Issue 5: I write a "racist" book review

Welcome to the fifth issue of Scuttlebook from your friendly neighborhood book reviewer. As well as the literary criticism I know that you’re here for the real tea, so here we go. 

This month I’m bringing you the story of the time I wrote a review of a NZ novel in which I laid out what I saw as its weaknesses (as well as its strengths), and it triggered what I can only describe as a giant tantrum. People laid official complaints and demanded I be fired. My review was called not only racist but actually treasonous. 

Perhaps the most startling thing, though, was the very strange, intense email I received from a person in a position of authority within the publishing industry accusing me of having penned a vindictive personal attack.   

And then it got weirder.