I was about to pick up house in the Cerulean sea and a few of TJ klunes other books that I own and of course he’s problematic. It has to do with the 60s scoop that involved Native Americans and what horrible things happen to them. My father being a part of that as a Native American himself and a young teen when it happened. He basically used a traumatic time in history as inspiration for his story house in the Cerulean sea. Which is not okay and he’s coming out with a second book to that one next year. I don’t think the publishers should be going forward with this next book but of course they will cuz it’s going to make them money. Should I now tell people the talk about this book but he’s problematic and after that let them do their own research or not say anything?
Sometimes you just have to separate the artist from the art. You can acknowledge that the art is good and maybe the person behind it is just so-so. If you find they are too problematic to support, buy their books second hand if you still want to read them. People are not perfect and art is created from all different sources. I feel this is true through lots of art scenes, especially in music.
A lot of people would tell you that you can’t do that even though at least that’s what a few people on book talk were saying last night
It is so easy to be seen as problematic these days. Everything we say and do is put on the internet for thousands to see. If you scrutinize someone’s life you’re likely to find things you don’t agree with. No one is perfect. That goes for artists of all types. I’m not saying what is going on with TJ Klune is right or wrong. But you can certainly choose how you support people you think are problematic. Buying second hand books doesn’t support the author at all and I think if you are worried about it, learning about the history that surrounds the story is another good step. Make yourself aware of that history and if you feel compelled to do something in support of that history all the better.
You don’t have to deny yourself good art because the artist is problematic. Maybe just be more conscious of how you support them and the history around their stories.