Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

JK Rowling called ‘Britain’s nastiest novelist’ in New Statesman

136 replies

IwantToRetire · 16/01/2024 01:26

After setting out the examples of nastiness in recent works including The Ink Black Heart and The Running Grave, he stated that Rowling has evolved “from saint-like Labour Party-supporting children’s author to polemical political activist, seemingly obsessive about the tabloid media, Scottish nationalism and, most provocatively for her millennial readers, gender-critical feminism”.

He claimed that she lacks “self-awareness” because she “condemns vicious keyboard warriors and hysterical reactionaries in her books but engages in similar behaviour herself online”.

“In another world, JK Rowling could be a character in a book by Robert Galbraith: brittle, insecure, cruel.”

Following the backlash, the New Statesman appeared to alter the original headline to “JK Rowling, Britain’s Gloriously Nasty Novelist”.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/15/jk-rowling-called-britains-nastiest-novelist-new-statesman/

I dont think it is a surprise that some male writer would say this. The question is why would the New Statesman want to publish it?

Article behind paywall but can be read at https://archive.ph/LJMFL

JK Rowling called ‘Britain’s nastiest novelist’ in New Statesman review condemned as misogynistic

The article argued that the author has become a ‘polemicist’ and ‘liberal pariah’ because of her views on gender

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/15/jk-rowling-called-britains-nastiest-novelist-new-statesman

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Rightsraptor · 16/01/2024 08:32

I saw this yesterday and was immediately struck by him using the word 'nasty'. He could have chosen another adjective but he went for that one. It has, for me at least, undertones of slyness, duplicitousness, vindictiveness.

He seems to be confusing the author with her work, which many people do with actors etc, but I wouldn't expect such simplistic thinking from a critic.

It's long been noted that women writers predominate in crime fiction. It's an interesting phenomenon and I'm thinking I may join their ranks, with my first novel about a much-loved author and the gruesome murder of a nasty critic.

GrumpyPanda · 16/01/2024 08:11

Needmoresleep · 16/01/2024 01:51

Hannah Barnes is an Associate Editor at the New Statesman. Editorial meetings must be interesting.

They published the Dawkins article too - although delayed publication in order to "balance" it out with the usual drivel.

I did read the JKR piece yesterday when it all erupted on Twitter. I'm shocked- shocked! - at a crime writer featuring murders and murderers, that's truly naughty. She should have stayed in the little lady lane, maybe gone for chick lit.

TheaBrandt · 16/01/2024 08:02

Very funny these inadequate weedy middle aged men getting all upset at a strong woman speaking up.

ElBandito · 16/01/2024 07:59

Being pointed out on X that this is the same Nick Hilton who gave Mr Bates vs the Post Office 3 stars and said it was hard to imagine anyone sticking with it.

Thewateriswide · 16/01/2024 07:25

They never seem to understand that 50+% of the readership, country, world, are female and completely pissing off that many women is an incredibly stupid thing to do.

Crankywiddershins · 16/01/2024 07:13

Maybe she should write about it. "Harry Potter and the frothing misogynist" or "Harry Potter and the Deadly Misgendering"?

Delphinium20 · 16/01/2024 02:41

"Nasty woman" is straight out of Donald Trump's playbook. Not a very original insult, is it?

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 16/01/2024 02:13

That makes it even more puzzling as to why they would publish such a silly goady sixth form incel drivel.

OP posts:
Cancelledcurio · 16/01/2024 01:52

Horrible misogynist. She's such a fab woman! Never met her but she is such a wise,kind soul and strikes me as a friend to women! They FEAR her power!!! Good!!!

Needmoresleep · 16/01/2024 01:51

Hannah Barnes is an Associate Editor at the New Statesman. Editorial meetings must be interesting.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 16/01/2024 01:38

The guy deactivated his Twitter account and deleted a goady tweet he made promoting his article due to the amount of pushback he received.

Swipe left for the next trending thread