Absolutely agreed that somebody who reads something that pisses them off enough to throw the book against the wall and posts about it has every right to their reaction, and to their voice.
Agreed as well that those who try to defend the author against accusations of racism (which weren't really made, and which the author felt no need to 'defend' against herself) are doing neither the author nor themselves any favors. Every reader is entitled to their own interpretation of the text, whatever the author's intent (unless perhaps they actually saw something that is completely contradicted by a plain reading of the text - had an interesting discussion once with somebody who interpreted Ged as an example of white privilege and had to be shown the passages where his skin and hair are actually described).
However, I don't think this is quite the right metaphor for the situation. Unless Elizabeth Bear is coming to your house to pick that book up and shove it back in front of your face, she IS NOT IN FACT STANDING ON YOUR FOOT AND REFUSING TO GET OFF.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-03-05 11:52 pm (UTC)Agreed as well that those who try to defend the author against accusations of racism (which weren't really made, and which the author felt no need to 'defend' against herself) are doing neither the author nor themselves any favors. Every reader is entitled to their own interpretation of the text, whatever the author's intent (unless perhaps they actually saw something that is completely contradicted by a plain reading of the text - had an interesting discussion once with somebody who interpreted Ged as an example of white privilege and had to be shown the passages where his skin and hair are actually described).
However, I don't think this is quite the right metaphor for the situation. Unless Elizabeth Bear is coming to your house to pick that book up and shove it back in front of your face, she IS NOT IN FACT STANDING ON YOUR FOOT AND REFUSING TO GET OFF.