Separating Writing from it's Author

                                                            The Observer

Should I appreciate Picasso's art despite his brutal misogyny? Should I listen to Michael Jackson despite his child assault allegations? Should I watch Pirates of the Caribbean despite Johnny Depp's concerning past?  

Should art be separated from the artist?

This is no new question, yet it grows in relevance as the internet becomes a concrete part of our daily lives. We have access to every aspect of our favorite artists' opinions and actions. This question isn't limited to artists in any one field. We've seen controversial people in music, painting, acting and more.

The group I find the most thought-provoking in the context of this question is authors.

There are clear cut lines to avoid songs sung by so-and-so or steer clear of movies that one person is the star of. But when reading a book, the author has little to no presence in your experience?

Not only is the question not limited to forms of art, it also isn't limited to genre. The two authors I want to focus on today are from different book genres and gained popularity at different times. In fact, they only have two things in common:

Talent and Controversy.  

J.K. Rowling Controversy

J.K. Rowling is extremely well-known for creating the Harry Potter series the world knows and loves in the late 1900s and early 2000s. Colleen Hoover is slightly less know, but has gained popularity in the past five years for a variety of romance novels. 

                                                       Bestwriting.com
J.K. Rowling at a red carpet 

Where to begin with J.K. Rowling. The harry potter series has sold over 500 million copies and was turned into a 8 part film series. Its success is undeniable with an entire section of Universal Orlando sectioned off to create "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter." As a fan of the series myself, I have to say the park is a lot of fun. 

All her success aside, Rowling has entered a negative light in the public eye due to constant transphobic words and actions. It began with liking a couple of anti-trans people posts on X, called Twitter at the time. She eventually wrote a lengthy essay defending her transphobia, instead of renouncing it. Since then, she has become bold with her statements and pronunciation against the transgender community. 

Her contentious beliefs weren't made public until decades after the series' success. 

                                Amazon.com
Book cover puzzle

Elise Coelho, a writer for the Suffolk Journal pointed out that Harry Potter is a now a cultural phenomenon that "transcends  its creator’s opinions or actions." 

"Once released into the world, someone’s work is not solely theirs anymore. Art needs to be separated from its creator to be rightfully judged and critically analyzed. Separating art from the artist is possible when one realizes that art is more than someone’s feelings on a canvas or page, but an abstract reenactment of society." said Coelho.

This is something to consider certainly. Regardless, it is far to long past Rowling's prime for any boycott of her work to have a real impact if that's what those angry with her aim to do. 

Rowling is an example a figure who is seen as problematic, but her
issues have nothing to do with the content of her pieces. 

Colleen Hoover Controversy

                                 Texas Monthly

Colleen Hoover, on the other hand, has conjured up extremely divided opinions, relating directly to her work. Since her first book was published in 2015, she has sold over 20 million copies amongst her numerous New York Times Best Sellers. 

Her popularity-grew exponentially during the pandemic and it became clear one of her novels was a fan favorite. It Ends With Us tells a tragic love story using themes of domestic abuse and trauma. 

"It offers a powerful look at the challenges of leaving an abusive relationship and finding hope again," said John Preston in a book review. 

While it gained some positive popularity, eventually, readers began to speak out about concerns of the content. 

“Like too many books and movies, It Ends With Us feeds into the very structures of toxic masculinity that it purports to combat. It romanticizes red flags and glorifies a charismatic-but-dangerous man (he’s complicated! he’s damaged!) and it ultimately delivers a decidedly anti-feminist message," said Jennie Young, another reviewer. 

                                    Novelwizards.com

Hoover's bubbly writing, promoted with colorful, light book covers and cheesy romantic titles can certainly seem misleading toward the content contained inside. 

She even went as far as creating an It Ends With Us coloring book, which received enough backlash for its tone-deaf nature that she canceled the concept before any were released for sale. 

For me, separating the work from its author can only be done if the writing itself is void of their negative fingerprints. Rowling's work doesn't contain any pieces of why people don't support her. Hoover's books are the main reason they don't, so it would be impossible to separate the two. 

