The Lack of Culture in Book Reviews
by Kathy G. Short, The University of Arizona
My major goal for teachers taking my course on multicultural literature this semester was to encourage them to develop a critical lens to use in reading and evaluating literature. We often discussed books in small group literature circles. Teachers were asked to read and respond to each book from a personal perspective as well as to research the background of the author and to locate book reviews to see how experts in the field evaluated the book. I wanted them to have a range of tools to use in evaluating books for cultural authenticity.
We were surprised to realize that book reviewers seldom commented on any issues of culture. Not only did reviewers not discuss cultural authenticity, they rarely commented about any cultural aspects of the books, except to note the ethnicity of the main character. For example, Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan raises issues of bicultural identity and challenges stereotypes of Mexican fathers, but the book reviews did not comment on these aspects of the book. After reading multiple book reviews for many different books, we concluded that book reviewers seem to go to great lengths to avoid commenting on culture within their reviews. One librarian in the course was distraught when she realized the inadequacy of reviews for books reflecting specific cultural experiences because she has been using reviews to order books for many years. We wondered if the reviewers are not comfortable with their knowledge of diverse cultures and so avoid any specific comments about culture for fear of being accused of inaccuracy. Is the avoidance of culture an indication that most reviewers hold mainstream views and lack knowledge about culture and cultural authenticity? Or are other factors influencing the lack of reference to culture in reviews? Is the issue the lack of diversity within the book reviewers or the standards and criteria used to write book reviews? What other issues might be affecting the lack of culture in book reviews?
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- Themes: Kathy G. Short
- Descriptors: Debates & Trends
It may also be fear of inadvertently offending someone. Race is a very sensitive topic, and its so hard to judge tone through words.
I think it’s a combination of all these issues that makes most published book reviews inadequate for determining cultural authenticity or accuracy. To my knowledge, there are no specific criteria for book reviews or reviewers in the most frequently used review sources consulted by school and other librarians. That’s one reason why the WOW Review is such an important resource. We need to spread the word! http://wowlit.org/on-line-publications/review/
I agree that fear of offending someone is a major factor, especially in relation to race. One book that I found helpful in thinking about how to talk about race, rather than avoid the topic, is Talking Race in the Classroom by Jane Bolgatz
I started reviewing books with American Indian content for HORN BOOK. That was in the 90s when I was in graduate school. One review was rejected because I used the word “stereotype.” It was deemed a non-literary critique. Later, a review I did on a book about the California Missions was also withheld. In that one, I pointed to scholarship by people in Native Studies that challenges the status quo with respect to how indigenous people were treated by those missionaries.
I eventually quit reviewing there. In 2006, I launched a blog and resource where I turn a critical lens on books, reviews, lesson plans, movies, etc. with Native content. Friends and colleagues with a similar lens submit items for the site. On Thursday, for example, I published Jane Haladay’s review of Will Hobbs BEARSTONE. In it, she asks the question of audience. Who is Hobbs book for?
I think writers and reviewers write to a white audience. I also think that, due to the visibility of my site, there’s increasing awareness that Native people are also reading these books, and voicing objections.
My site is americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
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Your site is an excellent example of a reviewer who does not separate literary criteria (how a book is written) from authenticity (what is written). The belief that literary criteria and authenticity are somehow in opposition to each other continues to be a major problem in traditional book review sources and, to be frank, supports a position of white privilege. The issue of books and reviews being written for a white mainstream audience, rather than insiders to the culture, is evident not only in Native books. Yoo Kyung Sung has found this in books about Korean American experiences and Seemi Raina is finding the same issue in books about Muslim experiences published in the U.S.
Hi Kathy,
Perhaps you’d have a recommendation(s) regarding recently published books (2005 on) that misrepresent African Americans and their culture. I’ve been searching websites, reference books and databases. I came across your site today.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts you can share.
Carol Johnston