DISQUS

Jason · 2 years ago

Marcus,
I thought you had some wonderful thoughts in here. I agree that this blog tour has been the most interesting one so far, but maybe for the wrong reason.

I thought that SFC hit a lot of critical points about the book, but it seems that something caught his high horse and that came out in the review.

You hit on a real conundrum about the blog tour. On one side, it is promotion for a book. I don't want to be negative, (especially when getting a free book), but it just didn't work for me. However, I don't want to be a cheerleader - if people come to me for reviews, I hope they are honest. I know of one Christian review site I don't bother visiting because I've never seen anything besides "rah, rah, another wonderful read!"

I hope you stick around and help us find a middle ground to this in the CSFF tour. I've been exploring your site a bit and am impressed with what I've seen. Either way, be blessed.

Jason

Susan · 2 years ago

So, does this mean you actually are recommending this book as one worth the time to read? You have a Karen that sounds like you liked the book but then you switched to Sharon whose book MAY work well for its intended audience - but dont' say what the intended audience is.

So, I'm a bit confused - can you give me some thumbs up or down?

L.L. Barkat · 2 years ago

Just popping in to say hi. Oh, and Sharon Hinck is such a nice person. I met her a few years ago at Mt. Hermon. (Um, no, that's not a book review.) :)

Eve · 2 years ago

Nice look on the blog, Mark.

I read tons of fantasy. This book did not rank tops on that aspect, but I really enjoyed the marrying of real-life mom with fantasy.

The "whining" that was referred to by Cath. was something I so realated to. The main character is introduced as not whiney, but going through a major depression (all is well on the outside, but on the inside-hell).

The verses were encouraging as well.

I think that this book fits primarily moms who have not had much experience with fantasy. Fits it perfectly.

I give the book a 7 out of 10.

The purpose of CSFF? To promote the genre(s).

Don't get discouraged over someone's lack of sensitivity. But talk to the Boss about what to do-He'll know. :)

Rebecca LuElla Miller · 2 years ago

As I explain to new folk signing up for CSFF BT, there are 3 goals, and I don't weigh one over the other: promote the genre of Christian science fiction/fantasy, promote the particular book or website we feature, draw readers to our individual blogs.

I specifically say, also, that bloggers are free to say what they want and that good copy will be more apt to hook visitors to making return trips to a blog.

In that light, the post I think are least helpful are those that are "canned."

I love the creativity, the discussion, the interaction that the tour generates. Even the controversy. (Hey, nothing sells like controversy. ;-) )

As I saw this tour, those who disagreed with negative reviews were free to voice their opinion in comments and as posts on their blog.

Good. Now we have varied opinions and readers will have to actually get the book and see what they think.

I don't see the down side of this.

I'm with Eve, Mark. It would be our loss if you dropped out.

As far as I'm concerned, anyone who gives thoughtful interaction with our featured subject is welcome on the tour.

Becky

D. G. D. Davidson · 2 years ago

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Mark. I'm sorry my review provoked such a strong reaction. "Brutal shredding" was not my goal when I wrote the review, though I assumed it would be controversial. I may have overstepped the line and have left my own reflection here: http://www.scificatholic.com/2007/06/june-chris...

Marcus · 2 years ago

I delayed in respond here because I felt too close to the issue.

Jason, I'm sure I'll stick around. I can't resist hanging out with you guys because you're the only Christians I know who like science fiction and fantasy.

Susan, you're not letting me off the hook are you? So here it is: thumbs down. Give me Gene Wolfe or Dean Koontz for good Christian fantasy. As for the Sharon/Karen mixup, I was thinking of Karen Hancock and Sharon Hinck. Those names are too similar for me to keep straight! (But thanks for pointing out the error. I fixed it.)

L.L., I've heard nothing but good about Sharon, that's why it feels wrong not to like her book!

Eve, I always appreciate your comments. Sorry for not making it by your blog lately. I'm sorting through some things here. (And thanks for noticing my new template!)

Becky, thanks. I've told you this before, but I want to say again. Your selfless and thoughtful leadership is a real inspiration.

Marcus · 2 years ago

DGD, here's the thing. I don't think you were over the top. Sometimes a critic needs to brutally shred a book. You had real moral objections to the book. I don't quite agree with you, but I certainly respect your right to voice those objections. In an earlier version of this post, I compared you to a prophet--telling people the bad news that they don't want to hear. But that analogy felt unfair to Sharon.

Which is why my only conclusion is to wonder what we are supposed to do. Certainly you should be allowed to challenge us all to write good stuff. Really good stuff. Stereotypes and stock characters can't be allowed if we want Christian SFF to be viewed as anything other than a one dimensional caricature of a better genre.

On the other hand, it feels wrong to me to accept free books, to pretend to encourage folks and then to skewer their work--which may need skewering.

Although as for that, I suppose the honesty of the blog tour will generate more credibility than a bunch of "rah rah rah go team" robot reviews from everybody drinking the company cool-aid and walking off cliffs with blinders on.

D. G. D. Davidson · 2 years ago

Thanks, Marcus. Yeah, I misunderstood what you meant, big time.

Let me make clear, though--I had artistic objections to the book, not moral ones. I realize I failed to make that distinction in my review, and after some thought, I realize that I disliked the artistic elements so much (including the fictional religion) that I went hunting for theological objections. That was wrong of me.

I have no moral or theological objections to the novel; I regard the poorly developed religion part of the book's artistry, but I can't peg anything in the book as really theologically objectionable. Loving scripture and using it to combat evil is certainly not a moral problem, but a depiction of it, if it isn't a good depiction, can be an artistic problem.