Got my first negative review today. . .my heart’s still in my throat. I stumbled on to the reviewer’s page at Amazon (I know I promised myself—and some of you I wouldn’t read them and I guess I learned my lesson.) Whew, well the reviewer admitted that she was looking for a book on pain for non-Christians, and I’ll be the first to admit that isn’t who I wrote it for, I wrote it for the church, for those of us who are trying to love the hurting or are the hurting. She also mentioned theology and as I snooped (hey I’m only human) she loved a book my Spurgeon---oh yeah, if you’re looking for a lot of theology for suffering, please don’t try my book. My book is simply a journey and a heart on a page.But I don’t mean to review the reviewer, in many ways criticism is the best form of information b/c it gives you specific instances of what you can improve. I know it’s not the first and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I’m just thankful to be in the conversation.
From day one, this has been God’s story and I am only the vessel, I don’t expect everyone to love it. I only pray that it the Holy Spirit will be present for the people it was intended, that they might find comfort.
But while I’m on the subject I want to make a few points about what you won’t find in my book.
Tips on how to beat grief or sorrow.
Explanations, complicated or simplistic about why people suffer
(Philip Yancey wrote that book. Disappointed with God—I highly recommend it)
Theology in almost any sense, only observations
A happy ending—not to say that there isn’t hope—on the contrary, hope abounds but it isn’t limited to endings or results it comes from God alone.
What you will find is a first-person narrative from a survivor, written for my peers, the post-modern me generation. Personally, if you listen hard enough to a Gen X-Y’er you will hear our explanations of personal experience and hopefully begin to see that they’re in direct contrast to typical Christian conversation or literature ON PURPOSE. Not in order to draw-attention to ourselves but to humbly offer our experience to others in order to give credibility to our conclusions and to reach out.
So yes be warned—my book is all about God and me. Despair is selfish—it only thinks of itself, but thankfully God never leaves us to flounder until we right ourselves and then return to his austere presence. He meets us in our despair and uses isolation to move in mighty, personal ways, to arrive at the theology we may already know, only now it’s imprinted on our hearts, not simply our minds.
In all fairness you can view the review at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310269598/ref=pd_rvi_gw_2/102-1838448-6496953?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155
4 comments:
Oh SK, I am sorry someone wrote something negative about your book. It is funny how different people can come away with totally different experiences from a book, story, movie, ect. I am very much looking forward to reading your book. Knowing you and your heart with make it that much more exciting to read. Dont get too down just because of one person. It may have planted a seed she doesn't yet want to recognize.
Hey Sarah - I saw that review too. My opinion is that if everyone loves it then it isn't well-written! Or, as one of my former bosses once said, "if you haven't ticked someone off at some point in your career then you haven't DONE anything." So, warped as I may sound, I think the bad review is a good thing. She read it, she didn't get her little heart tickled, and she's mad about that, but at least she's thinking. God can work with that! I think it's great and it just shows that your story IS having an impact.
SK--first of all, YOU HAVE A BOOK ON AMAZON!!! It was so neat to see it there, a place where I've bought so many books in the past...and I'm sure it must be even more exciting for you, too! Second, there are some really wonderful reviews, too, that I hope were encouraging to you--people that you've helped and encouraged through your story! (and people are reading your book!! That's huge!!) As Kim said, it IS interesting how people can have such opposite reactions to things...I remember reading reviews on baby items like strollers or high chairs, and one person says, "I hated this chair because the tray is SO hard to clean!!!" and the next one says, "This was the best purchase we made because the tray is so easy to clean!!" SO...point is, people are weird! But I know that it always hurts to be criticized, especially when it is something so very personal and vulnerable. You are wonderful! And God knows your heart and the heart of that other person... I love you and I can't wait to read it...I gotta get out and find it! :)
Even the greatest writers have received negative notices, including William Shakespeare. Your book is a little jewel, inspiring, deeply felt, and many people are glad you have written it. Continue on your path, as you have talent, and your life will continue to provide many more thoughts to put in book form. Although not a Christian myself, your book has a universality which will impact many, many others. Congratulations! (Your mother's favorite patient)
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