Lately, I have been reading many blogs which post DNF reviews. For those of you who don't know, DNF stands for "Did Not Finish". This is in reference to a book that, for whatever reason, the reviewer couldn't or wouldn't finish. These reasons can range from "I didn't have the time, but I still liked it" to "This was the worst book on the face of this Earth". Usually, at least for the ones I've encountered, they tend to land in the later category.
From what I can surmise, a DNF review serves the purpose of allowing a reviewer to tell exactly the reasons why he/she could not enjoy a book. Characterization, writing, world development, the list goes on. I can see the benefits to this. It's always nice to read the other perspective on a book. For instance, I loved a book I just read, Immortal City by Scott Speer, but a blogger I greatly admire didn't enjoy it at all. See, people have a difference in tastes. It happens.
However, with many DNFs that I've read, and this is no way pertaining to all DNF reviews, they turn into bitch sessions or "let's-tear-this-author-down" reviews. Granted, that is part of freedom of speech, but I have to wonder, who does it benefit? It doesn't benefit me to read some vitriol spewed rant. It does benefit me to read the logical reason why a person didn't finish a book. This actually gives me reasons, not hate, to consider.
I understand that sometimes people really dislike a book. I mean really dislike. But let's face it, somewhere someone LOVES the book you hate (in addition to the author who probably worked really hard on it) so having some respect and decency when one writes a DNF is just good manners. And while one has the right to review any book regardless of pages read, is it really fair to do so if they've only read 10-20 pages of a book? Personally, I don't think so, as one can't possibly be informed on the actual content of the book. But then again, I don't write DNF reviews period.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I understand the place for DNF reviews. I think if done constructively and in a civilized tone, they actually benefit readers, and perhaps even writers in their future endeavors. I think it's when they cross the line into hate reviews that it isn't necessary. Negativity like that doesn't reflect well on anyone.
What do you think? Do you write DNF reviews? Do you think they serve a good purpose? Do you hate them with a fiery passion? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I think you have to read the first 100 pages of a book to justify a DNF review, because the first 100 pages is where you see if you truly enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if you DNF it in the first 20 pages, but you don't give a star review, I think that's fine as well. I don't think you should give an author 1 star based on the first 5,000 words, but you can summarize why you didn't like it, so others can be wary of it.
Personally, I don't think DNF reviews are mean or anything, but I don't do them often. If I didn't finish a book, I simply don't post a review on my blog, but I do on Goodreads, since that's the purpose of the site.
I don't like DNF reviews. I will post a DNF on Goodreads, but I've had too many books get better at the end, and I don't think it is fair to post a review based on a partial opinion....
ReplyDeleteKaris @ YA Litwit
Personally I don't write DNF 'reviews' as such.
ReplyDeleteI do a post called 'What I'm reviewing' which is where I let readers know what reviews I will be posting next. In that post I also post links to the reviews that I've posted since my last WIR post. If I didn't finish a book that I said I would be reviewing in that last WIR post then I will state it in this post and I will state the main reason (short explanation) why I personally DNF it.
But I will not rate the book, nor will I write an actual review on the book because I did not finish it. Even if I read 60% of it, I just don't feel right writing a review on it because I did not read the whole thing and find that's not fair for an actual review. In my opinion that is. Who know's, the ending might have been amazing?
As for other people's DNF's, I think as soon as I see DNF I usually skim the review to see why but to be honest, I don't usually take their opinion into account. And that's mainly because their opinion is a flat out 'Really did not like it' or 'Hated it', and it's usually (I'm hoping) for legitimate reasons.
But to be honest, I usually skip the DNF's unless its a blogger I like. And even then, the DNF won't be a deal breaker! I still wanna give the book a chance. Like you said, someone might really, really dislike a book but there's someone else who really loves that book. It's the beauty of opinions, getting to see both sides and then making up your own on the matter!
Jordon @ Miss Book Reviews