Question: what would you do with his books after reading it? I have American Gods, Norse Mythology, and two short story collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. They were my safe books when I was a teen, read them religiously, to shreds.
After reading that article… I… Just… What would you do with those books? They mean so much to me… But… Gaiman is monstrous.
If you’ve experienced SA and abuse, be warned, the article is extremely graphic and detailed. I’m so mad and upset.
I think its important to separate the art from the artist. For example: Starship is humanity’s best hope for a brighter future in space right now regardless of how you feel about Elon. And I love the harry potter books despite her take on things.
At the end of the day he already won in the sense that he has your money. Throwing the books out serves only to deprive you of something you enjoy.
I’m not saying forgive. And I wouldnt give them any more money (though i brought hogwats legacy when it was like 20 bucks). But whats done is done in the sense of purchasing them.
Never meet your heroes rings very true these days hey.
This is my view as well. You’ve already paid for the books. You’ve already supported him. Putting them in the bin doesn’t unsupport him. Although if it’s only going to bring you sadness seeing them on your bookshelf, or you don’t think you’ll be able to read them again knowing what sort of person he is, maybe a donation to an op shop might be an option.
I dunno. Donating the books is the option I’d choose, but it depends on your own beliefs, values, and moral compass. Personally, I don’t see it as supporting his work, because no money goes from the resale back to him or his agents in any form. And I’m pro preservation, and see destroying works created by awful people as throwing the baby out with the bathwater. But there’s also the angle that you could be introducing and enabling the spread of his works
Mine went in the recycling bin this morning. But 1, he’s not someone I idolised at all. I liked his kids books, struggled with his adult stuff, and hadn’t actually read anything of his in years, so I’m less attached than some.
And 2, as a librarian I’m long past the idea of books as sacred objects- mass market paperbacks anyway. I donate my unwanted books to the op shop but these will be unsellable at the moment, the op shop will just chuck them. And I’m quite used to putting large piles of withdrawn library books into the bin. But I know it shocks some people.
I’m currently reading that article as well! Weird. I have his books. His writing is VERY good and yet he is among the worst humanity has to offer. A classic dilemma.
Hang on to them for now, you don’t have to do anything with them right now or make a hasty decision.
Give it some time and revisit them, if you can bring yourself to read them again or it invokes I’ll feelings then maybe at that point think about getting rid of them.
It’s all going to depend how you think about them as a collection or keepsake and what you’ll feel about them by keeping them and if you do while reading them again.
Edit: It’s such a moral dilemma. Reminds me of the whole Gill Sans thing with Obama’s campaign. Not excuses, but I always think, this is only the stuff that has been brought to light about someone who has been caught/called out.
let’s wait for the trial , ( I’m a fan of putting people in prison )
regarding his books , I read Sandman among other books, gives the rape scenes a bit more context , 🤨 hence the accusations don’t surprise me.
( 30 minutes later, can’t get that Sandman book out of my head now. In the book the main character buys a Muse, a Greek goddess who inspires. He constantly rapes her and his writer’s block is overcome. 100% of Gaiman’s work is inspired by evil 🤮 )
the question is, who covered for him, who allowed him to get away with it for so long ,
what to do with the books , no idea, no one will want them
a good use would be burning in a wood stove this winter, otherwise, land fill
Mine are already packed, so I have some time to think before I need to look at them in person. When I discovered the vile things about MZB I ultimately decided to keep them. Gaiman is less embedded in my brain so I may not this time.
Scott Auckerman of Comedy Bang Bang has a rule you can enjoy an artist’s work until you found out. So you can go back an read the books you’ve already read, but maybe don’t go reading anything of Gaiman’s you haven’t before
So, the Vulture article about Neil Gaiman…
Question: what would you do with his books after reading it? I have American Gods, Norse Mythology, and two short story collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. They were my safe books when I was a teen, read them religiously, to shreds.
After reading that article… I… Just… What would you do with those books? They mean so much to me… But… Gaiman is monstrous.
If you’ve experienced SA and abuse, be warned, the article is extremely graphic and detailed. I’m so mad and upset.
Opinions/suggestions welcome.