Its a hard world out there, with technology lending to more and more issues like this. Ultimately, it is up to you (the consumer) to think critically about if you can or cannot support art from it's artist. Take everything into account, including what the artist (author, musician, performer, etc.) has done AND what they have created, and the decision is up to you. 

 

I who have never known men: Book Review

   I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman is the type of book that will stick with me for the rest of my life. 

    This novel is from the perspective of an unnamed narrator. She is a young girl trapped in a cage with 39 other women, where she has been for as long as she can remember. It follows her journey growing up in this unusual environment surrounded by strangers who are just as in the dark as she is. 

    The second half of the story follows their lives post-escape from their cell. Instead of leaving and finding the answers they so desperately sought, they are ultimately left with more questions than before. Unanswered questions are a recurring and major theme in this read. If you are the type who doesn't deal well with obscurity and loose ends, I highly suggest avoiding this book. 

I Who Have Never Known Men

     Jacqueline Harpman originally wrote this story in French, and it was the first of her dozens of novels to be translated into English. It was published in 1995, originally titled Mistress of Silence. Both titles, I feel, suit this book appropriately. 

    A reviewer named Emily May on Goodreads said, "It sits outside of genre, outside of time, outside of reality as we know, introducing the reader to a world unfamiliar to both them and the unnamed protagonist. The result is a palpable feeling of winder and loneliness."

     I'm not sure I could have said it better myself. For me, this was a five out of five star read. The only reason I ever put it down was when life got in the way. 

  My usual reads before this one were easy-to-process fantasy. The type that literature-snobs might turn their nose up towards. I read as an escape from the chaos of life, so often times the goal is to let my brain turn to whimsical mush inside my head. 

    I think that's why I loved reading this so much. It was so staunchly different than what I'm used to and I enjoyed the change of pace.  

    "For a very long time, the days went by, each one just like the day before, then I began to think, and everything changed" (p 6).

    Harpman explores womanhood and community in a way that is both devastating and powerful. She examines it from a perspective that is unusual, yet relatable. The young girl watches as women make the most out of their unprecedented situation. 

I Who Have Never Known Men
Original French Cover

     We see a power structure amongst the group. There are women that appear to lead, and others who quarrel. Its a confined version of the reality we know. In a complex way, their reality, seeming extremely unrealistic to the reader, can actually be quite relatable if given enough thought. 

    The young girl reflects emotions that many young women experience, even if they're not trapped in a bunker. She feels rebellious, separating herself from the others. She watches them from afar. This is something I myself relate too, often watching the world from the outside when I was younger. 

    I was, and still am, the main 'thinker' of my family. I am the daughter/sister who strayed from the train of thought my family lives in. I see myself in the unknown narrator. I feel for her longing for knowledge. For her questioning of reality.

    This is why I loved reading this book. The author had the ability to connect me with a character for whom I don't even have a name. 

    I will hold this reading experience with me for years to come.

 

Inken (Engel) Willis Obituary

Inken (Engel) Willis died peacefully Dec. 31 2019, at 78-years-old in her home in San Antonio, Texas. She was born March 8 1941, in Witten, Germany to Agnes Engel and Dr. Heinz. When she was just 18-years-old she came to the United States and met her husband and the love of her life, Leslie Elbert Willis Jr. She spent the majority of her adult life as a resident of San Antonio. 

Inken (Engel) Willis

Willis was a fervent home maker. She had six wildly different children whom she spent her time raising into incredible adults. Along with her full-time job as a mother, she volunteered as an advocate for children that were victims of abuse for numerous years. Once her children moved out of the house, she discovered her passion for traveling and playing tennis. Willis was extremely talented on the tennis court and played frequently. She never limited her travels, experiencing every part of the world she possibly could.

Willis was lovingly known as Omi by her grand children, and ultimately everyone who knew her. Omi is a term often used for "grandmother" in the German language. This is just one example of many as to the way people felt about Willis. Willis was a friend to all, the life of every party. She was a matter-of-fact, headstrong woman, German from the bottom of her heart. She was ardently stuck in the habits of her life. Willis was compassionate and soft-spoken. She had a great sense of humor. She loved happy hour margaritas and betting on her favorite horse at the racetrack. Next to pulling a slot machine in Las Vegas, her greatest love was spending time with her children, grandchildren and numerous friends.

