I have been lurking in this sub for a bit, and I have seen many criticisms of books because the reader dislikes what they consider misogynistic elements, or racist, sexist, homophobic elements. My question is, can a book be good/great, even if the author makes you feel uncomfortable? Why does the author’s style, or a character need to prescribe to a specific concept of morality to be an acceptable read?
Personally, I don’t understand why certain language or topics are a no go for folks. If a story is good, it shouldn’t matter. I also think reading things that don’t align with your beliefs, is generally a great way to expand your mind, and make you a wiser person.
I find the imposition of another person’s moral system to be very annoying in classic literature. For instance, many older book copies remove spicier language used in earlier times. So many copies of Pepys remove the word turds from the description of his neighbours sewage overflowing into his cellar. You can’t take the turds out of the seventeenth century without losing a great deal of the atmosphere! Likewise the syphilitic whores and the mercury treatments to cure it which are part of any good Boswell journal.
To some extent, it’s the editors and publishers not the authors who impose moral standards.
They’re scared of public condemnation. Free speech in literature should be enshrined in law. After all, people don’t have to read it. Personally, I dislike anything bigoted and that abuses religious, sexual or gender groups. But I fully support your right to read about Pepys shite or Boswell’s whores.