Separating Authors and Their Writing
Recently the outspoken Orson Scott Card plunged headlong into controversy. It’s not the first time that Card has spoken out against same-sex marriage, but it may be his strongest attack on the subject.
Now to be honest I’m really not interested in rehashing arguments about same-sex marriage on a blog that is about science fiction and fantasy. You can probably guess my basic position from the rest of this article, but if you really want to know my reasons I guess you can send me an email or ask me on Twitter. What I’m more interested in is how people handle it when authors they take positions that are radically different than your own.
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Intellectual Differences
It can be annoying when someone you respect takes a position that’s clearly “wrong”. But when we’re talking about intellectual differences I find it quite easy to put the issue aside entirely when I’m reading an authors writing. Because while they may be “wrong”, they’re allowed to be. And obviously if they were to ever talk with me I could clear up their confusion.
Or they could be right… I suppose. Nah, that’s silly.
Moral Differences
Where it gets stickier, at least for me is when an author is not only holding but advocating moral positions that are radically different to my own. The problem is that not only do I think they are wrong, but I think that what they are doing is potentially harmful.
Does It Matter?
Well yes and no. On the one hand an authors politics, religion etc. does not necessarily have any bearing on his fiction. There are cases where it clearly does. Some authors have very obviously written works that promote a specific agenda. But in the case of authors like Scott Card I really don’t think that’s the case.
A lot of time and effort has gone into analyzing every word that Card has written sometimes with the clear intent of showing him to be homophobic and encouraging bigotry. But honestly I’ve yet to read a strong argument that there really is such an agenda in his fiction. I certainly haven’t seen it in any of his work that I have read.
Part of me thinks that an author’s work should be judged entirely on its own merits, not on the author’s religion, gender preference, how many affairs they have had (if any) etc.
However it’s hard to completely dismiss the fact that by buying an author’s work I am to an extent supporting them financially and potentially giving them a platform on which to speak. Successful authors are much more likely to get columns in magazines or on websites after all and they are far more likely to be read.
So, what do you do when an author who’s books you enjoy but who publicly takes moral positions you disagree with?
3 Comments, Comment or Ping
Simon Haynes
For me the book stands alone, independent of the author. If I’m that worried about not financially supporting the author because of some political, religious or other stance, I’ll just borrow from the library or look for a second-hand edition on ebay instead of buying a new copy. Never had to do so, mind you.
Aug 14th, 2008
Manxom Vroom
As they say, “it’s a free country.” People are free to believe what they like, to decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. I’ve never been a huge fan of Orson Scott Card, but I can see no reason to condemn his fiction for his personal beliefs. Robert Heinlein is another writer who falls into this category. Nobody can deny that his is one of the great masters of science fiction, even though he espoused some beliefs that are pretty far out there.
I personally think it’s a sign of intellectual maturity when a reader can separate the author from his or her creation. Human beings are complex, frustrating critters sometimes.
Manxom Vrooms last blog post..Dragonfly magick.
Aug 14th, 2008
Dave Tackett
Unless an author is a politician or donating their book profits to a bad cause, I can easily separate their views from their writing. For example I enjoy both Heinlein and Le Guin despite the fact that they have diametrically opposed viewpoints and both tend(ed) to beat the reader over the head with them.
Dave Tacketts last blog post..Aphelion, Comics, and More.
Aug 14th, 2008
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