Briefly today as life becomes no less hectic. I need advice. Tomorrow I have to go to a meeting which will be chaired by a friend of mine whose husband has just published his latest novel to what can only be described as something less than critical acclaim. I haven’t had time to read it yet, so I can’t pass my own opinion on it (which may not turn out to be any more favourable than that of the critics), do I mention it at all? All thoughts on the matter gratefully received.
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Café Society 
If this is a close friend, then I would say something like : ‘I hope (husband) isn’t too down about those bad reviews. Can’t please everyone! Fantastic that his new book is out!’ If the friend is more of an acquaintance then I wouldn’t mention it unless they bring it up first – then focus on the achievement of getting the book out there (that IS a huge achievement) and steer clear of talking about the critics. Hope this helps, good luck!
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Thanks, Lucy. Part of the problem is that this is an international award winning novelist who could pretty much guarantee publication whatever the book had been like. In the group we move in there is no pretending that we haven’t seen the reviews!
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Ah, tricky. But if he is a novelist of that level, I’m sure he understands that not every book is going to be a hit. Maybe he isn’t too riled by it. Perhaps the best thing is to let her bring it up first and see how the land lies from there.
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I think I’d leave it up to someone else to mention it. Not having read it yourself is a blessing. Good luck!
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Let’s hope I’m not offered a copy, Susan😉
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The truth seems harmless (and is always less trouble in the long run): “Congratulations on the new novel – haven’t had a chance to read it yet. How’s it going?” If you haven’t ordered a copy yet, get onto Amazon before the meeting. We’ve all been there.
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I think I’m actually going to postpone reading it until the first wave of disappointment is over. Perhaps everyone will be thinking a little less emotionally by then.
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Awkward! Play it by ear and see how you feel at the time. It may be best to be honest and say what you said here. And you may not agree with the critics. Good luck!
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Part of the problem, Margaret, is that I (and the book world in general) raved about his last novel. It throws this one into such relief. I wish I hadn’t read the reviews because they have set me up for a real disappointment.
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I was thinking – do you have a copy of his book/
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I’d recommend a congratulations on the fact of publication. If they bring up the topic of reviews (and only if they bring it up), a “can’t please everyone!” and a reiterated congrats. Getting as far as publication is a big deal in itself, after all!
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Unfortunately Elle, this is a writer who could pretty much guarantee publication. In the circumstances congratulations might come over the wrong way.
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Oh. That’s awkward. (Desperately want to know who it is now, because I’m the worst.) Maybe say nothing, then!
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Could be tricky.. Echoing others it might be best to wait and see if others bring it up and what they say and just chime in. I would definitely let others lead any conversation about it rather than initiating it.
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I kept my mouth shut, Karen and so did everyone else. Fortunately, it was a very busy agenda and so it do\I don’t look too much as if there was something we were all avoiding talking about.
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I’d say, since you haven’t read the book, don’t mention the bad reviews. You could comment how busy his husband must be with the book release, assuming it was a recent event.
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i would be a real coward I’m afraid and hope that someone else would be the first to bring up the topic. Since it’s going to be expected you’ll have seen the reviews and will know they are not what he wants, you can be sympathetic.
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First week in February, Smithereens. Fortunately, the subject didn’t come up and one or two of us breathed a sigh of relief.
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We were all cowards, Karen and no one mentioned it. Fortunately, it was a busy meeting and so it wasn’t that noticeably the elephant in the room.
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Phew, by the time of the next meeting it will likely have been forgotten about one hopes
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Hope it went okay. Bit late but I think I would have acknowledged the bad reviews and hoped they weren’t taking them to personally. You have the perfect excuse for not having read the book yet, so at least you can’t be asked for your own opinion on it.
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We all tactfully avoided the subject and got through the morning. Our next meeting isn’t for six weeks, when hopefully feelings will be a little less raw.
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