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Being asked for an honest opinion

(11 Posts)
Dontcallmelove Tue 12-May-26 08:58:45

A friend has self published a book and is working very hard to sell it. A number of us (13) in a hobby group have bought the book and will be meeting to discuss our hobby. Friend has asked if we could give her our opinions of her book at this meeting. She has said she wants an honest opinion, good or bad. Here’s the problem, most of us found the book boring! It’s far too long, there’s lots of irrelevant information in it etc. I’m being asked by other group members what they should say. Whether she really wants them to be honest or if she would be upset with any negative feedback. She is also asking us to review the book on various platforms and the most anyone said is ‘loved it’. She is writing her second book now and I know she has invested a lot financially into this first book, and so don’t know what to say to her that won’t hurt her feelings but may help her with her second book.
What would you do?

nanna8 Tue 12-May-26 09:03:09

Point out the good things first ( assuming there are some !) and then say you found it a little bit long ?

AGAA4 Tue 12-May-26 09:04:06

I think it would be best to be honest. Pick out the parts of the book you liked but say you thought there was too much padding which detracted from the story.
Positive criticism will help her rather than let her make her second book long winded and boring.

Rosie51 Tue 12-May-26 09:08:09

I think a gentle amount of honesty is required. Perhaps if the basic premise of the book is good you could say so, but then go on to say you think it would have worked better if it was shorter, there was too much peripheral information to absorb type of thing. Just try to find something positive to start with, maybe her description of the locations, or the dialogue seemed very real, just something you can genuinely praise before enlarging on where you felt it could be better. I do think you need to be honest, but try to avoid being brutal.

mum2three Tue 12-May-26 09:08:13

Many authors come up with a good idea for a story but there isn't enough to fill a book, so they pad it out with irrelevant details. Perhaps this is what she has done?
Perhaps she might be better writing short stories for a magazine, and you could suggest this?

Marmin Tue 12-May-26 09:14:46

Perhaps it would be even better with some judicious editing?

Aveline Tue 12-May-26 09:30:18

Suggest that it needs judicious editing? Of course she might have to pay for that.

keepcalmandcavachon Tue 12-May-26 09:38:18

Personally, I could never do anything other than find all the positives to praise if a friend was trying to be a writer.
I'd want her to feel encouraged, it must be a wonderful vocation and I'd be so happy for her to have that outlet for her writing.
Market forces will decide if she is able to pursue it further, but I'd be behind her - so many famous authors were rejected by publishing houses at the start of their careers so I wouldn't feel qualified to critique anyway!

Quercus Tue 12-May-26 09:44:03

No writer ever wants a totally honest opinion, not ever, even if they say they do.
Do the 'sandwich' feedback: make positive comments about anything that even vaguely merits it, then one minor criticism, and finish on another positive note.

HelterSkelter1 Tue 12-May-26 09:50:28

I think the difficult bit here is that it is costing her money to publish and you don't want her to waste more. Perhaps advise her to see how the 1st one goes before she spends more on the 2nd one. But as the 2 PPs above say be gentle with her. Compliment the good parts and offer just gentle advice about the length.
Try not to "gossip" with the other friends.

Sadgrandma Tue 12-May-26 09:52:59

I agree with Quercus. Do you really want to hurt your friend’s feelings? Find lots of good things to say and sandwich a little negative comment between them.