A Goodreads user
asked:
Does anybody know how to contact Goodreads directly, to complain about a (this) book's blurb? I am deeply put off by its assumption that the world is inhabited only by straight men ("Everybody has always wanted to love a Princess. Everybody has always wanted to be a Prince"). It makes me not want to read this book, which is unfair to the book's author.
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The 13 Clocks,
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Quinn
Stop. Just... Stop. Goodreads is not a soapbox for your personal views.
Nancy Whiting
That was marketing copy that was on the book jacket back when I was a child, 50 years ago.
Chris
Goodreads doesn't decide the blurbs; the publishing company does.
Methinks you dug too deeply for an implication that wasn't even there.
Methinks you dug too deeply for an implication that wasn't even there.
William Mackie
Also, it says nothing about romantic love; that was your assumption.
Vailhiker
PC Insanity. Jump off the bandwagon.
Rachel Thomas
I don't understand. "Everybody" is not gendered. Women or men can want to marry a Princess and women or men can want to be a Prince. I think this blurb is very inclusive.
Alex Sarll
I don't know if the blurb has been altered since this question was asked, but if not, the question misquotes it:
"There are only a few reasons why everybody has always wanted to read this kind of story: if you have always wanted to love a Princess; if you always wanted to be a Prince; if you always wanted the wicked Duke to be punished; or if you always wanted to live happily ever after."
The final 'or' is crucial. "Everybody" need only emphasise with any one of the four wants. The third and fourth make no assumptions whatsoever about the romantic proclivity of the person in question, and even the second would appeal to as many queer girls I know as straight boys.
"There are only a few reasons why everybody has always wanted to read this kind of story: if you have always wanted to love a Princess; if you always wanted to be a Prince; if you always wanted the wicked Duke to be punished; or if you always wanted to live happily ever after."
The final 'or' is crucial. "Everybody" need only emphasise with any one of the four wants. The third and fourth make no assumptions whatsoever about the romantic proclivity of the person in question, and even the second would appeal to as many queer girls I know as straight boys.
Connor
you're ridiculous. the world shouldn't be covered in bubble-wrap because people like you enjoy getting attention through virtue signaling.
Alistair Lumb
So don't read it!
It don't bother me!
It don't bother me!
Stephen
Miriam was right- these types of descriptions usually come directly from the publisher. This is especially true with anything published since the dawn of the internet. This books description is mirrored on countless other websites including Amazon, so I believe it did come from the publisher. As a librarian, one is able to edit these descriptions. I went ahead and altered the language of that description. I understand why the presumption of whomever wrote that was so offensive. Thanks for pointing it out and please consider becoming a librarian!
Mir
Goodreads usually imports the blurb from the publisher or Amazon, so it's not really their fault, but you can click the arrow in the right corner of the taskbar (next to where you see your avatar) and get to the Help page which EVENTUALLY lets you send a note ;)
Alternatively, someone with librarian status could alter it, I think.
Alternatively, someone with librarian status could alter it, I think.
Franziska Self Fisken
I also find Goodreads difficult to contact
D.
This reminds me of obscenity and indecency objections from decades past. Will the written word always be constrained by moralists, however well intentioned?
Lagobond
I have the 1990 Donald I. Fine edition, and that quote is copied verbatim from the inside of the book jacket.
Maughn Gregory
I don't get why your question upset to many people--except that I do, sadly. It's a great question, thanks for asking it.
David
Why do you assume everybody is a bunch of heterosexuals? Sounds inclusive to me...your assumptions raise hackles where none should be raised. If a blurb makes you not want to read a book, then you are easily manipulated indeed.
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