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Should You Let a Writer’s Philosophy Put You Off Their Work?
One for readers this time.
Orson Scott Card is a homophobe. J.K. Rowling has sadly turned out to be a TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist). And we all remember the Lovecraft kerfuffle. On the more positive side, it’s hard to read Robert A. Heinlein’s juveniles without realizing that here is a man who loved the scouting movement which, with all its flaws, has done a lot for many young people across the globe.
Back to those negative ones, though. Should you stop reading a writer’s work because you disagree with their philosophy and beliefs? I tend to ask these questions:
Are They Still Alive?
Let’s start with this. Is the author literally dead. Because if they are, they aren’t benefitting from the sale of their works, and there’s no reason to be overly concerned about it.
Do They Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is?
What charities does the problem author donate to? Card, for example, is well known for donating money to organizations opposed to gay marriage. Which is why I have never actually bought any of his books. I still manage to own a signed first edition of Xenocide (long story), but if I want to read Card I’m going to the library.