pickThis satire is a blazing takedown of cancel culture and our collective obsession with social media and being chronically online. I love John Boyne‘s books but have read about his own recent situation which he was “cancelled”. Knowing his personal views and in light of recent events, I read this through a lens of “this is how the author feels” when outrageous and over the top “woke” characters were skewered. An absurd #dysfunctionalfamily.⬇️
Chelsea.Poole ⬆️ After reading this I just know John Boyne is seething mad about his current situation. Though it was hard to read knowing he has spoken out about against those he should be welcoming in his own community, it was a good read, hilarious and biting. 6d
AmyG Very interesting. I still want to read this, perhaps more now. 6d
Bookwomble He unintentional (I assume) wrote a transphobic novel, acknowledging that he didn't speak to any trans people when doing his 'research', and then refused to take on board the reasonable criticism from the trans community when issues were brought to his attention. The arrogance of writing somebody else's story about which you know little is rather startling. I haven't "cancelled" him, but I do exercise my freedom to not read any of his books ? 6d
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BarbaraBB Interesting! I want to read it too. 5d
Jas16 @Bookwomble He has labeled himself a TERF and come out in support of Rowling. The Polari Prize was cancelled this year due to the uproar over his inclusion. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyvme385e6o.amp 5d
Prairiegirl_reading I really liked this one too and I was so excited for the elements that just came out here in Canada but I won‘t be buying that one or any others by him. To support jk Rowling and actually call himself a terf! No thanks. 5d
Bookwomble @Jas16 So sad that my assumption was wrong 😕 Thanks for the info - that just confirms my decision not to bother with him. 5d
Chelsea.Poole I was so surprised at the content of this novel. If I didn‘t know his thoughts when reading this, I would have assumed he was supportive of the trans community but knowing he wasn‘t definitely changed the way I read it. I will say it is a very well-observed take on the way social media is used as a weapon, and looking at motivations of people and the duplicitous nature of some. 5d
