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!
