Philip Ardagh
Roald Dahl funny prize-winner Philip Ardagh is probably best known for his Grubtown Tales series, and for the Eddie Dickens Trilogy. He writes books, and for TV and radio.
1. Do you make notes as you read?
No, I know some reviewers do, but I ain't one of them. I want the reading to be as much like an ordinary reading-for-pleasure experience as possible, and I don't usually read with a pencil and notebook in hand. If there's a page that I think is of particular interest - for, say, characterisation/plot twist/great dialogue/confusion! - I'll bend down the corner of the page... something I'd NEVER do to a book under normal circumstances, I must confess.
When I've finished the book, I'll go back a revisit the dog-eared pages. If it isn't instantly obvious what I turned it down for in the first place, it's probably not worth incorporating into my thinking when writing the review.
2. How much of the review should explain the story and how much be your opinion of it?
I'm a great believer in saying as little as possible about the story itself. I write in broad strokes. I'm more interested in mentioning the themes tackled in a book rather than the specifics. It's usually themes which attract readers, and the details - and the skill in which the author tells it - that keeps them reading. Of course, I offer opinions but reviews are NOT the place to put forward your pet hates. If you don't like the themes or genre, you probably shouldn't be reviewing the book or, if you HAVE to review it for some reason, you role is to decide whether the author achieved what they set out to do and whether their goals were interesting ones.
3. What about spoilers (giving away crucial bits of plot)?
Avoid them at all costs. If it's the lynchpin to the whole plot, NEVER tell. If it's a little bit of a spoiler, treat it as I did in a recent Guardian review:
"My job of reviewing When You Reach Me would be almost impossible without giving certain aspects away, though. So if you don't want to know more – for fear of spoiling it – other than that it's a well-written and engaging read (for which the author, Rebecca Stead, has been garlanded with numerous awards in her native US, including the coveted Newbery Medal), then stop HERE. The rest of you, come with me..."
4. Do you try to read other books by the same author?
Sometimes that can be REALLY useful!
5. What if you really don't like the book at all?
Ask yourself why you're reviewing it. I get to review books for the Guardian in a variety of different ways. For example, I might be asked by the paper if I'd like to review a particular book, or I might have read an advance copy of a book sent to me by a publisher which I'd then ask the paper if I could review.
In the case of a book I want to review, it's going to be what I consider a good one, which appeals to me. In the case of the paper asking me, I might say, "I'm not a big fan of their writing," for example. "How about something else?" Such a small amount of space is given over to reviewing children's books in newspapers - which is why this website, and those like it, are such a FABULOUS idea - why waste what little space you do have with dissing a book you don't like, when you could be reviewing one you'd like people to rush out and try for themselves.
That's not to say that all parts of all of my reviews are nice, nice, nice. I might say that I really enjoyed the plot but that not all the characters were believable, for example, Or that the dialogue was a bit creaky in places...
6. What must you include, if anything? The age group?
Honest opinions. Don't write what you think you should write about a book. Write what you really think and feel.
Have fun!
Linda Buckley-Archer
Linda Buckley-Archer's Time Quake, final installment of The Time Quake Trilogy, is now out in paperback, published by Simon & Schuster.
1. Is there a set way to write a review?
No. It's great that you want to try your hand at reviewing. The important thing is that you express what you think about the book. In case you want some help getting started this Q&A offers some suggestions.
2. So, you've read the book - what's the next step?
Make sure the book is fresh in your mind. If it has been a while since you read it, perhaps it might be a good idea to re-read it. It is amazing how knowing that you are going to write a review makes you focus on the story.
3. Do you make notes as you read?
I do. I use a folded-up piece of paper which I use as a bookmark and scribble on it when something strikes me while I'm reading. This is usually when I think something is great or I think something is annoying. It's a mass of illegible writing by the end with bits underlined and circled and asterisked. I think it is very important to ask yourself questions as you read. If you find you can't turn the pages fast enough, why is that? Is the story dragging for you? Why is that? I also note down quotes that really sum up the book.
4. How much of the review should explain the story and how much be your opinion of it?
I think it is your duty as a book reviewer to describe the kind of story it is well enough for readers to be able to say "Yes, I might give that one a go" or "No, I would not touch that one with a barge pole." But a review is not just about the story it is about your reaction to it. So be sure that you say how you feel about the story, too.
5. What about spoilers?
I would never, ever include spoilers in a review. I don't think it is fair to give out information that would 'spoil' the reader's enjoyment of the story. I suspect the author might be a little cross, too!
6. Do you try to read other books by the same author?
Sometimes, especially if the book is in a series. However, even though it can be interesting to draw comparisons between books by the same author, it is certainly not necessary to read everything an author has ever written in order to make comments about a particular book.
7. What if you really don't like the book at all?
I suspect that if you didn't like the book at all you probably would not have got to the end of it. If you finished the book and didn't like it but still want to write a review then it is important to say why. Was the book just not to your taste or did you identify faults in the story?
8. What must you include, if anything? The age group?
The only pieces of information you must absolutely give are the title of the book and the author's name. Lots of books appeal to a wide age-range. However, if you think it would be useful to say that a book is aimed at younger/ older readers, go ahead.
9. Do you write your review straight away or do you allow your thoughts to develop?
Writing reviews is like baking bread. You add the yeast to the flour and let the dough rise. Then you give it a jolly good kneading and let it rise some more and only then do you bake it. Personally, I leave at least a day between finishing the book and starting the review. Then, once I've written it, I have to leave it another day and look at what I've written with fresh eyes. I always want to change something – make something clearer, tighten it up, add something...
10. Do you tend to review the same kind of books or do you explore genres you would not normally read?
Sometimes I review books that I would not normally read. I never regret it. It is always fascinating to dip your toe in new waters.
11. Do you think about the reader of the review while you are writing it?
Yes. I think it is helpful to remind yourself that you have an audience and that your audience has needs.
12. Are there any benefits of writing reviews for the reviewer?
Writing reviews is a terrific way to sharpen your reading skills and it can introduce you to writers whose books you might not have tried otherwise. The more you know about how books work - how words on a page can create worlds and change your life - the more you'll get out of the whole experience. Last, but not least, learning how to get across your views to someone else is empowering and very satisfying.
Good luck!
Inspired to start reviewing? Join the site and send us your review!