Is it unreasonable to criticise a book without having read it?

[NumTumDeDum]

I have in mind 50 Shades of Grey as an example here but I suppose it could be any piece of writing - daily mail articles, political books.

I've read reviews of 50 shades, almost all those I read criticise the subject matter, the style of writing and several express a view that they wish they hadn't bothered to read it.

Can't remember why it came up but dp reckons you can't criticise something unless you've read it. Now normally I might be of that view, but in this case, I'm satisfied that particular book is a pile of shite. I refuse to read it. AIBU?

Someone on mumsnet linked to this before which I think anyone who disregards "pink books" should read.

I have been guilty of it myself.

Shutterbabe

I agree with what others have said up thread about how you can know a book isn't for you and state that, but if you are going to make a statement like "50 shades is shite" without having actually read it (rather than "I believe it is shite", or "it doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy") then you just make yourself look like a bit of a git.

FWIW I read 50 Shades after hearing it was awful as I was curious, and I agreed it was bad. But, I'm still glad I read it as my reasons for not liking it weren't the same as the reasons I'd heard it was bad, and now and least I know it's not for me. And while I thought the book was terrible, I still found myself judging a friend recently for ranting about how bad the book was when she hadn't actually read it herself.

Malenky a lot of my friends are incredibly snobbish over books. Personally I think many only buy a book in an attempt to sit and look intelligent with its cover on display
Thats why I love ereaders so much, you aren't judged because people can't see what you are reading.
I've recently finished a series of pure filth novels by Olivia Cunning, I loved every moment of them, they will never win any literary prizes but personally when I curl up in bed at night and want to read for an hour I don't want anything deep and meaningful, just something I can read without having to think too much about it.

I do not know of Olivia Cunning. I'll look her up.

I'm re-reading Michelle Magorian's books for children at the moment - they aren't too demanding and they make me happy. I have been guilty of the 'buying a book with a pretty cover' thing though - I've got a gorgeous coffee table book about Rogier van der Weyden which I've never really got into, but which sits looking lovely.

Of course you can decide whether you want to read a book or not; that's why none of us have read every book ever written. But no, you can't make a qualified judgement on a book's quality without reading it. And even then, it's all subjective really.

Oh dear, I've wandered in and simply repeated everyone else's opinions in slightly different words.

Malenky, look for her 'sinners' series.

I've been dabbling with Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree, a little reminiscing for me.