mind of winter: The Hoolia on Reviews

March 13, 2007

The Hoolia on Reviews

Prior to writing my first review, I considered writing a blurb on my personal review philosophy for this blog. Here's rule number one: I only review things I like. And for the most part I will only review things that I like a lot. Although I know it may very well be useful for you to hear about things that I don't like, I don't enjoy that kind of writing in this particular forum, and with the limited time that I have to blog and my tendancy toward long-windedness, it's not a hard decision to stick to the things I am actually interested in rather than harping on the things that I think suck. Whether you realize it from my writing here or not, I am a pretty harsh critic (I am a lawyer, after all), but that isn't my role at chez MOW. When I review something here, my goal is simply to share something that I like a great deal with you, my readers and friends. Hopefully you know me well enough to know where our opinions overlap and where they do not (well, at least in the knitting arena). I know you know yourselves well enough to make final decisions on your own, no matter what I say to you.

Rule number two is that I never review anything at the behest of someone else. Period, the end. I will only review a book, podcast, etc. if I feel like it. Similarly, if I talk about anything that a friend has designed, I will let you know in advance, so that you can take that potential bias into account. I will never tell you that a pattern is great if it isn't, even if it is designed by someone near and dear. And I will always let you know if there are aspects of a book, pattern, or yarn that I do not care for, or if there are things that may not appeal to certain sensibilities or skill levels, if those things occur to me. I will do it in a very nice way, and in a way that indicates that I am expressing my opinion rather than a universal truth, but I will definitely let you know. Naturally, sometimes my own preferences are so strong that your preferences may not be in the forefront of my mind, but I will try to be balanced. If a pattern book is involved I will include a healthy sampling of photos, as I think this gives you the best opportunity to make a decision for yourself. (I love thoughtful reviews with lots of photographs. Although I'm sure you've seen it already, here's a particularly good review with tons of photos.)

I recently read a review that was very critical of Lace Style and very critical of reviewers who gushed about it. This review was not aimed at me, and I seriously doubt that the writer read my review of Lace Style or is even aware that my blog exists. It simply got me to thinking about something that I had thought about before, and that is that I wanted you to know what my review philosophy for the blog is, so that you can evaluate what I say in that context. I also want you know that I am not gushing because I am blown over by "famous" (god help us) knitwear designers or being swept up by the vast peer pressure of the "knitting crowd." (What are we, people? Three?)* I am gushing because I truly like something and I want to share it with you. I stand by that gush with my every fiber, and I will no doubt live to gush again. But I also stumbled upon a review with what I felt could be pretty useful criticism of Lace Style, in the sense that it echoes what I can imagine many knitters with a different perspective than mine might not like about the book. It expresses what I can see being the dominant counter-viewpoint. If you read it and it sounds like you, you may want to give buying Lace Style a second thought. (The review also gives some good tips for figuring out if patterns are wonky - watch how the models hold their bodies and hands. Do they need to contort or to pull down an edge to keep a piece in place? Beware!) So, I wanted to share it with you as well. Reading an alternate opinion is likely to make your choices even more well-informed.

Finally, I invite you to let me know what you think of books that I recommend. Are there things that you don't like that I missed? Are there things that you loved that I didn't mention? I always like to know what hasn't occurred to me when I evaluate this stuff. I enjoy different perspectives, and I will gladly add your thoughts to the comments (or, if they're really interesting, to the review itself) so that other people can benefit as well.

* See, she is critical. Where did that come from?

Posted by Julia at March 13, 2007 07:00 AM
In main | reviews

Comments

I read your review and knew I was going to buy the book. Then I saw this post yesterday and read the review you linked to and then though against buying the book. So, today I went to the book store and decided to buy it.

I love the book for the same reasons you do and so it really is just a matter of opinion and taste. I felt your review was very accurate and it appealed to me. I love the non-critical nature of your reviews.

I love lace knitting, however, I don't always like to use lace weight yarns. What appealed to me about this book was the fact that many of the patterns did not use lace weight yarns! You could use a sport weight and even fingering weight. There are several patterns that I could knit because I have the yarn in my stash and I found that there are several that I will knit and wear. I also liked the use of a model with breasts - I can't express how helpful that is to me. The designs are beautiful, the pictures are fabulous and I think this was a great purchase for me.

I always appreciate your reviews and your insight and I think it is wonderful that you were introspective and wrote this last post.

Posted by: Lara at March 15, 2007 01:36 PM

Hi Julia,

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I do still read yours regularly. I just don't aways comment these days. ;)

I appreciated the links to the review of "Lace Style". I was considering buying that book but now I'm reconsidering. A critical review can be useful too.

Cheers,
LaurieM

Posted by: LaurieM at March 14, 2007 03:16 PM

Well Julia--you have so much CLASS--you are a kind and decent person and a treasure to the knitting world. You know what so many people don't -A CRITIQUE IS JUST THE OPNION OF ONE PERSON--and done properly it gives an idea of the content of the book. If the person reading it values your opinion it is very helpful. it is NEVER necessary to be mean.

Posted by: Edna Hart at March 14, 2007 12:41 PM

Ditto Marnie: "Personally, I always give a little more credit to a reviewer who will find good and constructively critical things to say about anything they discuss. It lets you know they are making an attempt to look at the big picture and trying not to let their biases sway their review."

As well, cultural bias. Fleegle's post has its merits.

And, as everyone knows with blogging, it's your own opinion.

Posted by: MJ at March 14, 2007 10:56 AM

I've enjoyed and valued your reviews. I also read Damselfly's review, which is also well written and thought provoking. Both your reviews clearly express your own opinions, but what is even more clear is that you both thought about what your opinions are, and most importantly why they are what they are. Without sharing that knowledge with a reader, a reviewer is merely ranting or raving, because the reader can't gain a reference point for comparison to her/his own mindset. Please keep reviewing what you think worth it!

