tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post655581865070325419..comments2023-11-05T04:04:22.437-08:00Comments on Temple Library Reviews: [Twitter Talks] Can you separate author from writing?Harry Markovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-67466153721734435312010-12-07T11:51:40.930-08:002010-12-07T11:51:40.930-08:00I certainly tend to be turned off by offensive sta...I certainly tend to be turned off by offensive statements made by authors. It's not intentional, but I haven't had the slightest interest in Card's books since I read about his views. On the other hand, an author expressing views that I agree with can make me prefer them even more (Terry Pratchett's stand on assisted suicide makes a lot of sense to me, and I don't know if I could adore the man any more than I already do). If they have time for their fans and are generally courteous to the public, even better (I'm thinking Gaiman here - he's a champ). My views are definitely tied up in what I read, but I don't see that as a bad thing.Kateastrophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202962518297465924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-58193846456154797462010-12-05T21:35:58.680-08:002010-12-05T21:35:58.680-08:00@Kate: Asher's beliefs on Global Warming were ...@Kate: Asher's beliefs on Global Warming were not so offensive as they are peculiar [at least for me] and they stood out, considering the majority firmly believes of the Warming. <br /><br />Even with a given free copy, I would not touch Card.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-89660422011100926492010-12-05T21:33:40.136-08:002010-12-05T21:33:40.136-08:00You are one of the few that can do that. I wish I ...You are one of the few that can do that. I wish I could, but if the person's views are particularly offensive, inside or outside [which is the case I'm discussing here] the fiction, I can't ignore that. Call me thin skinned.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-63697141104421402482010-12-05T21:23:31.644-08:002010-12-05T21:23:31.644-08:00Usually I can separate authors from their writings...Usually I can separate authors from their writings, just as I can usually separate actors from the movies they play in. It has to be an extreme case of offensiveness or attitude- interviews I've read with Nicholas Spark have deterred me from reading his books for instance. And as for Asher, there are lots of scientists who don't support the theory of Global Warming. Now, if an author doesn't believe in the Holocaust or something completely offensive to my core beliefs, then I might pass on reading their books. I've never read Card, and whatever inclination I had towards reading his books is diminished by his statements. But if someone handed me a free copy of one of his books, I'd probably read it just to see if his prejudices are reflected in his writing.Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-7262404649295459102010-12-05T15:03:28.028-08:002010-12-05T15:03:28.028-08:00Very interesting discussion.
For me it depends o...Very interesting discussion. <br /><br />For me it depends on if these views which may or may not be offensive to me are inserted into their literature. For stuff like this, if the writer can separate their personal beliefs from what they write, I don't usually see a problem. <br /><br />Then again, there is an author who I've seen has been deliberately insulting toward reviewers who do not enjoy their work. I won't read that person's stuff. If I don't have a right to think whatever I want to think about someone's book without being afraid of some sort of verbal retribution from the author, I have no interest in it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-16336037528163056612010-12-05T07:04:53.886-08:002010-12-05T07:04:53.886-08:00@ CJ: Well in that case it's very understandab...@ CJ: Well in that case it's very understandable you should stop reading. The point was to separate such opinions when they are voiced outside of fiction like in essays or web journals like the cases I've listed.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-82402977174935762882010-12-05T06:37:29.699-08:002010-12-05T06:37:29.699-08:00I've had a couple of authors through insults a...I've had a couple of authors through insults at my beliefs and my political affiliation in their novels. With both, it's almost to the point where I will stop reading their work. Why would I want to read an author who clearly wants nothing to do with me?<br /><br />On the other hand, I've never heard of Moon (that I'm aware of) but I will be going to check her out. <br /><br />Bottom line: Authors are entitled to their opinions but they're risking a lot if they put that opinion into their stories. <br /><br />cjhCJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07798965643027904154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-82613484429903610962010-12-05T05:57:06.899-08:002010-12-05T05:57:06.899-08:00@ Fat Roland: Woah, that is something chilling for...@ Fat Roland: Woah, that is something chilling for sure.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-41809214044170652182010-12-05T05:50:37.002-08:002010-12-05T05:50:37.002-08:00This is a comment from Senerity Womble, which appe...This is a comment from Senerity Womble, which appeared in my inbox, but somehow did not make the thread:<br /><br />It's an interesting topic. Funnily enough, Solelyfictional was blogging about it just yesterday: http://significantkinks.solelyfictional.org/?p=831 - she has a poll going, if you, or any of your readers would like to take part. She's focusing more specifically on online behaviour, and also asking whether positive author behaviour online influences people. It's fascinating. I feel like it does, but I can't think of any exact purchasing decisions I have made as a consequence.<br /><br />Actually, Orson Scott Card may be the one case. I lost all interest in reading his further work after I heard his views on homosexuality. Atwood's comments annoy me, but (whether she likes it or not) she has still *written* good SF, and although I get all over the marginalisation of genre as an issue, it's not something that tends to affect one's view of *people* as strongly, and hence doesn't colour the content of a book as much.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-70924105847144170912010-12-05T05:27:20.035-08:002010-12-05T05:27:20.035-08:00What SQT said, really.
