Interact: Discussions: Richard and Judy|
by Nick Rowling on May 26, 2008 3:15:46 PM
"Have they had their day?" That is the question. And have they really served a purpose? They have lined some authors' pockets (and I have no quarrel with that) but have they got the nation reading good books? I can remember the first book featured by them, Joseph O'Connor's Star of the Sea, flying off the shelves. We could not get stock in fast enough. Now noone ever mentions this book, let alone asks for it.
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I can never forgive them for Time Traveler's Wife. My friend insisted I read this rubbish and forced it into my hand. Utter misery. As you ploughed through the endless pages, all you were left to wonder about was when the wretched guy would turn up next. In between the hapless wife was left to bore us with what she was feeding the kids for dinner. Oops - just checked the reviews and quite a few people love it! In my opinion they got it right with The American Boy (Andrew Taylor) although even that has not stood the test of time. And A Thousand Splendid Suns is doubtless a good read, although a safe choice after Kite Runner. I am just saying - should they now turn to non-fiction, or just encourage us to go for long walks. |
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by colin bolton on May 26, 2008 4:03:59 PM
To begin with I think the campaign did increase interest and bookbuyers, but they soon started selling themselves via their bookclub website and the supermarkets & chains jumped in with 'Richard & Judy' lost-leaders. The promotion has dropped off more recently along with their viewers?!?......
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by K Wan on May 26, 2008 4:37:23 PM
Well it's very well that the campaign promotes books for people to read, but the problem is if Richard and Judy really read every book they promote? That is to say, how much of it is their opinion, and how much of it is from the publishers?
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Also, when you mention Richard and Judy, the first thing that comes to mind is the phone-in scam, which has done nothing but to hinder their retribution. So that, and what Colin has mentioned about the supermarkets, leads me to wonder how one can take their book reading advice with much credibility. |
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by Buffy Squirrel on May 26, 2008 7:32:27 PM
I've read The Star of the Sea and Time Traveler's Wife, and definitely preferred the former to the latter. I didn't think Star was all that good, but it was readable, and amusing in places. It failed the ultimate test, tho--would I buy the author's next book? No. TTW just bored and annoyed me by turns. A friend of mine loved it. It's like we weren't reading the same book!
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Probably Richard and Judy didn't read the books; they were most likely selected by the producer(s). Star of the Sea I picked up s/hand somewhere--didn't even know about the R&J connection. TTW was a gift--I hate it when I don't like a gift book!--and came with their sticker on the cover. So I guess I was forewarned :). |
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by caroline pegg on May 27, 2008 9:53:32 AM
I read RJ Ellory - A quiet belief in angels - the sticker told me it was a R & J book - and thouight it was excellent. Does it matter if R and J did not personnaly pick the books - it is no different from reading reviews of new books in papers.
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by Buffy Squirrel on May 27, 2008 10:11:40 AM
I don't think it matters that they didn't pick the books, no. As you say, it's how these things work. I get sent a great variety of review books--many of them I would never choose for myself! But I try to give them a fair shake anyway. At the moment I have two SF chronicles, a thriller, a literary short story collection, and two historical novels!
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by Beverley S on May 27, 2008 11:39:22 AM
Richard & Judy just don't appeal to me after trying to watch them on their morning TV program :(
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I was almost put off reading 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' as their sticker was on the book. I haven't followed their book club as I guessed it would have little depth (although if this promotes reading amongst people who may not read otherwise then something good must come out of it) I am currently reading, sadly almost finished the 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' thankfully I asked advice on the BR first as this book has excelled my expectations even with the R&J approval sticker. I actually had seen this book before the BR was online but it was R&J approval which dettered me from reading. I have found a new author now even though the sticker was on the book. |
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by Mark Hatton on May 27, 2008 12:55:21 PM
I try not to be too snobbish about popular culture. I hesitated to roundly condemn R&J as I thought at least the were bringing literature to broader public attention. However their choice of books and apparent lack of any critical thought has chronically p***ed me off. They pick about 1 decent book in 5 and ignore far better ones. It may be cynical to suggest that certain major publishers have a distinct influence on their choices, but what with the phone-in scams it's not exactly beyond reason. It's not as bad as Oprah's bookclub though, she grabbed hold of "The Road" by McCarthy (one of my favourite books of the last 5Yrs) and completely missed the point!
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by Mark Hatton on May 27, 2008 1:09:18 PM
P.s. I feel obliged by bookselling integrity to disclose that R&J have pretty much paid my rent over the last few years. Also I have never read, nor been tempted to read, a single recommendation they have ever made. My opinion is neither constructive nor even-handed, I just really dislike them and all they stand for: Tesco's, discounts, da vinci code-esque rubbish achieving legitimacy through popularity, etc. Rant over.
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by Buffy Squirrel on May 27, 2008 3:29:14 PM
Don't hold back, Mark--tell us what you really think!
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I loved "The Road". But so sad. Can't take too many books like that in a year. |
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