Posted by: Brenda at March 13, 2007 05:21 PM

I have to agree with pretty much everything you say here. I also opt to review only those books/patterns which really thrill me. It's hard to find the energy and motivation to explain why something... sucks. There was only one instance when I reviewed something because I was asked - never again! I've learned my lesson. I'd rather pass on the free book copies and not be forced into reviewing something which I find lukewarm, at best.

Posted by: grumperina at March 13, 2007 03:35 PM

Julia,
As always, I enjoyed this post. I don't know what review you were speaking of, the critical one, that is, but I'll tell you about another one, with a viewpoint you may enjoy reading. It's at fleeglesblog.blogspot.com. She is critical of Lace Style, but in a comparison to a Japanese Lace Book. There's also some fabulous eye candy on here--just look at what she's done with Hazel Carter's Spider Queen, and the Dragon shawl. If you haven't yet found this blog, it's worth a peek. I, too, am a highly critical kinda' girl, and it made my "must read daily" list. Below yours, of course!
I'm really glad there are so many diverse opinions on books and patterns. If there weren't, we'd all be knitting whatever the "knitting rock stars" say we must. And that would be un-fun.
______________________

Hi Lori, I purposely omitted linking to the review I referenced, because I didn't want to stir anyone up unnecessarily. It wasn't aimed at me personally, and was simply thought-provoking for me, but I've seen these things get blown out of proportion in other comments, so I stuck to referencing it merely as food for thought.

I did see Fleegle's post on the Japanese Lace comparison. I think we have different fashion sensibilities, and I find the pieces that she pointed out to be beautiful, but nothing that I could pull off in terms of wear. I think that I am a midwestern girl at heart, and that combined with my current socal surroundings leads to a higher degree of casualness in dress. Viva la difference! I found her review most helpful in that it spotlighted the fact that those drawn to very fine lace-work in a more traditional style would probably not benefit by purchasing Lace Style. Overall, I thought Damselfly's criticisms were more introspective and more universal so I linked to hers. Fleegle's site does contain a lot of interesting info, though. I'll definitely re-visit for another peek at her technical posts.

Posted by: lori at March 13, 2007 03:32 PM

I, for one, purchased Lace Style based on your review. I appreciated the review at the time that I read it as I was searching for lace. Just lace in general. I trust your instincts as I have had the opportunity to meet you, short meeting that it was.

I am not disappointed. I've thumbed through the book about 30 times since I got it. I will sit down and read like a woman possessed when time permits. Are there things I don't like? Yes. But I adore 90% of those patterns. I would have delayed purchasing the book a wee bit longer were it not for your review. I'm thankful that I bought it that very night.

Posted by: Sachi at March 13, 2007 11:06 AM

Well, I admire your policy on reviewing things you like. The way I see it, it's like with anything else- when we come across something we like, we want to share it with others. I would think your readers should have a pretty good idea of your sensibility by now, which they either share or may diverge from. Either way, they should be able to take the information you share and apply it to make informed judgements for themselves. Personally, I always find your reviews informative and helpful. I can always count on you to be thorough- you discuss what you especially like and also aspects you may not like as much - which provides me with a good jumping off point. So, in short, thanks! ;)

Posted by: Nonnahs at March 13, 2007 10:09 AM

one of the reasons i always come back to your blog is because of the quality of your writing and your knitting. i find your choices of paterrn and modifications to patterns to be reliable and thoughtful, resulting in beautifully crafted pieces. rarely have i looked to 'real' reviewers to choose a book. most of my projects are heavily inspired by the blogs i visit regularly, i think it empowers all of us to have this forum to share our experience and yours is invaluable. i much appreciate the explanation of your review techniques and wanted to let you know i hope to see more.

Posted by: mamie at March 13, 2007 10:08 AM

I appreciate your review of lace because of your talent in knitting it. You have the depth of knowledge to evaluate the book. Besides, it's your blog and you can opine to your heart's content.

Posted by: Dawn at March 13, 2007 09:26 AM

I think you have a great policy on reviewing. I can always trust the things you post, yet I've never felt I couldn't reserve the right to make up my own mind. It's interesting that others don't feel the same. Personally, I always give a little more credit to a reviewer who will find good and constructively critical things to say about anything they discuss. It lets you know they are making an attempt to look at the big picture and trying not to let their biases sway their review.
This post really has me thinking about reviews in general and my own principals. Thanks.

Posted by: Marnie at March 13, 2007 09:07 AM

when reviewing any pattern or book I hope any reviewer will include any errata known. I recognize the vast differences in likes & challenges so believe one review should be taken as just more information. However, the all-too-common errors & automatic "here's the errata", imo, should be brought to light with criticism. IMO it's too common because it's too lightly accepted.

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Hi Jo - Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely keep this in mind. The only error I've seen in Lace Style is the mislabeling of the large lace chart in the essential tank as the small chart, but I will keep you posted! As someone who has written patterns I can attest to the fact that it is very, very challenging to make a book error-free, even with several drafts and test knitters. I only get irritated when errors are numerous and obviously avoidable, but I realize that I am not your typical consumer.

Posted by: jo at March 13, 2007 08:55 AM

Why oh WHY do people take these things so seriously. You liked a book, so you wrote about it on your blog. End of discussion. I'm not saying that someone bashed you, per se, but why write a review of a book and bash the people who liked it? There is room in this VAST world for everyone to have an opinion.

I, for one, am thankful for your review. It's what pushed me over the edge to knit the KH Cardigan. I saw it first at Margene's, then here, and that was it. So THANK YOU!

Posted by: Cara at March 13, 2007 08:30 AM