I'm currently reading ...What SQT said, really.<br /><br />I'm currently reading Knut Hamsun's Hunger. He amazes me because he's a 19th century postmodernist. And he horrifies me because he ended up supporting the Nazi party.Fat Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11374906684948810408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-90718430328376221822010-12-05T03:28:21.487-08:002010-12-05T03:28:21.487-08:00Thank you for stopping by. :)Thank you for stopping by. :)Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-44417165359020088872010-12-05T03:20:01.831-08:002010-12-05T03:20:01.831-08:00Very nice introduction to the issue & the ensu...Very nice introduction to the issue & the ensuing discussion. Really interesting survey, and it is fascinating to read all the responses in one place.Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11276787635527273878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-88808344203534961242010-12-05T00:38:09.742-08:002010-12-05T00:38:09.742-08:00Oh, excellent point. It totally goes both ways, th...Oh, excellent point. It totally goes both ways, though I'm not sure whether the question automatically excludes trolls or not.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-42849285746514331132010-12-05T00:35:25.135-08:002010-12-05T00:35:25.135-08:00@ Bryan: Which is basically what all the people sa...@ Bryan: Which is basically what all the people said. It's good to see consistency. I'm glad that you can do this successfully. <br /><br />I minded most about Moon & Card was that their tone was offensive rather than their beliefs. Card went a bit too far for my taste.Harry Markovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140305922494369576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-17321642295675640092010-12-05T00:30:56.390-08:002010-12-05T00:30:56.390-08:00I can read an author if their bias doesn't ble...I can read an author if their bias doesn't bleed into their work. If they really offend me, I'm disinclined to try. But I also think readers can be really unfair when rushing to judgement. I read opinions everyday that offend me on Facebook. For some reason a lot of people have no problem voicing their opinions in a public setting and not caring about who they offend and then turn around and judge someone else for doing the same thing. I find the most judgmental are usually the biggest loudmouths in their own forum and the first to call for boycotts. Seems rather hypocritical to me.SQThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251030404220909306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3878336841714905515.post-81734909373179316592010-12-04T23:55:24.018-08:002010-12-04T23:55:24.018-08:00I personally would have to say it depends what the...I personally would have to say it depends what the opinion is and how much it invades their work. I thought Moon and Card should have stated their opinions with more tact. I think Moon, in particular, was villianized unfairly for stating what a lot of Americans believe. It should have instead prompted a healthy dialogue and reeducation on the falseness of Muslim stereotypes. And I actually don't believe in Global Warming myself, so I can't hold that against Asher. I think if a person was spreading hatred, anti-Semitism for example, and wove that into their work, I'd avoid reading them. I don't read a lot of Hitler. On the other hand, I don't agree with many authors' beliefs and still enjoy their books. It's just not a prerequisite.Bryan Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942472363470824138noreply@blogger.com