- Joined
- Nov 9, 2017
- Messages
- 58
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I'm writing a book, that is literary fiction. In it, the MC becomes a Nazi. It's told from his POV. My brother told me that my book (he hasn't read it, he just asked what it was about) is 'offensive' because it 'challenges' history.
Now, to be clear. By 'challenging history' I do not mean Holocaust denial or Nazi worship. I'm not a fan of either, and the thought of being so makes me feel sick. But my book does ask big questions: Is there anything we can 'learn' from the Holocaust? Can Nazis find redemption? Are we superior to our ancestors? What are we entitled to in this world? Like my favourite books, I do not answer these questions, but I explore them.
I know this is a politically charged question. And I hesitated before asking, because I did not want to cause a fight. But I'm worried that my book won't get published because it'll be misinterpreted, and views will be attributed to me. The best fiction, in my opinion, gets the reader to think for themselves. I dislike 'preachy literature' where the writer does the thinking for you.
Having done a university course about the ethics of historical research in english literature, and being a history major myself, I am well equipped at doing the necessary research. I know that if my book is published, it won't please everyone. Truth is, I'm very excited about this book, and have poured my soul in it. I was so excited about it, I wrote 6,000 words in a day for it! I can't stop thinking about it. Although the book has absolutely bleak subject matter, writing it makes me happy. This is a book that I'm meant to write. But I've seen how Twitter misinterprets particular Young Adult books, and yeah, it saddens me. They can say some really disgusting things about authors, assume the worst, and for a debut author, that is highly worrying.
And I refuse to use sensitivity readers, and please don't suggest them, because I don't work well with them. Others may, but not me.
I guess I'm just looking for some wisdom.
Any comments are appreciated, and again, I don't want to cause a fight.
Now, to be clear. By 'challenging history' I do not mean Holocaust denial or Nazi worship. I'm not a fan of either, and the thought of being so makes me feel sick. But my book does ask big questions: Is there anything we can 'learn' from the Holocaust? Can Nazis find redemption? Are we superior to our ancestors? What are we entitled to in this world? Like my favourite books, I do not answer these questions, but I explore them.
I know this is a politically charged question. And I hesitated before asking, because I did not want to cause a fight. But I'm worried that my book won't get published because it'll be misinterpreted, and views will be attributed to me. The best fiction, in my opinion, gets the reader to think for themselves. I dislike 'preachy literature' where the writer does the thinking for you.
Having done a university course about the ethics of historical research in english literature, and being a history major myself, I am well equipped at doing the necessary research. I know that if my book is published, it won't please everyone. Truth is, I'm very excited about this book, and have poured my soul in it. I was so excited about it, I wrote 6,000 words in a day for it! I can't stop thinking about it. Although the book has absolutely bleak subject matter, writing it makes me happy. This is a book that I'm meant to write. But I've seen how Twitter misinterprets particular Young Adult books, and yeah, it saddens me. They can say some really disgusting things about authors, assume the worst, and for a debut author, that is highly worrying.
And I refuse to use sensitivity readers, and please don't suggest them, because I don't work well with them. Others may, but not me.
I guess I'm just looking for some wisdom.
Any comments are appreciated, and again, I don't want to cause a fight.