Elizabeth Gilbert and the debate over cancelling Russian culture
Decision to delay publication of novel set in 20th-century Siberia sparks intense debate
Elizabeth Gilbert has withdrawn her forthcoming novel “The Snow Forest” from publication amid increasingly vociferous fallout over her decision to set the narrative in Russia while the war in Ukraine is ongoing.
Gilbert, known for the best-selling 2006 memoir “Eat, Pray, Love”, described “an enormous, massive outpouring of reactions and responses from my Ukrainian readers, expressing anger, sorrow, disappointment and pain” at her choice to write about 20th-century Russia.
Consequently, she asked her publishers at Penguin Random House to withdraw the new book, which had been due to be released in February next year. Gilbert called the move “a course correction”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The furore has “re-ignited a wide-ranging debate over the place that Russian – or Russian-set – culture should have in the contemporary sphere of creative production”, The Guardian said.
PEN America, a non-profit organisation that aims to promote free expression around the world, said Gilbert’s decision was “well intended” but that withdrawing a book because of an ongoing military conflict was “wrong-headed”.
‘Flooded with one-star reviews’
Shortly after teasing the release of the book on her social media platforms, Gilbert said she began to hear criticism that her work was “glorifying” Russians and was similar to “writing a book about brave Germans in the 1940s”.
Yet the decision to withdraw the book may be a pragmatic rather than principled one. When “The Snow Forest” was added to Goodreads, an Amazon subsidiary that allows people to review books online, it was “flooded with one-star reviews from people who could not have read it yet”, said Imogen West-Knights on Slate.
“While Ukrainians are dying from russian terrorists, famous authors are writing books about them and romanticizing these bastards,” one commenter wrote.
“It’s time to forget about all imperialistic shit that Russia doing over the centuries,” said another. “Maybe, Elizabeth, you should’ve spent your pandemic time reading about all the Russian terror. Sad that after 15 months of invasion you still think that book about poor Russian family is a great choice.”
‘A dangerous precedent’
Not everyone took such a straightforward position. Writing on Twitter, the novelist and critic Lincoln Michel said: “This seems very weird to me. I mean the author’s decision but… no book should be set in historical Russia now? A novel about people resisting the USSR no less? Huh?”
The sentiment was echoed by UnHerd’s Leigh Stein, who said that Gilbert’s decision to withdraw the book set a “dangerous precedent” for all future writers.
“The idea that a novel about a family fleeing religious persecution from Communists is in any way ‘pro’ Russia is not only absurd – it’s also the exact same argument of potential ‘harm’ wielded by the crusading book banners in American schools,” Stein added. “If we can’t stomach novels set in countries that have dark and ugly stains on their records, I have bad news for anyone writing fiction about America.”
It is hard to “conjure a reason for why the delay of Gilbert’s book benefits anyone”, said Franklin Foer, writing in The Atlantic.
He added: “Gilbert had a chance to gently explain herself and defend her work, to argue for the importance of literature in a time of war, but she chose to abnegate her responsibilities as a writer and go another way: eat, pray, pander.”
“The publication of a novel set in Russia should not be cast as an act exacerbating oppression,” Suzanne Nossel, PEN America’s chief executive, said in a statement. “The choice of whether to read Gilbert’s book lies with readers themselves, and those who are troubled by it must be free to voice their views.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Arion McNicoll is a freelance writer at The Week Digital and was previously the UK website’s editor. He has also held senior editorial roles at CNN, The Times and The Sunday Times. Along with his writing work, he co-hosts “Today in History with The Retrospectors”, Rethink Audio’s flagship daily podcast, and is a regular panellist (and occasional stand-in host) on “The Week Unwrapped”. He is also a judge for The Publisher Podcast Awards.
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Shardlake: a 'tightly plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television'
The Week Recommends Arthur Hughes captivates in this 'eminently watchable' Tudor murder mystery
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Major League Baseball is facing an epidemic of pitcher's injuries
Under the Radar Many insiders are blaming the pitch clock for the rise in injuries — but the league is not so sure
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Pundits are mixed on the real possibility of Alex Garland's 'Civil War'
Talking Point Some say the film's events aren't that far from reality, but others are less convinced
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Are We Dating the Same Guy?': do Facebook groups harm or help?
Talking Point Women share their relationship experiences to try to stay safe on dating apps but critics highlight legal and emotional issues
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Not cross buns': the row over recipe revamps
Talking Point New versions of the Easter favourite have sparked controversy but sales are soaring
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The art world and motherhood: the end of a final taboo?
Talking Point Hettie Judah's new touring exhibition offers a 'riveting riposte' to old cliches
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Indie film's 'very brief' use of AI sparks backlash and calls for boycotts
Talking Points Did the creators of a new horror movie make a deal with the artificial intelligence devil?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Are plug-in hybrids better for America's climate goals?
Talking Points The car industry considers a 'slower, but more plausible path' to reducing emissions
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Richard, My Richard: Philippa Gregory's 'nuanced portrait' of Richard III is heavy on the history
Talking Point Women are centre stage but play has 'something of a structural problem'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Glastonbury line-up: the 'poppiest, shiniest' bill ever
Talking Point Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA and Shania Twain will star, but some fans are 'underwhelmed'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published