More of an American phenomenon than an English one but this funny little documentary discusses the enthusiastic and prolific blurb comments of one particular author who endorses just about every book he hears about (or so it seems) and whether these book jacket quotes actually change anyone’s mind about those debut works…
I read plot summaries, publication dates and author bios on book jackets but honestly? I never even glance at the quotes unless they’re from named critics/reviewers and I have an idea of how their tastes overlap with mine!
There’s a piece about the making of it by Ron Charles who appears in the video which you can read here. He links to a Tumblr account that is a shrine to Shteyngart blurb comments which also makes for amusing reading.
January 9, 2013 at 04:07
In my youth, it was Graham Greene blurbing here, there, and everywhere. He loved everything he read.
January 9, 2013 at 17:56
I try to ignore almost all cover matter these days. I don’t want to be unduly influenced. If I do happen to read a blurb, it doesn’t tend to sway me unless I really love/respect the blurber. :) It is an interesting little film though. I shall file it away.