Does It Matter?
Shannon had an interesting discussion at her blog about whether or not a presidential candidate’s history of marital infidelity should be considered in determining who to vote for. She got responses from all sides of the issue.
I don’t write about politics much on my blog, but, after my trip to the bookstore, I have been thinking about this in a non-political context. How much do a person’s personal actions matter in the job they do?
I used to love the mystery novels of Anne Perry. They are not all equally good, but some of them are a great read. She writes Victorian mysteries with dark realities of the Victorian period: drug addiction, class struggle, unequal rights for women. I used to read her books regularly, and considered including some in my recent stack from the used bookstore.
What stopped me was the knowledge that Anne Perry is a murderer. When she was young, she and a friend murdered her friend’s mother. It was a notorious crime in New Zealand, and filmmaker Peter Jackson decided to make a fictionalized movie about it (Heavenly Creatures 1994). After the movie came out, the renewed interest in the crime led to the discovery that Juliet Hulme, one of the murderers, had been living and writing for years under the name Anne Perry.
I haven’t been able to read her novels since I learned about it. Reading mysteries is an escape for me, a retreat into a world where the crimes are fictional, the truth is always discovered, and good is affirmed over evil. Perry has rarely talked about the crime to the press, but she has expressed regret for the murder. Still, somehow I don’t think I can enjoy reading a fictional murder written by someone who has actually committed one.
What do you think? Would it make a difference to you? Do the actions of a writer or artist affect your ability to enjoy their work? Where should the line be drawn?
Tags: books
Antique Mommy
I don’t know where the line is, but I’m not that good at compartmentalizing, so to say it doesn’t “matter” (to me) would be disingenious. On the other, I fully embrace the idea of forgiveness and the knowledge that I don’t stand shoulder-to-shoulder to God in the judgement of others. I enjoy the art and writings of many people whose life styles I don’t endorse, yet I appreciate their talent. All that to say - I don’t know. A very good question.
Beck
Finding out that Anne Perry actually was a murderer destroyed her as a writer for me, ESPECIALLY because of the way she wrote about murder (the murderers themselves often being considered far more sympathetic than the victims, for example). Ick.
It would have been different if she wrote ANOTHER genre of books - if she was a light romantic fiction author, for example, I would feel differently.
Lynanne
You pose tough but intriguing questions. As for marital infedelity and politics, I guess I see things in shades of gray but for the most part I look at whether the infedelity interfered with their job or not. Was there an abuse of power or seniority? Was it hypocritical or in opposition with their stance on issues?
As for the artist/author I guess people write/compose/create what they know best. Still, I get a bit freaked out if the art form (be it writing or visual art) is too “real.” I’m not sure I could enjoy or be entertained by the work of a murderer. Unless the person was writing for educational purposes (for example - someone in prison writing about their experiences - thought it probably would be non-fiction)
Whew…that was more thinking than my post-partum brain has been able to manage lately
Poppy Fields
I’ve never explored this idea, but there are some definite undefined lines someone would have to not cross if they were to continue to remain in my circle of acceptable. The lines would be flexible according to the circumstances. I’ve never read Anne Perry, but now, I probably won’t, that’s just too creepy. Are there any honest, faithful politicians out there? I have serious doubts about that. Every politician I have really supported, never made it past the primary elections. So than I end up feeling like I am choosing between the lesser of two evils.
Kit
I’ve read and enjoyed Anne Perry for years and this was the first time I’d heard about her past. I don’t yet know how I’m going to feel when I pick up one of her books again. Will I be able to suspend that knowledge and read as before, enjoying th echaracters of Thomas Pitt and his wife Charlotte and all the excellent period detail or will it become creepy? I’ll let you know.
As for politicians…I don’t think having an affair impinges on their political abilities. I also don’t think many people really believe that politicians are morally upstanding figureheads, so the media feigning outrage when they are caught out seems a bit far-fetched - just another element in the whole political game. In an ideal world they would be morally upstanding, of course….
luckyzmom
If a man can’t control his organ….really the answer seems pretty clear to me.
But, wow, the Anne Perry question….I immediately thought, “What a great question”. I don’t think it would stop me from reading her if I had previously read and enjoyed her books. I do believe I would read them with a different mindset though.
painted maypole
Wow, what an interesting question. I loved that movie, but didn’t realize one of the “inspirations” was writing, so I’ve never read her books. It raises a question of forgiveness, I think, and a person’s ability to change. I struggle with forgiveness so much in my day to day life, that forgiving a murder seems hard. But as a Christian, I think about King David, a murderer and adulterer, yet beloved by God and used to do great things. I’m not perfect by any means, but I’m no murderer. Yet, would some of the things I’ve done in my past cause others to pause? Hmmm… I am thinking too hard for one so tired, but thanks for the food for thought.