Parker Navarro’s debut novel was meant to define his career – until critic Selina Chan’s blistering review made it the flop of the decade. Four years later, his new book is his shot at redemption; for Selina, reviewing him again is a professional risk she can’t refuse. When her second takedown ignites a viral feud, both their fortunes shift overnight. But as the literary world feeds on their public sparring, a quieter dialogue begins – one that challenges everything they thought they knew about success, sincerity, and each other.
I had originally requested this book on Edelweiss, but was not granted the privilege of getting to read an advanced copy. Still, as its publish date drew closer, I followed the reviews pretty closely and knew that as soon as the book came out, I would need to read it immediately. I had to wait to be able to buy it, but once responsibilities were out of the way, I secured my copy and leapt in immediately, something I almost never do anymore.
This book was wholly worth the wait. It is a wonderful intersection for writers and readers alike and imparts some very true observations about both vocations. The book made me not only want to be a better reader but a better writer as well, and for that I am grateful. It made me realize that, in order to be a better reader/writer/reviewer, I really need to keep up with what it is I’m trying to do or say. Pretty words are great, but when they say nothing, they are just empty, vapid, and shallow.
The novel is told through two points of view: On one hand, we have dejected author Parker Navarro, who has been panned by a specific critic two books in a row. On the other hand, we have the harsh critic herself, Selina Chan, who believes that while Parker has the ability to write, he doesn’t seem to yet grasp what it is he is trying to say. The book begins after Selina’s pan (negative review) of Parker’s newest novel and launches from there. After a chance meeting at a publishing party that blows up into feud-like proportions on social media, readers are ferried along through the streets of New York as the two both come to terms with what it means to be a writer and what it means to be a reader. Both characters were well drawn and had their own unique voice. I really enjoyed both perspectives and being in the characters’ heads really helped to hit home the message that Robinson is conveying. It turns out that both had a lot to say and a lot to teach me.
The novel truly made me think over what I wanted from my reading life, what I wanted from my writing life, and what I need to do in order to better myself in both aspects and move forward. I think this was an excellent book to read just before the start of Novel November, which I will be participating in. This is will definitely be a book that I will be returning to if I ever feel that I have lost my way as a reader or as a writer. It’s not an instructional book by any means, but it does lay bare its meaning in the best of ways and really shows Robinson’s love for reading and writing and her intention to impart that love onto her readers.
This was a five-star read for me and will absolutely be on the list of my favorite reads for the year. Bad Words is a great book for avid readers who like to read about books themselves, writers, or just the general romance/literary fiction fan. If you have read it, what did it teach you, if anything?
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