Little, Big > Likes and Comments

Ah, I see you deleted the previous entry with all the comments. I’m here to say my piece again, same thing I said yesterday:

“This has got to be one of the worst moves in history. Promoting a book here? Nah, don’t do that. For anyone reading and might not already know this, Neil Gaiman is currently accused by seven women (two off the record) of sexual assault. There are several articles and a whole podcast reporting on this ( including interviews with his victims, audios of recorded voice mails sent by him to the women and recorded phone calls also — pretty damning stuff). You’ll find the podcasts if you google “Tortoise Media podcast Neil Gaiman sexual assault allegations”. The podcasts are also available on Spotify, I believe. What he himself admits to doing to the women is already quite shocking in my opinion. I certainly won’t be supporting any project of his in light of this current situation. “

Wow. Five women have accused Neil Gaiman of sexual assault, and this is his first official post after the allegations?

Shocked this is what you're posting. Anyone curious, look up Tortoise Media podcast Neil Gaiman sexual assault allegations. Don't believe the women? Believe what Neil himself has said - he doesn't deny any of the relationships.

oh my god it’s his GOODREADS. let him be. he’s obviously not gonna post about it on here

Note to anyone who doesn't know but Neil Gaiman is facing credible sexual assault allegations from 6 women. He continues not to comment on them. Like a coward.

I mistrust these references on this venue to said allegations.

Ty for posting this, it served as a reminder that I need to unfollow NG’s goodreads account

Yvonne wrote: "I mistrust these references on this venue to said allegations."

Well, you're wrong. He's not absolved of anything just because you like his books.

Really shameful you that this is the first post after all the horrible allegations have come out, including recordings of Neil's own admissions to many of these acts. Just despicable.

He's likely been instructed by legal counsel to NOT make any comment on these matters, as it will almost certainly end up in court.

Why would this not be an appropriate venue to complain?

Lutzi wrote: "Ah, I see you deleted the previous entry with all the comments. I’m here to say my piece again, same thing I said yesterday:

“This has got to be one of the worst moves in history. Promoting a book..."

Allegations. So …. nothing. Has he been charged?

This is an information post about Little, Big or, The Fairies' Parliament, by John Crowley. None of the comments above contribute anything to a discussion about the subject of the post, just tittle-tattle about the poster. Please remember from the Goodreads guidelines that "Goodreads is a community where you can discuss exactly what brought you here in the first place—books!"

Nicholas wrote: "Allegations. So ... nothing. Has he been charged?"

My abuser was never charged. Most aren't. Have you heard the recordings of Neil, in his own voice, admit to doing "terrible" things, saying that this was all his fault, and offering women money to make up for what he did?

Thank you, Heidi. That's terrible. @Lycra - the books wouldn't exist without the writers, so it is quite difficult to divorce one from the other, especially when one is so beloved as Neil, and thought of as such a champion for women.

Heidi wrote: "Nicholas wrote: "Allegations. So ... nothing. Has he been charged?"

My abuser was never charged. Most aren't. Have you heard the recordings of Neil, in his own voice, admit to doing "terrible" thi..."
Awful that you were abused. But guilty until proven innocent, right? The only thing achieved by publicly posting unproven allegations is undermining the possibility of a fair trial, should he be charged and indicted.

Will wrote: "Thank you, Heidi. That's terrible. @Lycra - the books wouldn't exist without the writers, so it is quite difficult to divorce one from the other, especially when one is so beloved as Neil, and thou..."
It’s not about divorcing the content from the writer. It is against Goodreads’ comment policy to post anything that could be considered “harassing content, threats, attacks on the author's character, and/or retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile statements against others.” I’m not defending his actions, but Goodreads isn’t the place for people to be piling on to Neil Gaiman because someone else posted a fun little update via his account. Leave Goodreads a chill library space and take your opinions to social media or your friends.

Eris, what part of "harassing content, threats, attacks on the author's character, and/or retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile statements against others," did I post? We're just posting facts, and if you want us to start posting quotes from Neil, we can do that as well.

The only thing achieved by publicly posting unproven allegations is undermining the possibility of a fair trial, should he be charged and indicted.

The allegations haven't been proven in court, but everyone is free to listen to the testimony and decide for themself whether they think Gaiman is the abuser, the victim, or somewhere in between. And then they are free to talk about it as they see fit.

The fact that someone is "innocent until proven guilty" in court doesn't mean they can suppress all discussion about what they might have done. Doing so creates a conspiracy of silence in which abusers are free to go on and on hurting people, because no individual by themself can ever prove what happened behind a closed door.

Imagine is someone you loved told you something like this had happened. Would your response be, "Well, you can't prove it, so we'd best keep quiet" ? Would you tell people not to discuss what had happened because the alleged perpetrator hadn't been found guilty in court?

Talking about these things publicly prevents abusers from carrying on. It's arguably far better at doing so than the courts are, since these kinds of crime are almost by definition, impossible to prove beyond any doubt.

I think the point here is that Neil Gaiman has made a choice to promote his essay in someone else's piece of work here on Goodreads. He didn't have to do that. He hasn't helped himself or the author of this book, who I'm sure is oblivious to all of this.

The reason for people's reaction is that he's kept silent about this thus far for more than 2 months and then his first piece of public engagement is to ask someone else to promote something that he's written in someone else's book..

To put it mildly this is called "not reading the room".

I think what Neil needs to realize is that he is no longer an asset to any other author. No longer will people want him to write the forward to their books. No longer will his quotes on the front of books the guaranteed to boost their sales.


