Between The Covers: What's Really Going on in the World of Books

Further evidence, if any were needed, that online user reviews are often nworthless, Damian Barr’s memoir Maggie & Me (both below) was published in 2013 and has an average score of 4.6 out of 5 on a popular website.

But the “top critical review”, giving the book 3 stars, has the heading “Probably great – I wouldn’t know”. The armchair critic goes on: “My wife bought this for me, I haven’t got a clue as to what the hell she was thinking of.

I liked Mrs Thatcher and I’m not gay so I think that reading this book would more than likely annoy me than anything else – so I won’t be opening it.

My review is more about the quality of my wife than the quality of the book, unfortunately I don’t think in all good conscience I can return either for a refund.”

According to the website, “2 of 2 people found this helpful”, so Between the Covers checked some of the reviewer’s other work.

What on earth does make “Tucker” happy? Well, a pond filter, two microfiber chair covers and an 8mm diameter waterproof endoscope with USB Cover all get five stars. It’s Mrs Tucker we feel sorry for.

*****************************************

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the Royal Society of Literature has asked some of its fellows to name their scariest literary moments.

Hilary Mantel chooses the moment in Jane Eyre after Rochester asks her, “You don’t turn sick at the sight of blood?”

Ali Smith chooses a murder in The Fixer by Bernard Malamud. Poor Kamila Shamsie recalls the first time she read Watership Down: “Having never understood the point of subjecting yourself to terror when it can be avoided, I’ve always done my best to avoid the horror genre.

When I was 11, it seemed a book about rabbits would keep me clear of that particular briar patch. But I wasn’t counting on General Woundwort ... truly the most terrifying creature I’ve encountered in fiction.”

*****************************************

The Desmond Elliott Prize has revealed this year’s judges: Sam Baker, novelist and editor of the-pool.com, and this paper’s literary editor, Katy Guest, are chaired by the author and art historian Iain Pears, who says: “The Prize signals that publishing is not just about sales, but remains primarily about producing good books. It is a pleasure and a responsibility to be one of the judges.” Hear hear.