A while back I was reading a book (I'm not gonna say the title) where a character was describing his fantasies. His fantasies where so violent and disgusting that I as a reader felt ashamed of even reading the words. This went on for a while and I started to wonder what kind of a mind could come up with such a thing.
Like I wondered if the author must have had some of these fantasies too, in some shape or form.
I once even imagined some future news story where the author commits a crime, like in real life. And the police go to his house and discover hundreds of pages of descriptions and illustrations of murder and rape. And as always happens in such cases, neighbors being interviewed say they had no idea and the guy was so quiet and polite.
Then I felt bad about having had these thoughts and reactions. I was judging the author. After all, these are stories, not reality. Just as someone who write fantastic romantic novels may be a terrible romantic partner in life, someone writing about a psychopath taking his time and torturing an animal for days may be the kind of person who would never hurt a fly.
Nevertheless, I kept wondering how I would feel about it if the author was my roommate. Or if he was a new neighbor. Would I trust him? Would I be willing to go on a fishing trip with him, just the two of us alone?
Sorry, I'm rambling, just wanted to share some thoughts and see if anybody can relate. Keep in mind, this is about fictional books to which you have very strong never emotional reactions. Non-fiction is almost the opposite. You just feel so bad for the author, for having been through unnamable and incomprehensible pain and suffering.
by davecopperfield
5 Comments
I read Naked Lunch so yes, I absolutely relate in judging the author.
Can’t remember the name but I read a book where a guy sleeps with someone under the age of 7 (I think) and then during the court case uses the fact that she had asked him to sleep with her as justification. I think the entire book was trying to justify why him sleeping with her was actually perfectly okay. So I can definitely relate to the disgust I felt towards the author.
Never, it only ruins the book for me. I try to get into the mindset of the author and what their vision might be.
I think it’s fine to judge authors. Your little fantasies about the author must have been satisfying and fun.
When you find authors you like there is a lot of trust you build up in them. I read the Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Such a great book. I dove immediately into The Little Friend and was so bitterly disappointed by the ending. I’ll never read another one of her books.
I think the first time I judged an author was reading The Earth Children series (Clan of the Cave Bear series) by Jean Auel. She wrote the sexiest love scenes. I was young and it was very informative and fun! But Jean Auel looks like a fat, dumpy college professor. How could she know about this fantastic sex? 😂 what did she know about lithe, tight bodies?
Lolita.