Will Elizabeth Gilbert's decision set a 'dangerous precedent' for book censorship?

Her latest novel sparked backlash after she revealed it would be set in Russia.

Elizabeth Gilbert holding a microphone
(Image credit: Marla Aufmuth / Contributor / Getty Images)

Elizabeth Gilbert, the best-selling author "Eat, Pray, Love," decided to indefinitely pause publication of her latest novel, "The Snow Forest," after an "overwhelming" wave of criticism on social media and Goodreads from Ukranian readers. The backlash was triggered by the books setting in 20th-century Siberia, with many calling the author insensitive in light of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

"It is not the time for this book to be published," Gilbert said in a video posted on Twitter. She didn't want to "add any harm to a group of people who have already experienced and who are continuing to experience grievous and extreme harm."

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Theara Coleman, The Week US

Theara Coleman has worked as a staff writer at The Week since September 2022. She frequently writes about technology, education, literature and general news. She was previously a contributing writer and assistant editor at Honeysuckle Magazine, where she covered racial politics and cannabis industry news.