Friday, June 19, 2015

Discussion Question: Is it a Spoiler to…?

Do you consider any of the following to be spoilers if you read them in a review?

1.  That there is a twist or surprise toward the end of the book?  Sometimes that's the best part and you want to let people know but at the same time, then people are looking for it, expecting it, and it's great when you're not expecting anything at all. What to do?

2.  That the ending is open?  

3.  That the ending is happy or sad?

I don't know about you, but sometimes it's rather difficult to write a review that gives enough information but at the same time, doesn't spoil anything.  What do you think?



Posted by:  Pam

7 comments:

  1. I often have that issue. Not wanting to spoil but not wanting to say so little that the reader doesn't even know what I liked or disliked--or even what happened. I honestly don't think any of what you mentioned is spolier-y. I say add it, if it's relevant!

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  2. It's hard for me, because I'm a spoiler fiend, so sometimes I forget that certain things (like a happy ending) could be considered a spoiler to some people. So I'm not sure. I think it depends on the book. :/

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  3. I consider all of these spoilers. Having said that, I don't mind. Maybe just a warning that this review contains some big-picture spoilers.

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  4. I think everyone views spoilers differently. Some people want to know NOTHING about a book and would find the above spoiler-y but those people tend to not read reviews for books until after they've read them themselves so I don't write my review for those people. I wouldn't consider these examples to be spoilers per say but then again, it does give you certain expectations about where the book is headed. I try to be careful when I write my reviews but sometimes I have to hint at what's to come if I'm to adequately talk about my thoughts. I think if you want to avoid all spoilers, it's the readers responsibility to avoid or skim reviews.

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  5. For me #2 and #3 are spoilers. I am more intrigued with a book if I know there is a twist.

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  6. The happy or sad ending can be but not too much on the others. there are books where the ending can make or break the book for me. If I liked the book until the end and felt the ending ruined everything and wasted my time what do I do? I think sometimes you have to give a little bit to express yourself faily in what you thought of the book. Yet don't say what. saying "I can't belive X dies in the end!" is way to much but saying the ending shocked you, I can deal with.

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  7. This gets to me when I am writing my reviews. I can never seem to tell what is too much information and what classes as a spoiler! I've still not quite figured it out, but I usually mention some if not all of those things in some of my reviews.

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