Have you ever been put off an author’s books after reading a biography of them? Or the reverse - a biography has made you love an author more?I don't very often read biographies of authors, so the immediate answer to this would have to be no. I do sometimes try and find out a bit about an author if I've really liked a book, but only a brief overview from various online sources. I can't really imagine anything I would find out that would put me off their books.
One of the reasons I read is to get different opinions and viewpoints on the world, and maybe even expand my own views slightly. If I chose to only read authors with similar belief systems to myself, then this would leave me with a very narrow view of the world. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and it would be a very boring world if everybody thought the same, or only read work by authors who feel the same as them, whatever the issue.
I also think that if an author's belief system is so completely opposed to mine and they choose to preach about it in a book then it wouldn't be a book I would be interested in reading anyway. If they write good books then it doesn't actually matter what they believe.
Having said all that, I now need to qualify it slightly and say that with very extreme belief systems I would refrain from buying the book. But only if I felt that my money might be going towards a cause that may actually harm people, or infringe on their rights to hold their own opinions. I think it very unlikely I would want to read a book that would fall into this category, but I wouldn't avoid it if I did. I just wouldn't buy it.
I don't think knowing information about an author would make me love them more, but it may help me appreciate their books a little more. Most authors write from experience, so it can only enhance my appreciation of the book to know even a little bit about their life.
12 comments:
I agree with you that most authors write from experience, so sometimes it helps to know a bit more about it. Happy BTT!
I wrote somewhat in similar lines..
Here is my BTT post!
I agree I don't buy books from authors who infringe on peoples rights. There is a female author who puts out books that has a tendency to tick a lot of people off with what she writes. I think instead of people getting so upset over her books should just not buy them and ignore her.
I agree with you. Generally, I feel authors are entitled to their own opinions even if they don't agree with mine. I wouldn't buy a book if the proceeds were going to a cause that was harmful, though.
My response is much like yours. Happy Booking Through Thursday!
Ah . . . if the proceeds of a book are going to a particular cause, I will look into the cause before giving my money. I believe in giving to charity and to some more political organizations, but I give only when I believe in what those organizations are doing.
I agree with Beth - I'd avoid buying a book if its proceeds were going to be used for something distasteful to me.
my post is here.
I usually start with just the story, and maybe the biographical blurb on the back cover. But sometimes after I have read and enjoyed several books by one author, I like to read more about them, figuring their own life story goes into the stories they write. Often it enhances my reading of their work.
I generally don't read the biography unless I think the story may be based on factual events, even then I wont read it unless I'm very interested in the person it's just find out if it's true by glancing at the material in it.
Dot and barbarah, I'm not a writer but I don't see how anyone can write without using personal experience to some extent
Gautami and Smilingsal, Great minds think alike! Lol
Kathy,I agree. I don'tknow who you mean but surely by drawing attention to it those people are just giving her more publicity, which can't be what they want if they've got such a problem with her!
Yvonne, teabird and beth, same goes here.
Thatsthebook, I don't read biographies either, but I mght try and find out a bit about the author, particularly if I intend to read more of their work.
I have to agree with you. If author's beliefs are extreme or harmful, or money going to really weird cause that find offensive. Good post.
Although I do like the little tidbits about the author in the back of books, it doesn't affect my reading choices. I'm there for the story. My answer is here..
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