[Radone]

The number one reviewer on Amazon is now reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110006483

Shudder. The end times must truly be coming.

[Priestvyrce]

The number one reviewer on Amazon is now reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110006483

Shudder. The end times must truly be coming.

I thought that the WSJ was above fluff pieces. What good is a reviewer that only writes "good" reviews? As to her reviews having any merit...well, I need a little more than a basic "I loved this book" type of analysis.

[AuntiePam]

Exactly. Klausner's "reviews" are little more than short descriptions, which you can get from reading the dust jacket.

No harm, I guess. Many readers probably share her tastes, and those who don't will soon learn to ignore her.

It's surprising that the WSJ did this piece though. Must be a slow day.

[DrBloodmoney1]

While Amazon declined to comment specifically on Ms. Klausner to avoid the appearance of showcasing one particular reviewer, others in publishing were less demure. "I'm sure there are people who go online and think, 'I wonder what Harriet has to say about this book,' " notes Knopf publicity director Nicholas Latimer. He sends Ms. Klausner every fiction title his house publishes "because I'd like her to weigh in. There are authors she covers that don't get covered by a lot of major review outlets because of space limitations. Harriet's their champion


I can tell you what she thought about it. She read the back cover, copied that and gave it 5 stars. I don't even look at her reviews anymore. Quite frankly that article made me sick.

[Rob B]

No harm, I guess. Many readers probably share her tastes, and those who don't will soon learn to ignore her.
I can't believe EVERYBODY thinks NEARLY EVERY book is worthy of 5 stars, and the rest 4 stars.

The article was fluff and propaganda, much like the Back Cover Copy Harriet copies and pastes.

[Nevyn]

Is it me ? The article still diddn't prove there really is a Ms Klausner !

[Priestvyrce]

I believe that she is an Amazon.com android sent here to destroy constructive criticism.

[intensityxx]

I saw a good idea on rec.arts.sf.written:

"Do your part -- vote NO everytime you see an HK review on Amazon!"

[Ouroboros]

I give this article 5 stars, because its a very nice article.

I am also giving this thread 5 stars, and indeed the SFFworld website 5 stars, and you 5 stars, and my chair 5 stars, and my computer 5 stars...

....

...

etc.

[JohnH]

I can tell you what she thought about it. She read the back cover, copied that and gave it 5 stars. I don't even look at her reviews anymore. Quite frankly that article made me sick.

Don't forget she then turns around and sells the advance copies and actually makes money on the deal. Which is exactly why she does what she does. She gets a free copy of a book and then sells it. Funny, you would think publishers would be in a snit over this type of shady dealing. But obviously they consider Harriet's whoring of her "valued opinion" to be worth the effort.

Our reading group just sent a letter of 137 names to Amazon telling them that until Harriet Klausner is held accountable for her lies, we refuse to spend our money there. Just for good measure, ten of us included our stock certifcate numbers to indicate as shareholders we are not amused. What pleased me even more was on group member just returned over $700.00 worth of books because Amazon had a Klausner review up.

Amazon needs to pony up. They are aiding in what is essentially fraud. According to her own stats on Amazon.com, she has read and reviewed 8762 books. In others words 1 book a day for twenty-four years. In fact since March 23rd, she has posted 100 reviews for releases that came out in March of this year. All posted atwithin the last week.

I plan on continuing sending emails to Amazon until the issue is resolved or my fingers fall off or senility sets in. I suggest any that feel any real disgruntlement over someone receiving books for free just to write a fake review while you have to pay send an email or two as well. Or better yet pick apart a Klausner review in one of your own.

Amazon made a huge ethics issue over the matter of no longer accepting anonymous reviews. I think they need to take it further in order for their reviews to be credible at all.

The Wall Street Journal missed many a story of late. The fact they can't do simple math on a puff piece like the one on Klausner only lowers the paper in my already disappointed estimation.