or a dismissive comment like "Rubbish", "Don't bother" etc.
Why did you read it?
What were your expectations?
How did it meet or not meet your expectations?
What did you enjoy?
What was less enjoyable?
What struck you about the book?
etc.
On GoodReads etc. it's all about a reader's response to a book - no matter what the book's reputation.

On your other point, I must admit that I often don't write full reviews of books myself because of lack of time, plus I tend to prefer saying more about those I liked rather than those I didn't. I mean to go back and fill them in later, but don't always get round to it - but maybe will do better in 2015!

The review/rating should reflect your reaction to the book, no matter how well known the book may be.

Judy wrote: "I must admit that I often don't write full reviews of books myself because of lack of time, plus I tend to prefer saying more about those I liked rather than those I didn't. I mean to go back and fill them in later, but don't always get round to it - but maybe will do better in 2015! "
That's all fair enough Judy. Not everyone has the time to write up book reviews. And yes I agree it's better to be positive about stuff than have to dwell on something you didn't enjoy.
On further reflection I just thought of even more of a bugbear than short or unsubstantiated reviews, and which tend to crop up on Amazon, which is people rating on the basis of how quickly a package arrived or adding a review of a book etc. which they bought for someone else, with a comment like "my daughter seemed pleased with it".

What I personally hate is reading reviews that complain about issues, but then are rated 5 stars anyway. Or people that only EVER rate books 4 or 5 stars, their reviews are meaningless to me.
My ratings for all books are *so* subjective. The right book, at the right place and time can earn 5 stars, even if I know it really is mediocre writing or rehashed plot. Likewise, great books that aren't what I want when I read it lose stars. Sometimes I bump books up or down in an attempt to be objective.
I know some people want to be stingy with their 5 stars, but to me, if it's a book I'm racing to get back into after work or after chores or whatnot, then it's probably 5 stars for me.
I also try to review most books I read, even if it's just a line or 2. More times than not, it's not a lack of time that prohibits my reviewing, but a lack of mental energy. Especially if it's a book (like classics tend to be) that took a lot out of me just to read.
I know some people want to be stingy with their 5 stars, but to me, if it's a book I'm racing to get back into after work or after chores or whatnot, then it's probably 5 stars for me.
I also try to review most books I read, even if it's just a line or 2. More times than not, it's not a lack of time that prohibits my reviewing, but a lack of mental energy. Especially if it's a book (like classics tend to be) that took a lot out of me just to read.


Some books on a first reading earned a 4 but re-read later were lucky to get a 3. So moods do change. And some books that I have tried to re-read I just can't get into the way I did previously.

"Classics" are in the eye of the beholder.....it reminds me of lists of the "best guitar players of all time" or "the greatest art works". Depends on who is doing the rating.
Somebody said that "Classics are book that people talk about but never read".

I hadn't heard that review of 'Moby Dick' before and it made me laugh! I loved 'Moby Dick' overall, but must admit I sometimes skimmed through the sections full of facts about whales, which I would never have taken in anyway, to get back to Ahab and his obsession!

I'm another one who finds my views of a particular book varying depending on mood - sometimes I love it on a first read but not on a repeat one, or vice versa. I also sometimes find my view of a book changing in retrospect and have to add or subtract a star as a result.
I think you need to be true to yourself when reviewing any book including the classics. You like them or you don't and your opinion is as valid as any. The great thing about GR is the sheer number of different people doing exactly the same thing so the aggregated star rating means it should all work out in the wash!
There is a fantastic book called 'What Good Are the Arts' by John Carey that I can recommend to anyone who ever contemplated whether the arts are all they're cracked up to be. I was put in to it by my old literature tutor and it's an easy and engaging read. It'll make you feel better about 'challenging' the greats!
There is a fantastic book called 'What Good Are the Arts' by John Carey that I can recommend to anyone who ever contemplated whether the arts are all they're cracked up to be. I was put in to it by my old literature tutor and it's an easy and engaging read. It'll make you feel better about 'challenging' the greats!
I think you need to be true to yourself when reviewing any book including the classics. You like them or you don't and your opinion is as valid as any. The great thing about GR is the sheer number of different people doing exactly the same thing so the aggregated star rating means it should all work out in the wash!
There is a fantastic book called 'What Good Are the Arts' by John Carey that I can recommend to anyone who ever contemplated whether the arts are all they're cracked up to be. I was put in to it by my old literature tutor and it's an easy and engaging read. It'll make you feel better about 'challenging' the greats!
There is a fantastic book called 'What Good Are the Arts' by John Carey that I can recommend to anyone who ever contemplated whether the arts are all they're cracked up to be. I was put in to it by my old literature tutor and it's an easy and engaging read. It'll make you feel better about 'challenging' the greats!
But it makes me uneasy not to give 5 stars to a classic even if I didn't love it - it seems as though I'm saying the great author could have done better! What does anyone else think about this?