But first:
– A friend said that she thought that some of the stories were brilliantly woven together – I swear she did! But she said she didn’t like any of the characters – that kinda hurt.
– An acquaintance looked at the free view of the first three and a half stories on the Amazon site and raved that I was a very good writer.
– My mom says…well you know what my mom says…
So this is what Kirkus says:
– “Although not blatantly comical, Harris’s stories are sometimes tinged with a macabre sense of humor… and in the three-page-long screenplay-styled “The Best Daaaamn Yogurt,” a “pseudo French Canadian gremlin” uses her magic dust to avoid paying for her favorite yogurt, with hints about the gremlin’s non-gremlin family life… At times, this jagged incompleteness can be stirring, as it captures something of the serendipity of urban, drunken life.”
Kirkus can kiss my ass. What my mom says is accurate. I debated on whether to print the Kirkus review because they didn’t say that I was brilliant like my mom says. So I’m a tad pissed. I think that I’m hard to categorize because I’m a black girl who’s not writing mainstream, political/social black people stories – I don’t fucking know! (Though, maybe I will one day, maybe I will…)
I asked friends if I should print the review and they said that I should print it so, voila. Anyway, I want to see how well this book does before inflicting you with my novel. It’s called “The Unavoidable.” I know you’re looking forward to it!
1800ukillme 
It’s not uncomplimentary. It just sounds like the reviewer had no fucking idea what you were talking about. And that maybe they are actually English teachers in their spare time, and were striving to ruin your book the way my 11th grade teacher ruined The Grapes Of Wrath. Not that I’m bitter, or anything. DAMMIT, I LIKED THAT BOOK UNTIL THAT BITCH STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT.
Ahahahaha! Thanks Kathy, I needed to hear that! Maybe I’ll even get a copy of The Grapes of Wrath — you make me want to read it!
It’s great! Until you have an English teacher of sub-par intelligence rip it apart for allusion and foreshadowing and symbolism. Then it suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks.
I’ve had this happen with movies and books that I’ve liked as well, some high falutin reviewer comes along and deconstructs it in a negative way! There are books on the other end of it that the critics give prizes and accolades that I absolutely think had been poorly written — go figure! Thanks Kathy!
You know what? I found that Kirkus review to be absolutely incomprehensible. I read it twice and I still thought, “Um, WHAT?” I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean. I think it’s most likely just bullshit jargon that’s meant to hide the fact that the reviewer has no idea what the fuck he’s/she’s talking about. Pretentious jackwad.
Hey, Kirkus. Suck my Weebles dick.
Hee hee tee hee! Thanks for making me laugh again — I could use the support! Yeah Kirkus — suck mine! I don’t know if I’ve made a mistake in having it published on their site, but we’ll see. I think it was important for me to believe in my own work and to submit it for review and to publish it — at least I can die saying I did that much for myself, huh…
I don’t even know who or what Kirkus Indie reviews are…sounds like my English professor in college, those people are just wankers…I love your book and can’t wait for your novel. I am assuming they don’t get the humor…dummies!!!
People actually said they didn’t think the review was so bad and that it would be good for it to be out there to draw attention to the book so I began to look at it differently. BB I so appreciate your kind words which mean a lot. It reminds me that there are a number of books and films panned by critics but loved by the audience. My sister who is my number one fan gives me the best encouragement reminding me about things like this. She says matter-of-factly that of course they didn’t get it 100% because I’m not writing for the mainstream. And she’s right! Thanks BB!
That is a great way to look at it :), it will give the book more exposure. Sisters are just the best, and it’s true your book is great and the fact that you can share it with the world is a truimph in itself…so many writers never get to do that. Keep up the great work.
Sandee,
The only thing I can say is that Kirkus is an odd name. Enough said.
Le Clown
You know Le Clown, it is! Who the — what the hell’s a Kirkus!? Why, you know what rating I give them? I give them a big fat S for suck my ass! Thank you Le Clown!
I didn’t think the review was bad or good–like your other readers, I’m just kind of confused. Tell ’em to suck it and listen to your mama! Keep writing!
Thank you thank you Jennifer! You’re right — it’s important for me to keep writing regardless!