What a dire waste of page space, internet and paper (I presume on the latter). Chris has my utmost sympathies. It's really so easy to slag off a book and give no reason in the MSM, isn't it? And has anyone heard of Emma Hagestadt, the reviewer? Answers on a postcard please: I really don't think you'll need to pay the postage for a printed dossier.
30 August 2009
Given the tribulations of the Indy these days it wouldn't surprise me in the least were it to transpire she's the YTS kid.
It does serve to reinforce the issue that newspapers, even ones the are more magaziney like the Independent, really don't have the column inches to sell a book or an author in most of their reviews, although this one, which could be summarised as "it's about crime, set in Paris, and might appeal to Americans" is a particularly unimpressive morel.
Posted by: Ian | 30 August 2009 at 12:53
It appears that she's reviewed 190+ books over the last two years at the Indie, according to journalisted.com. Barry Forshaw normally does the crime and thrillers there, so perhaps on this occasion the book went to the wrong person.
Posted by: cfr | 30 August 2009 at 12:12
Never heard of her and this is extremely annoying. I haven't read Chris Ewan but he seems a nice guy and I prefer to rely on the opinions of proven bloggers such as yourself rather than some .....
It seems that if you do a review with reasons and examples of why you think a book is a useless waste of time you are an amateur. This so called review is presumable a professional effort?
Posted by: Norm | 30 August 2009 at 12:07
Pure laziness on the reviewer's part. And no, never heard of her.
Posted by: Corey Wilde | 30 August 2009 at 02:52