On the contrary, people will wrinkle their noses in disgust at the association and the author unfortunate enough to have Neil Gaiman thrust upon them by well-meaning editors will find that they are affected by association.

So therefore it is relevant that we have this kind of discourse on Goodreads because powerful authors names are used to boost other authors.

But when those powerful authors who deliberately cultivated relationships with their young fans are unmasked, they have to be prepared to take the consequences, both economic and reputational.

Yvonne wrote: "I mistrust these references on this venue to said allegations."
Then listen to the Podcast that everyone is listing.

Clarity wrote: "I think the point here is that Neil Gaiman has made a choice to promote his essay in someone else's piece of work here on Goodreads. He didn't have to do that. He hasn't helped himself or the autho..."

You hit the nail on the head.

Wow. After months of silence after the allegations, this is what you post? Shame on you. The best time to delete this was before you posted it. The second best time is now.

Yvonne wrote: "I mistrust these references on this venue to said allegations."

Then maybe trust what Gaiman himself has said about the allegations. He doesn't deny these relationships that have deeply troubling power dynamics. He just denies the lack of consent.

I am so disappointed that the first thing that comes out from you, since these horrific allegations, is simply this. Even more shameful if you continue to delete comments that are simply calling you out for what you have done. I used to adore your books and shamefully, I believed when you professed yourself to be a safe space for women. You fooled so many people and I am so disappointed.

I believe the women. We should ALL believe the women.

Well said by most people here. Terrible acts by Mr. Gaiman and a stupid decision to post about this book.

I think many commenters are missing the first line of this message: posted by Dan Guy

If you read the post, it was not posted by Neil Gaiman. It was posted by his web admin using his account. Get off your high horse, your target is not in sight

Lutzi wrote: "Ah, I see you deleted the previous entry with all the comments. I’m here to say my piece again, same thing I said yesterday:

“This has got to be one of the worst moves in history. Promoting a book..."

“On a day like today it’s worth saying, I believe survivors. Men must not close our eyes and minds to what happens to women in this world. We must fight, alongside them, for them to be believed, at the ballot box & with art & by listening, and change this world for the better.” — Neil Gaiman

Will wrote: "Why would this not be an appropriate venue to complain?"

Because it upsets the delicate sensibilities of a few Good Omens fans. They can’t enjoy their favourite show in peace with all this annoying ruckus we’re making.

Neil, I've been a fan since I read Sandman and Coraline as a kid and I gotta level with you. Your actions against women have cast a lot of your writing in a pretty bad light. It might be time for a sabbatical where you work on repairing some of what you've done. Until then, I gotta unfollow your account. Please do better.

David wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "I mistrust these references on this venue to said allegations."

Then maybe trust what Gaiman himself has said about the allegations. He doesn't deny these relationships that have de..."

Honestly, oppressive behavior is oppressive behavior. Non-consensual relations are not the only sort of trauma inflicted by an intimate partner in a position of power. Our highly Christian society is shocked at se*ual assault but mostly b/c of se* as an amplifier. Him acting like an ally, advocate, accountable reformed abuser while still splitting hairs on "consensual" abuse is him sidling up to survivor fans and using them as armor against accountability.

I'll say it again since my comment was removed. Comment on the allegations you coward.

Coercive control is rape by its very nature and nothing you've said to dispell the rumours implies that any of this was not coercive.

He may be guilty of all the things he is accused of. That would certainly make him guilty of causing severe harm to other people, for which he should be punished. However this is a book forum, and I still quite like his books.
Lots of good authors were horrible people. I will still read and enjoy their art. I find it sad that this case is limiting so many peoples ability to enjoy the things that Neil Gaiman has created.
It is possible to feel sympathy with the people who have accused him of misconduct and at the same time still recognize that good omens, just an example, is a good story.

Sebastian wrote: "He may be guilty of all the things he is accused of. That would certainly make him guilty of causing severe harm to other people, for which he should be punished. However this is a book forum, and ..."

I don't see why I have to deprive myself of the pleasure of reading an excellent author's books just because they are an awful person. Let them be held accountable, thrown in jail, or whatever is appropriate, but I don't see why I need to be punished too.

Patrisia wrote: "Sebastian wrote: "He may be guilty of all the things he is accused of. That would certainly make him guilty of causing severe harm to other people, for which he should be punished. However this is ..."

...This isn't about you and if you want to continue reading his books. I don't see anyone asking you to stop reading his books.

ErisI think many commenters are missing the first line of this message: posted by Dan Guy

The web goblin himself has commented on Reddit to say that "Mr Gaiman" as he calls him, specifically asked him to make this post on his blog. He didn't do it independently. So therefore this is a message from Neil Gaiman.
He's obviously still thinking that he can add some value to this author's book release, whereas in fact, now that his own reputation is in tatters, people are now trying to avoid books that have him doing the forward. Unfortunately he's very prolific as a forward writer so that becomes tricky.

My first comment got removed so I'll say it again: say something about the allegations you coward.

Thanks Web Goblin. I bought the book. I hope Mr. Gaiman is well. These issues are hard enough, but must be even harder for some one with autism and mental health concerns. I hope he keeps his head down - he owes no one on the internet anything. If he is in the wrong, he owes a lot to the alleged victims. If the situation is more complicated than has been presented to the world, which it almost always is, then this is for him and his to work out.

I've never read a Gaiman before, what's a good one to start with, American Gods?

He's an incredible writer. INCREDIBLE! But it seem to be the case that he's a horrible person. We must separate the writing from the author

Aaron wrote: "I've never read a Gaiman before, what's a good one to start with, American Gods?"

It's my personal favourite of his.