I was left feeling decidedly uncomfortable by Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert’s decision to withdraw from publication her historical novel set in Russia, not least because I’ve just published my own HNSIR (The Crimson Child, thanks for asking).
I confess I haven’t watched her self-cancellation, or should that be self-flagellation, video. But I read a great article by Kat Rosenfield about the whole sorry affair on Pirate Wires.
Apparently, she took the decision after receiving a slew of pre-publication one star reviews, obviously left by people who couldn’t possibly have read the book. That added to my discomfort.
I am sympathetic. I’ve had one star reviews myself (yes, I know, hard to believe, but it’s true) and have sometimes felt it would be better if I’d never published the book in question. I would have spared myself the hurt, not to mention the effort. So as the author of historical novel set in Russia (yeah, that’s right, The Crimson Child, thanks again for asking) should I be bracing myself for a similar onslaught?
And should I withdraw my own book from publication to appease the angry mob?
I don’t really want to get into the issue of what they’re angry about. I think the Kat Rosenfield article does a good job of answering that question. Broadly, it’s just the fact that she chose Russia as the setting for a novel, which would presumably involve sympathetic portrayals of Russians?
Now I know, compared to the number of readers Elizabeth Gilbert has, my readership is tiny. So my little book won’t make anywhere near the same impression on the culture. And withdrawing it from publication will make even less of an impact.
But I can honestly say it never occurred to me to withdraw my own book. And I won’t be following her example now.
Because, well, on a point of principle I believe I should be able to set a novel anywhere I like, provided I can make my readers believe in it. Also I don’t believe setting a novel in Russia (even if it were in the present day) is automatically endorsing Putin’s regime or his criminal invasion of Ukraine. I mean that’s just silly, right?
My novel touches on a previous conflict that Russia was involved in. The conquest of the Caucasus in the 19th century.
There are parallels between that and the war in Ukraine today, most notably war crimes. My stance is naturally critical of those who participated in those atrocities. My story features Russians who are equally horrified by them. And some who are ignorant of them and just want to get on with their lives.
I’m a novelist. I try to create characters who are rounded and human. I will even try to do that when writing about murderers and war criminals. Even if they are Russian.
So the book stays published. And you, of course, are very welcome to buy it. The title? That’s right, The Crimson Child.
Meanwhile, here’s a trailer. The music is by my talented son, Luke Morris.