Do you care about a novelist's past?
I ask, because of the ongoing fuss in the media regarding actors deviant behaviour, and the subsequent blacklisting of their work.
Those mentioned in the media may be guilty of sexual misconduct, but a cause of concern is that none of the accused have been found guilty in a court of law.
I believe this media-frenzy is a beginning of a much wider scenario, which will creep through all parts of society.
A thought occurred to me regarding politics. The founding fathers of the American constitution were all slave owners. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington owned slaves. Are they to be condemned and struck from history?
With regard to literature, are we to disown novelists past and present who have dubious political associations, scandalous backgrounds, or separate them from their art and simply enjoy their brilliance.
A difficult question that I've been mulling over too. My personal view is that their work should stand, as it's something separate from whatever they are accused of. If found guilty their future is likely to be ruined anyway. As for figures from history, they should be remembered but their actions not necessarily lauded. All very complex.