I think its important to separate the art from the artist. For example: Starship is humanity’s best hope for a brighter future in space right now regardless of how you feel about Elon. And I love the harry potter books despite her take on things. At the end of the day he already won in the sense that he has your money. Throwing the books out serves only to deprive you of something you enjoy.
I’m not saying forgive. And I wouldnt give them any more money (though i brought hogwats legacy when it was like 20 bucks). But whats done is done in the sense of purchasing them.
Never meet your heroes rings very true these days hey.
This is my view as well. You’ve already paid for the books. You’ve already supported him. Putting them in the bin doesn’t unsupport him. Although if it’s only going to bring you sadness seeing them on your bookshelf, or you don’t think you’ll be able to read them again knowing what sort of person he is, maybe a donation to an op shop might be an option.
I dunno. Donating the books is the option I’d choose, but it depends on your own beliefs, values, and moral compass. Personally, I don’t see it as supporting his work, because no money goes from the resale back to him or his agents in any form. And I’m pro preservation, and see destroying works created by awful people as throwing the baby out with the bathwater. But there’s also the angle that you could be introducing and enabling the spread of his works
Look up the list of Weinstein produced movies. If you’re going to only consume ethical media, you’re going to have to cut a whole lot out.
I’m aware of Weinstein. I cringe every time I watch a beloved movie and his company name pops up.
There is no ethical consumption under capitalism.
lotr 😔
Yeah that’s the movies I was thinking of 😭
Mine went in the recycling bin this morning. But 1, he’s not someone I idolised at all. I liked his kids books, struggled with his adult stuff, and hadn’t actually read anything of his in years, so I’m less attached than some.
And 2, as a librarian I’m long past the idea of books as sacred objects- mass market paperbacks anyway. I donate my unwanted books to the op shop but these will be unsellable at the moment, the op shop will just chuck them. And I’m quite used to putting large piles of withdrawn library books into the bin. But I know it shocks some people.
Oh neat. Same profession as me.
I dislike the withdraw bin, but it stops ‘helpful’ people bring the discards straight back to you!
I’m currently reading that article as well! Weird. I have his books. His writing is VERY good and yet he is among the worst humanity has to offer. A classic dilemma.
Throw them out if it makes you feel better
agree, his writing is very good
This is a hard one.
Do you often reread them?
Hang on to them for now, you don’t have to do anything with them right now or make a hasty decision.
Give it some time and revisit them, if you can bring yourself to read them again or it invokes I’ll feelings then maybe at that point think about getting rid of them.
It’s all going to depend how you think about them as a collection or keepsake and what you’ll feel about them by keeping them and if you do while reading them again.
I just read the Variety article. 🤢 shudders
Edit: It’s such a moral dilemma. Reminds me of the whole Gill Sans thing with Obama’s campaign. Not excuses, but I always think, this is only the stuff that has been brought to light about someone who has been caught/called out.
I would like to interview the wife. 🤨
Palmer?
There is this article.
these are accusations of serious crimes
let’s wait for the trial , ( I’m a fan of putting people in prison )
regarding his books , I read Sandman among other books, gives the rape scenes a bit more context , 🤨 hence the accusations don’t surprise me.
( 30 minutes later, can’t get that Sandman book out of my head now. In the book the main character buys a Muse, a Greek goddess who inspires. He constantly rapes her and his writer’s block is overcome. 100% of Gaiman’s work is inspired by evil 🤮 )
the question is, who covered for him, who allowed him to get away with it for so long ,
what to do with the books , no idea, no one will want them
a good use would be burning in a wood stove this winter, otherwise, land fill
.
There are unpaywalled links in both r/books and twoxchromosomes if you can stomach the details. It’s bad and there is probably more.
.
so he knows it’s wrong and feels some guilt
in fact they all do, that’s why they do these things in secret
.
2 options: Take a photo and toss them or pack them away.
Mine are already packed, so I have some time to think before I need to look at them in person. When I discovered the vile things about MZB I ultimately decided to keep them. Gaiman is less embedded in my brain so I may not this time.
Scott Auckerman of Comedy Bang Bang has a rule you can enjoy an artist’s work until you found out. So you can go back an read the books you’ve already read, but maybe don’t go reading anything of Gaiman’s you haven’t before