More than Just a Rating discussion

Recently I've seen more instances of book synopses as reviews, not just cover blurb plus a bit more but paragraph after paragraph summarizing the entire book.

I don't have a problem with these book summaries if they state at the beginning what they are (even if there's no spoiler tag hiding info) but I prefer they say upfront what they thought of the book.

I just wonder what others think of these reviews when they report book info without any analysis or opinion?

I'm annoyed by them, but I remind myself that goodreads members usually write reviews for themselves, and that's fine. I still wish they'd say what they thought.

And if they copy the book's own blurb word for word, that's not cool. Even if they use quotation marks, but especially when they don't.

Iow, I think it's a bit better if they write their own synopsis.

Cheryl wrote: "I'm annoyed by them, but I remind myself that goodreads members usually write reviews for themselves, and that's fine. I still wish they'd say what they thought.

And if they copy the book's own bl..."

I find them annoying when I start reading expecting reasonable length review and instead find long book report. I do see where they could be helpful, for instance, when a book in a series is unavailable to the reader the synopsis could fill the gap.

Maybe it would be better if they put analysis, personal reaction, first, then summary. :sigh:

It bothers me slightly if the reviewer copy-and-pastes the blurb on the book into their review, because (1) it's basically an ad (2) that material is literally at the top of the book page for nearly every edition of every book on this site. It's pointless.

As for reviewers summarizing the book on their own, well, why not? For my own reviews, "it depends." A brief summary in my own words, when I bother to do it*, acts as a memory aid, and also gives a snap impression of the elements I found most interesting or important, that can be gone into in more detail later on. Putting a summary at the end of the review after the analysis wouldn't make any sense. Those who know the plot and cast already can always skim to the parts they're interested in reading.

* and when I don't, sometimes I get frustrated when I go back to a review and see I've left a brief impression in a single paragraph, or--even worse--just a star rating and nothing else!

There's a reason for reviewers including cover blurb. While it's repetition on Goodreads and Amazon the same review can be on multiple sites. Some places include blurb and sometimes the bookcover at beginning of review.

Hadn't thought of it before but wonder if requirement elsewhere explains synopsis for review. Reviewer is using same review on Goodreads. May explain why some are synopsis without opinion while others include what I would call review.

lots different ways to think about this... interesting... thanks, all!

Beth wrote: "It bothers me slightly if the reviewer copy-and-pastes the blurb on the book into their review, because (1) it's basically an ad..."

Cheryl wrote: "lots different ways to think about this... interesting... thanks, all!"

Many thanks.
The comments not only provided answers to my question but also gave me some ideas about why the synopses, with and without reviews, are appearing.