Would an author's personal life/views affect whether or not you read their work?

[LauraT]

Gill wrote: "I understand what you say about Knut Hamsun. I actually started this thread because of the poetry poll, and the difficulties I have with Ungaretti. I can't make my mind up about Ezra Pound either. ..."

What's your problem with poor Ungaretti Gill? I understand Erza Pound, or D'Annunzio - I don't even like how they write let alone What they write!!! But Ungaretti?
I know he signet the manifesto of fascists intellectuals, but his poetry is so great, especially his early poem, way before that time, that I can't link him so much to our worst historical period.
You all know how I think about fascism, but this maybe a prove that great literature works are above political belives...

[Lee]

perhaps..depends on situation or view.

[LauraT]

Lee wrote: "perhaps..depends on situation or view."

Yes probably you're right. And also on what they say in the work: I wouldn't stand a defence of racism or fascism, however beautifully written...

[Lee]

I admire Dean Koontz, as he does work with animals and he has a wicked sense of humor. Thus incorporating both into his storylines!!

[Dhanaraj]

LauraT wrote: "Gill wrote: "I understand what you say about Knut Hamsun. I actually started this thread because of the poetry poll, and the difficulties I have with Ungaretti. I can't make my mind up about Ezra P..."

Oh! By the way I have D'Anuunzio's book Pleasure waiting in my To Read shelf.

[LauraT]

Don't think I'll ever read that. Luca did when really joung, and said it wasn't that bad, but I don't like his boisterous style ...

[Dhanaraj]

LauraT wrote: "Don't think I'll ever read that. Luca did when really joung, and said it wasn't that bad, but I don't like his boisterous style ..."

I will try that out. It is part of Decadence Literature. And I have not read any book of that period. I wanted to try it and by adding D'Annunzio's book I could also expand my Italian Literature shelf.

[Gill]

LauraT wrote: "Gill wrote: "I understand what you say about Knut Hamsun. I actually started this thread because of the poetry poll, and the difficulties I have with Ungaretti. I can't make my mind up about Ezra P..."

I think what you said maybe comes over a bit stronger than you mean, Laura. We can all have our own opinions in this discussion, can't we?

[LauraT]

Probably is my english: I did'n't mean any offence Gill. Sorry if I gave you this impression.

[B the BookAddict]

I have found our spoken words do not often translate all that well into forums. I have offended someone recently when I actually was saying something humorous:(

We can't hear the tone and so the meaning can be misconstrued.

[Gill]

LauraT wrote: "Probably is my english: I did'n't mean any offence Gill. Sorry if I gave you this impression."

That's ok, Laura. Just imagine how it would be if I tried to express myself in Italian!

[LauraT]

Bette BookAddict wrote: "I have found our spoken words do not often translate all that well into forums. I have offended someone recently when I actually was saying something humorous:(

We can't hear the tone and so the ..."

That's exactly so!!!
Gill wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Probably is my english: I did'n't mean any offence Gill. Sorry if I gave you this impression."

That's ok, Laura. Just imagine how it would be if I tried to express myself in Italian!"
I'm glad you understood. Really I was only trying to be humorous!!!

[B the BookAddict]

Dhanaraj wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Don't think I'll ever read that. Luca did when really joung, and said it wasn't that bad, but I don't like his boisterous style ..."

I will try that out. It is part of Decadence Lit..."

Dhanaraj, can you please define Decadence Literature for me? I'm ignorant here; just call me Batty:P

[LauraT]

Have you six months Bette!!!
Decadentism ... Start thinking about Oscar Wilde. But D'Annunzio is nowhere near him!!!

[Dhanaraj]

Bette BookAddict wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Don't think I'll ever read that. Luca did when really joung, and said it wasn't that bad, but I don't like his boisterous style ..."

I will try that out. It is part..."

Let me give you just two links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decadent...

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...

[B the BookAddict]

Dhanaraj wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Don't think I'll ever read that. Luca did when really joung, and said it wasn't that bad, but I don't like his boisterous style ..."

I will...

Let me give you just two links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decadent...

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t... "

Thanks! I've bookmarked these pages. Currently I've only read Oscar Wilde. Also Edna St. Vincent Millay but I think she is more Romanticism.

[Alice]

The term "Decadent Movement" sounds a bit derogatory to me, especially when it is associated with Oscar Wilde's works, which were looked upon with such prejudice and intolerance by the society of his times.

[Dhanaraj]

A quote from Julian Barnes' Flaubert's Parrot.

"Why does the writing make us chase the writer? Why can't we leave well alone? Why aren't the books enough? Flaubert wanted them to be: few writers believed more in the objectivity of the written text and the insignificance of the writer's personality; yet still we disobediently pursue."

