This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Can you compartmentalize your feelings for an author from the book’s they have written?

My entire last week was spent reading the same book. A 900+ behemoth and the sixth book in a series, The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith aka J. K. Rowling. I love this series, but I’ll admit I too have mixed feelings about reading a book written by an author who has made transphobic remarks. I don’t agree with her remarks at all and knowing her feelings, it’s hard not to read one of her books without keeping an eye out towards any hidden agendas or feelings.

J. K. Rowling known for the uber popular Harry Potter novels in my eyes ruined her rep as a beloved novelist a couple of years ago and despite my anger towards her beliefs did not wait to pick up the most recent novel in the Cormoran Strike series. Do I feel bad about supporting this author by reading her novels? Yeah. How do I rationalize it to myself? I really don’t do much rationalizing although I didn’t purchase the book but borrowed a copy through the library, so I can feel kind of good about that. Why do I keep reading her books? I feel like I’ve developed a relationship with these characters and it’s hard to not read their story to its conclusion. I’m invested. Just like I”m invested in Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts movie franchise. But, I do feel like I should be shouting out my pro-trans and LGBTQ+ feelings just to disassociate myself from someone who uses her power for ill.

Here’s a question, are you better at separating yourself from authors, actors, politician’s, whomever! Do you sit quietly and stew? Join protest marches? Don’t buy their books and go to movies? How evil does someone have to get before it causes a reaction from you? I’ll admit, during a political season I will get off my couch and vote to try to keep someone I disagree with intensely from holding office but an author who lives a continent away? I am disenchanted, yes. I still picked up the book and read it- although I didn’t buy it. I will also be writing a review which is a way of supporting sales for that book, or not depending on what I thought of it. I wouldn’t vote her into our government, that’s for sure.

I use J. K. Rowling as an example because I’ve just finished this book, but there are many popular figures that this thought could be applied to. I obviously have mixed feelings and so I thought I’d just open this thought up for discussion, if any of you should like to make a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Deb

14 thoughts on “This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Can you compartmentalize your feelings for an author from the book’s they have written?”

  1. That is a great question! I struggle with continuing to support J.K Rowling. My kids also struggle. We all love Harry Potter but definitely don’t agree with the author. There’s that saying about not meeting your heroes. I cannot think of another author but there are a few musicians that I cannot support.

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    1. There are a couple of authors here in the states who have recently gotten involved in politics and I can’t help but think if that helps or hurts them personally and in book sales? I know if I don’t agree with them I am more apt to not purchase their books. Of course, the JK comments were after she already had a fan base built around books we’ve all read. I will say this, she’s a talented writer. I just wish she kept all of her comments to her own space and not foist it upon all of us. I feel guilty for reading a book or books that I’ve enjoyed. It’s a difficult subject for sure!

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      1. Guilt is useless. If I thought about it, I’m guessing that every artist has done something that I would disapprove of. I hate drug use. Can you imagine if I didn’t read, or look at or attend plays or movies of people who did drugs?

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      2. I guess I don’t really consider guilt useless, which is why I started this conversation. I wanted to see if my feelings were common and how other people have reacted or not reacted to making a change. I do get what you’re saying about drugs, which I don’t think falls into the same category but I feel the same. However, drugs make me uncomfortable enough to not watch or read books where that subject is a centerpoint to the plot. I get surprised occasionally, of course but I do avoid that topic. So, how hard would it be to avoid an author or actor who have been hateful? After all, I did avoid Tom Cruise for years and that was only because he made me uncomfortable jumping on a couch and following scientology. LOL I do get that we are all different and will react differently to what hurts us individually. Those differences are what makes discourse so fun! LOL. Thanks so much for commenting!

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  3. honestly, as a book reviewer of 8 years who’s intersectionally marginalized and also a physics and anthropology student, i’ve had to face the fact that most authors’ sociopolitical views inevitably seep into their work. culture and other sociopolitical factors have always shaped who we are and how we function in the world to a MASSIVE degree and because art comes from us and is shared with others, naturally it is shaped both by our own beliefs and the beliefs of those we share it with. And in the end, even if the impact of a work was unintentional, i very much believe in impact over intent. case in point: you may not have *intended* to step on someone’s toe and break it, but that doesn’t negate the fact that the other person is left with a broken toe and a hospital bill. obviously, we can’t keep track of everyone’s beliefs/negative impacts, but once you’re made aware, i think it’s important to listen to and learn from those affected and, if the author/artist is still alive, my policy is to cease economic and social support. great discussion!

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment! I work for an Arts organization and agree that the creator’s belief’s shape their art. Luckily, in my own organization the mission is to make sure our efforts are towards diversity, equality and inclusion. It is very hard to become aware of a talented author’s whose work you have admired and hear them spew hurtful and even in some cases hateful words. In this case specifically, you wonder how a woman who wrote the Harry Potter books could reach a world of people with these magical stories whose message is a good versus evil theme can then have such surprising and horrible views towards the trans community. I agree the right thing to do is to learn and move away from people whose beliefs are not inclusive and hurtful. It’s a work in progress and easier said than done and I admire you tremendously for having the fortitude to make those efforts. Your message makes me want to make the right choices in the future. Thank you for speaking up!

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  4. This is a great conversation to start. As someone that works with individuals with varied abilities, I have put my discomfort for her aside when supporting THEM with their interest in Harry Potter because I know the characters are a huge comfort and powerful to relate with, and often many of them don’t read voluntarily so that is huge for them. However I really can’t justify it to myself to read more of her books sadly. I was 9 when Harry Potter came out and 11 when I truly got into it, so saying Harry Potter was MY ENTIRE CHILDHOOD is legit…. however as part of the LGBTQ community, seeing the comments that she has made on multiple occasions is infuriating. I think the biggest thing that bothers me about her and makes it hard for me to separate art from artist is that her opinions aren’t political, they’re against humans. Dismissing someone for living their life openly as transgender isn’t one political value or the other, it’s saying that entire group of humans is invalid/not worthy. These days there are too many priviledged white people speaking out for against the human rights of different diverse groups that I just can’t stand for her or her art. Unfortunately for me it was extremely easy to pop her books into a donation bin (after painting “TRANS LIVES MATTER” in the cover of each one)

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    1. Good point! Her views are against humans, not political, although her audience is even larger than a normal politicians with the exception of maybe the President and therefore her statements make a larger impact and may be even more harmful. Thank goodness she doesn’t have the power to set laws too. I was born into white privilege and am a hetero female so I can’t speak to your own feelings at all nor would I try to. I admire your decision to cut her off and remove that negativity from your life. All of these comments are making me feel even more like I am heading in that direction as well. Thank you so much for your comment! It has made a difference for me.

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      1. I really appreciate your openness to hear opinions from others and allow your mind to explore different options! It’s the most refreshing to have an OPEN conversation with someone as you’re having in the comments as often these conversations are my way or the highway

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      2. Thank you so much! I was really feeling weird about having read this most recent Cormoran Strike novel and wondered how others feel and thought to ask the question. I feel like I am open minded but still have a lot to learn and certainly don’t think because I do something everyone must follow and have the same opinion. Discussions should be open and I appreciate everything everyone has said! You all have certainly made me think and have helped me with this conundrum of not knowing what to do with my feelings so thank you all! I really do appreciate this discussion!

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