Willis is preceded by her parents, her husband Leslie Elbert Willis Jr., stepdaughter Beverly Ann Culbreath and her sisters, Heide Tibbs and Antje Kecskes. 

Willis with some of her children
and grandchildren    

 

She is survived by her four children: Lee (Lorie) Willis, Heide Langdon, Christina Komet and Kevin (Kelly) Willis, as well as her stepdaughter Cindy Blanks. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Colton, Mason, Wyatt and Kylee Willis and Sarah, Alexander and Evan Komet; Russell Blanks, Kara Irvine, BJ Gabbert, Inken Meyers and Addison Isaacs; Drew, Parker and Klaire Willis. 

Willis grew up as a member of the Lutheran Faith. She has consistently loved the lord. In recent years, Willis spent time at the Community Bible Church in San Antonio, making friends and worshipping. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Child Advocates San Antonio. A private family service will be followed by a Celebration of Life.

BookTok

I was always the little girl who stayed up way past her bedtime reading novels late into the night. If I was grumpy the next morning on the way to school, my parents instantly knew what I spent the night doing. 

 

It was never out of rebellion. I simply was unable to remove myself from a book once I got into it. Unfortunately that bookworm trait didn't last long. By middle school, I had lost the drive to read entirely. 

 

It wasn't until the summer before my first year at university that I picked up a book again. I never looked back from then on. 

 

                                                    The Gazelle
Illustrated by Alya Al Zaabi

This revival was all thanks to one community on social media: BookTok. BookTok is a subcommunity on the app TikTok. The #Booktok has 47.8 million videos under it. 

Creators will post book reviews, book hauls, bookshelf setups and everything in between. 

 

There are creators for every genre you can imagine, but some have a heavier base than others. Romance and fantasy are two that BookTok has a heavy focus on. Some creators have even turned the phrase "Romantasy," a combination of the two, into a commonly used term. 

 

@Mariannasreads, is an influencer with 450,000 followers. Her bio says she "enjoys screaming about words on paper," something most of her followers can relate to. 

 

BookTokers, as those content creators are often referred to, have follower counts that range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands. @Cassiesbooktok has gained 3.1 million followers by posting humorous content relatable to fellow readers.  These are just two examples of the hundreds of creators who have gained a following from their reading related posts. 

 

"With BookTok, you kind of feel like you have your friends at your fingertips," said author Tessa Bailey. 

                                                    The Guardian
Screenshots from @alifeofliterature,
@emilymiahreads and @kateslibrary

These videos offer a place for people with similar interests to engage with each other with a few swipes of a finger. Readers can share excitement for new releases, express disappointment in endings or theorize about what certain books mean.

"Part of what makes BookTok special is that readers' taste and enthusiasm determine what goes viral on the algorithm," said Anahy Diaz, a journalist at Today. 

The positive effect of BookTok reaches past those directly involved. Alongside the rise of the trend came a rise in sales.

 

According to Today News, data by NPD BookScan claims 825 million books were sold in the U.S. in 2021, around the time BookTok took flight, which is the highest number the company has seen since 2004.

 

Barnes & Noble even has a section in store and online, for "the most popular TikTok books." This is evidence of the power this community has. 

 

BookTok is a special example of how social media, regardless of its faults, can often bring people together.

 

                                                            WHNT
Display at Barnes & Noble
located in Hunstville, Alabama

 

I believe I am lucky to have found this side of the application. I have had the opportunity to read many fascinating stories and hear various points of view that I otherwise wouldn't have found. So, I am one of the many readers thankful for BookTok.

Billie Eilish

32 Grammy nominations. 9 Grammy wins. 2 Academy Awards. 2 Golden Globes. 23 years old. She is more than just a musician. 

Billie Eilish began her path to fame as a singer/songwriter at 15 years old and has released 3 EPs and 3 studio albums since then. She has seen much success in her time as an artist, amassing a large, diverse fan base across the globe. With over 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify, she's has performed around the world. 

