Quote:
Originally Posted by DrNefario
Bestseller - a lot of other people liked it
Award - either a lot of other people liked it or a jury who ought to know what they're talking about liked it
Review quotes - these people who ought to know what they're talking about liked it
Blurbs - these people who ought to know what they're talking about liked it
Now a major motion picture - someone thought it was worth making into a film
That's all, ultimately, factual information that might make me believe the book is worth my time. Anyone can say "
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Unfortunately it might not be factual, or if it's true, misleading. See also how Top 100 singles was manipulated in 1960s-1970s.
Bestseller: Zero indication of quality even if true. Might be spurious, manipulated or misleading. See "Fifty Shades of Grey" and Oxfam built a castle out of unread/partially read copies.
Award: See controversies and how "judges" are picked. Judges may be bought or "literary" snobs. Now almost worthless guide to quality, or if I might like it. Meant more 40 years ago, esp. in SF&F.
Review quotes: How many are now sock puppets or bought? In some cases the reviews exist for books not yet written! See Goodreads and Amazon.
Blurbs: Can be accurate, or have spoilers or sometimes you wonder did Burb writer even read the book. A poor quide to quality, but tells you more about what the book is about than the others.
Now a major motion picture: Ha! Might mean books are great, or can be for some other Bizarre Corporate reason. Even 50 years ago not foolproof. c.f. the original movie "The Bishop's wife" vs the actual book. Admittedly rare that movie is better than the book. Loads of ghastly stuff has been made into movies.
These are all Marketing Ploys. Marketing people are not renowned for accuracy, honesty, or reading the book! A nickname is the Crayon Dept.