We admit we’re easily amused. We count ourself lucky to be part of a species that takes itself so seriously — yet is so ridiculous. It is as if there was some sort of plan to keep us laughing. Like when noted author Anne Rice chooses to take on her fans in a tirade. You know the type — you, you…readers…you don’t get it. You don’t understand. This is art. I am going to take my toys and go home.
Okay, fine, we’re paraphrasing. If we give Rice the benefit of the doubt, she didn’t do herself any favors (unless she is hoping a dash of controversy will scare up a few sales). If we give the readers the benefit of the doubt (and, unless this was an organized smear campaign, we wonder at their motivation), Rice missed with this book — by a mile. Perhaps it’s time for her to try a new direction in her fiction. Maybe the idea couldn’t find its footing on the page. Maybe she phoned it in. Not every single book can be a work of genius. Of this we’re sure.
On another note, while we applaud Rice’s money-back guarantee and publication of her home address (though we thought that was fairly well known, considering the number of pilgrims who manage to trek to Louisiana every year), we are puzzled: Rice announced she was leaving town several months ago. While it’s possible her forwarding order is still in effect, we worry that some requests may be lost due to lack of a current address. But don’t let this stop you from taking the author up on her offer, if you believe such action is warranted.
1 response so far ↓
Larissa Ione // Sep 24, 2004 at 8:09 am
I absolutely agree. Instead of listening to why the readers hated her book, she blasted them for it while justifying her reasons for writing the book the way she had. I read a lot of those reviews, and most of the negative ones, while a bit harsh, didn’t seem to be malicious. They were written by people who have been Rice fans since the beginning, who have followed her in every place she’s gone–but they were disappointed in THIS particular book. Most of the bad reviews are by FANS who feel let down, not by jealous authors or mean-spirited people who just felt like trashing any old novel.
Anne Rice has a loyal following of people who have come to expect a certain level of quality from her. They didn’t get it and are showing their feelings. And for that, they got blasted. Did Anne Rice help her cause or hurt it? I’m guessing that she hurt it, but you never know…