Timely and extraordinary

This is a book speaking to one of the most pressing and perplexing moral dilemmas in the current world. I cannot imagine how it could have been addressed more intelligently or more compassionately. No one is excused. You finish questioning your own responses and complicity but ultimately with a sense of the nature of the problem, in all its nuances, Perhaps it is the timing, the urgent current need to which this book responds, but I felt it was one of the best works of non fiction I had ever read. It is also fluidly, joyfully, accessible, written with clarity, humour and tremendous honesty. I can’t recommend this highly enough.

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the book i needed

i have been having conversations about separating artists from art for years. but seemingly more frequently of late as more and more of our so called heroes are revealed to be, at the very least, problematic. so when i came across the abridged version of this book serialised on radio 4’s ‘book of the week’ it was minutes before i’d come here and downloaded it in full.

claire dederer, in writing this book, has taken on a mammoth task. and done it so adeptly i feel changed by it. her understanding and rigorous analysis of our responses to art and its inextricable link to artist has provided innumerable insights for me. and she has done it so compassionately and candidly, incorporating elements of autobiography and countless admissions of her own fallibility (for we are all fallible - part of the point of the book).

feminism, anti-racism, anti-capitalism, transgender rights and humanitarianism are all rolled into it and incorporated with as much self-awareness as is possible. it is an ambitious and important book. and i was deeply moved by the end of it.

i can’t wait to listen to it again. and carry on talking about it, being inspired by it and poorly paraphrasing parts of it. i can’t recommend it enough.

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Lost its Way

This book began with deep analysis on problematic figures but then took a sharp turn to meandering memoir which I didn’t expect or particularly enjoy.

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A fascinating exploration of a moral dilemma

I heard extracts of this book and decided it was worth a listen. The early chapters are great and were really engaging and thought provoking. I felt it lost it's way towards the end as it became a little too much about the author rather than the artists. But it was enjoyable, entertaining and eye opening. I have already started recommending it to friends to read.

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Very good

Very interesting and human. A very well put together book. Loved it. Very thought provoking. Also above all human.

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Good concept but problematic

Too much emphasis on what the author thinks and feels. She goes down self indulgent rabbit holes for example her views on the film Manhattan. Some very problematic comparisons for me that seem to almost victim blame. Great concept and overall interesting but it needs more editing and direction from its editors.

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Beautiful writing

I thoroughly enjoyed this book beginning to end.
Thought provoking and excellent use of anecdotal evidence and faultless descriptions of complex emotions.

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