But she didn’t expect a backlash to strike six months before the book was published.
In January, after a Goodreads user who had received an advanced copy posted a plot summary that went viral on Twitter, the review site was flooded with negative comments and one-star reviews, with many calling the book anti-Black and racist.
Some of the comments were left by users who said they had never read the book, but objected to its premise.
“It may look like a bunch of one-star reviews on Goodreads, but these are broader campaigns of harassment,” Rabess said.
As a cross between a social media platform and a review site like Yelp, the site has been a boon for publishers hoping to generate excitement for books.
Persons:
Cecilia Rabess, Goldman Sachs, ” Rabess, Goodreads
Organizations:
Twitter