[Daniel]

It would not necessarily stop me reading them but it does inform how I interpret what they say. Joyce's bigotry does ruin Ulysses for me I have never seen what others see in it. However Eliot's bigotry doesn't affect how I like his poetry. So I am guessing it is how much their views are in their work that counts.
As to their life story - everyone's writing is about their experiences. To that extent their lives and writing are one and the same. But it is very important to get authentic accounts of their lives and not thrid hand opinions. Just as writers may have agendas so too do family members and critics.

[LauraT]

Daniel wrote: "It would not necessarily stop me reading them but it does inform how I interpret what they say. Joyce's bigotry does ruin Ulysses for me I have never seen what others see in it. However Eliot's big..."

I think this is the main point: how their life - political, ideological, religious views - affects their writings ...
One other consideration, which came to my mind after what Jill and Dhanaraj were saying about Ungaretti or Pirandello.
In Italy we tend to "forget" that in the '30s a lot of intellectuals were, more or less, mingled with Mussolini and the fascists.
We underline this fact only with those minor authors like Filippo Tommaso Marinetti or Gabriele Dannunzio.
I've never been reminded that Ungaretti had signed the Manifesto of fascists intellectuals, same as Pirandello, when studying his poetry.
It is true, probably he did it not because he believed in it, but simply "not to have troubles", but that's not an excuse. A lot of other intellectuals didn't sign it and paid for the consequences, loosing their job, their home and often their life.
I'd like for you to read a touching letter that Jaime Pintor wrote to his brother on this themes just before leaving his University carrear and going with the Partisan fighting Mussolini. He was killed soon after

[Noorilhuda]

This is exactly why I do not approve of social networking sites for authors! In the good old days, it didn't matter who the writer was - you just read his / her stuff - now there's so much gamesmanship involved to be approved of!

[Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition]

But if we are to censor what we read according to the author's personal views, are we also to look into the personal life of the local book seller, the jewelry store owner or the doctor who treats us when we are sick? What about the morals of the man I am letting into my house next week to clean my fireplace and chimney? I am paying him, but I have no idea what kind of person he is.

[B the BookAddict]

@Terry "Ignorance is bliss where tis folly to be wise."

from Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College by Thomas Gray.

Although this is possibly one of the most misconstrued phrases in English literature. Gray is not promoting ignorance, but is reflecting with nostalgia on a time when he was allowed to be ignorant, his youth.

[B the BookAddict]

I do not seek a author's moral compass on purpose, but once negative facts become knowledge for me, then I won't read their books.

[Marina]

Hey, thanks for bringing back this old thread, I hadn't seen it yet and I believe it's very interesting.

I agree with Dhanaraj, I think books should be read for the book's sake, and many times I wish I hadn't known anything (or not so much) about the author. I just like reading books, full stop.

As an example I could talk about my favorite author ever, Elias Canetti, who was a mysoginist, an adulterer, and a "playboy", shall we say. If you read Party in the Blitz he clearly comes out as a very horrible person. I was very angry when I read that book, because it was put together by some scholars after his death, and I sincerely doubt it was how he would have wanted it to be. And no, I wouldn't have wanted to know such things about his life, no way. And yet, he is still my favorite author ever, and I doubt anyone could replace his books in my heart.

Also, I had never thought about the distinction, made by Anastasia, among dead and living authors, but I find it sensible enough. I'll have to think about it.

[Pink]

B the BookAddict wrote: "I do not seek a author's moral compass on purpose, but once negative facts become knowledge for me, then I won't read their books."

Yep, this. I don't ever look up things about an author before reading their books. Then if I really liked it, I might research more about their life etc.

On the other hand if I've already heard bad things about an author, that I really don't agree with, then I'll avoid. Not if they're dead, but if they're still alive and earning revenue/ popularity from sales and readership.

This is quite a good link about offensive authors, I'd read all of their books for example.
http://airshipdaily.com/blog/02032014...

[B the BookAddict]

Pink, that link was interesting. I can stand up for T.S. Eliot and say that he did later withdraw those statements and changed his views away from anti-semiticism.

[Leslie]

Terry wrote: "But if we are to censor what we read according to the author's personal views, are we also to look into the personal life of the local book seller, the jewelry store owner or the doctor who treats ..."

In the past (such as Victorian times & earlier), people did do just that -- which was why avoiding scandal was so important.

I am glad to not have to think about that & judge people on their professional skill rather than their moral status.

[Marina]

Pink, thanks for the link, very interesting indeed. My view however won't change, if I like the books, I'll keep reading them. But I can say I totally understand people not doing so.

[Charbel]

That's an interesting link, Pink.

I'm not sure if I can separate the author form his/her work. If I'm ignorant of their positions, I can easily enjoy their work without overthinking it. But once I find out that a particular author is racist, sexist, or anti-semitic, it seriously impacts the way I read their stuff. Little subtle cues, such as a particular turn of phrase, would start popping up and possibly ruin the entire experience for me.