Eilish is talented, with powerful lyrics and melodies and an exciting energy when she performs. That's not all her fans love her for; its also what she stands for. Eilish has always used her platform, even as a young artist, to bring awareness to important subjects. 

In her beginning years, Eilish was known for her baggy clothing. It may seem like just her style, but she has expanded on the deeper meaning. 

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Eilish said, "I thought that I would be the only one dealing with my hatred for my body, but I guess the internet also hates my body."

The internet tends to be a cruel place. By sharing her story, she showed young women in the same situation that they are not alone, and that they can get through it.

A fellow artist, Demi Lovato told Popcrush, "She's totally being authentic to herself, she's keeping her body a mystery." 

That authenticity is exactly why so many people admire Eilish. 

Another thing Eilish is determined to keep involved in her career is sustainability. Since its creation, Eilish has included Support + Feed-her mother's organization fighting climate change-on tour to provide plant-based menus and reduce plastic use at concerts.

Eilish has continued working alongside her mother to increase sustainability in the music industry by pushing for change within label companies, holding climate summits, and donating to the cause over and over again. 

Eilish told Billboard, "It's a never-ending f-king fight." 

After being a fan for over five years, I saw Eilish preform at the beginning of Nov. in 2024. I danced. I cried. I cheered.

I got to see her authenticity live. Before singing her hit song from the movie Barbie, "What was I made for," she launched into a moving monologue that reminded me why I am such a big fan of hers.

Eilish spoke to the largely female crowd, urging them to go out and vote in the upcoming election. She told everyone what their options were if they couldn't vote. She urged women to do this for themselves, for the women of America. 

Then, she sprung into the emotional song. 

A journalist for Forbes, Steve Baltin said, "Parents around the globe should thank whoever they thank that Eilish uses her power for good."

I will forever admire her bravery in making such bold proclamations whether it be at her concerts, online or when she is being interviewed. 

Me in 500 words

Five adopted children. It seems a little overboard, doesn't it?

I became an aunt at 13 years old.

By 17, I had four nephews and a one niece, each under the age of 10.

The rest of the family worried for my oldest brother. Most people can barely handle one adopted child. Five is certainly pushing it. 

It didn't matter.

These children are the best thing to ever happen to me. To my family.

They teach me to be strong in darkness. 

They teach me to be joyful in chaos. 

They even taught me what I want to do with my life. 

Similar to most other first year students, I had no idea what I wanted to with my life. I drifted from idea to idea through the next few years. 

From human resources to journalism and many things in between.

The truth is my goal in life is extremely cliché. I want to make a positive difference in the world. In people's lives.

This is a piece of my puzzle I have always known. Similarly, it is a piece of my puzzle I have always doubted. 

I often wondered if it was even possible. After all, I am just one woman. 

I work hard. I study often. I am kind and compassionate. 

I can be the ideal candidate for numerous job positions. This fact does not mean anything to me if I can't make a difference somewhere, somehow.

I wrote a 20 plus page research paper junior year. 

Who has fun doing something like that? I do, that's who. 

I rambled to my mother about the process for about 30 minutes before she stopped me. She informed me law school includes a lot of the things I did in this process. We moved on. 

Well, she moved on. I spent the next few months enduring internal turmoil. 

Why had I ever counted becoming a lawyer out? Was I being ridiculous? I am a year away from graduation. I am studying communications. Why think about this now?

Could this make my dream possible?

The dominoes fell rapidly from that point.

I am going to become a lawyer. 

Not because the money is solid. 

Not because people will respect me more. 

These are valuable, yes. They are not the main reasons I made this decision.

Alex, Christian, Gianna, Adrian, and Ayden. They are the reasons. 

Alex was returned to his abusive home at least three times before he found my family. Christian, Gianna, and Adrian lived in a car during the coldest part of winter.

They are the reasons.

I will play my part, however small, in changing the lives of the innocent and vulnerable.

I wanted to be a journalist to give a voice to the those without one. As an attorney, I will give them not only a voice, but a hand. 

For me, there is no longer a question if this is the right path for my future. I am embracing my cliché dreams.

My future is bright.