Re: A first for me

From: "Chris" 
> On Mon, 11 Oct 2010, Mary E Tyler wrote:
> 
>> Perhaps the best answer is, "Not every book is right for every 
>> reader. I'm really sorry that you aren't comfortable with 
>> lesbian/bi characters. Please have a nice day."
> 
> Yes ... but I figure that it's still "caveat emptor", not "goods 
> satisfactory or money refunded".
> 
> How are readers supposed to know if a book is right for them 
> without buying it? And - at the same time - without spoilers?
> 
> : chris smith ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> : nihil tam munitum quod non expugnari pecunia possit - cicero :


Oh, Chris, you often have me rolling on the floor, sometimes with laughter, sometimes chewing the carpet and sometimes both together.

How do you figure that, except where there is deliberate misleading? If you are an experimental reader you don't expect to be pleased with every purchase. As you well know ther is a great difference between the expectation of, say, a white good - where there are specific minima you have a right to expect - and the nature of communication.

If you really want to have a right to refund in fiction books, then you must clarify two things. First where the line should be drawn, and second how a claim of misleading is to be judged.

For example, if I claim my latest novel is 'exciting' and you find it as dull as ditchwater, is that sufficient failure on my part? To prove your point you would have to be prepared to argue against the experience of fans who might well say 'You are wrong. Chris, it is the most exciting book since Hornblower RN.'

Another example. What about a book of jokes. 'I didn't laugh once' may or may not be a criticism of the book. How would you face having your sense of humour tested in court? You would be asked repeatedly  - in various ways - 'Is it not funny, or is it just you that doesn't get teh joke?'

All creative matter is subject to entirely subjective appreciation or rejection. That is why browsing before one buys can be very important.

There is already a requirement to make it clear if anything is 'adult', and most publicity and marketing will make a positive point of the kind of content you are complaining about, let alone warnings. So I'm not clear how you would have missed an indication of the books content anyway.

Joseph

Joseph Harris is Smile Poet
Mailing list [email protected]
http://smilepoet.com     [email protected]


------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------
Post a message:   ebook-community [[at]] *
Unsubscribe:      ebook-community-unsubscribe [[at]] *
Switch to digest: ebook-community-digest [[at]] *
Switch to normal: ebook-community-normal [[at]] *
Put mail on hold: ebook-community-nomail [[at]] *
Administrator:    ebook-community-owner [[at]] *

(* == yahoogroups.com)
-------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebook-community/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebook-community/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    [email protected] 
    ebook-community-fullfeatured-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw@public.gmane.org

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    ebook-community-unsubscribe-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw@public.gmane.org

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/