Polari prize nominees withdraw over inclusion of 'terf' John Boyne

Maybe, but a very sad situation.

My book group is reading Earth next month - that's a few extra book sales going his way. Better than an award, surely? 😉

I'm an ex-UCD student, does not surprise me at all that this society (as said above, it's a society award not a university award) is swayed by things like that.

This is so hypocritical given that they had quoted his “insistence on empathy, justice, and authenticity” and his confrontation of “uncomfortable truths with courage” as reasons to give him the award, just before changing their mind and withdrawing it. Without bothering to tell him.

As the article points out, it is a student society award, not an official UCD one, so that makes it a bit less shocking.

Boyne himself is hopefully seeing these awards as upside-down-world awards, where not getting them is the badge of honour.

This is so shocking almost feel it needs its own thread to catch the notice of those checking the FWR index.

Honestly dont know how these people think, or can live with themselves.

For anyone having problems with the archive link try this one https://archive.is/Q92tr

John Boyne suffering more fuckwittery

https://archive.ph/Q92tr

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/12/gender-critical-author-denied-second-literary-honour/

I think a bit of "do unto others as they would do unto you" can be excused.

If they perform such behaviour themselves, and it's only impacting them, then go ahead and do it to them.

Either they were breaking the golden rule of "do unto others as you would be done to", in which case I think some come-uppance is justified, or maybe they are actually morally consistent and hence would approve of or even encourage you boycotting them for their opinions.

I'm a big advocate for separating artists from the art, or the literary canon would be a very empty place. But I agree with you: I'm also not keen on supporting those who engage in this kind of performative demonstration with my money, either (financial boycotting not being at all the same thing as these authors were trying to do). Voting with your feet works, cf. Bud Light.

This is craven cowardice.

Either stand up for your convictions, or don't. This is a weak cop-out.

Oh, I’m not into cancellation at all, it’s a personal choice that I don’t expect or demand anyone else to follow. I’m just uncomfortable with supporting authors who gather together in a mob to cancel someone else. Happy to read books by transwomen or transmen, happy to read books that feature trans characters, as long as the author hasn’t been a bully hiding behind the safety of numbers.
For instance, you can write about cannibalistic child abuse but you can’t handle an established author holding a view contrary to your own? Get a grip.

Luckily for us ours is not the censorious side of the discussion that believes in 'cancelling' people. That accolate belongs to those engaging in the childish demonstration seeking to cancel Boyne.

Otherwise, given my own screen handle I suppose I should be joining you! 😂

(Edited to say I'm so glad the book-buying public appears to be voting via their £ - which in the end is the final aribiter of who gets 'cancelled' and who doesn't).

Didn’t buy Mere or an AK Benedict book today. Exercising my choice not to fund bullies.

I’m due a namechange though, this one is taken from Adam Leslie’s debut novel

I didn't like The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas at all, for similar reasons to those detailed upthread, but ironically it's precisely because of those faults that it makes for a good teaching experience.

I've stuck Elements on my wish list.

Oh my god that list of names is enormous. Horrific. Haven’t heard of (m)any of them though

I've just read the comments - only a few, but excoriating!

My word. That's an awfully long list of Literally Who types.

Quite a few Irish names, which is par for the course. I'm tempted to look into some of them, because the Irish literary world is not big.

Here you go!

https://medium.com/@nnimhaoileoin/author-statement-on-the-polari-prize-longlist-42111cca1c53

Great news about the boost to John Boyne's sales! I can’t find the open letter at all - interested to see who has signed it, does anyone have a link?

Very sad to see Danielle Giles on that petition. Mere is one of my favourite books of the year so far.

I also know one of the writers who signed - an old work colleague (I work in publishing). Not surprised to see her there at all.

The denizens of the literary ivory towers show themselves to be out of touch with the actual reading, book-buying public again.

Got the Elements on pre order.

I’m so happy support for JB has tangibly shown itself in his book sales. I’m glad to be one of those who immediately bought all four Elements novellas and read them back to back over a few days.

Up yours, Polari!

Arts Council is fully captured. Their employee Denise Fahmy took them to court, won and has now set up Freedom in the Arts. Arts Council, National Lottery, all of them are part of the problem! Today she took Index on censorship to task for their weak response to the Nat Library of Scotland fiasco.

"in polari position"
:)
Fab

Boyne getting huge sales boost. People like truth telling authors.

J.K. Rowling

@jk_rowling
Readers are currently way more liberal than the craven elitists running book festivals and literary prizes.

John Boyne Books
For some inexplicable reason, my book sales increased hugely last week in UK/Ire & the ENTIRE Top 4 Bestsellers are my ELEMENTS novellas again!
In polari position one might say.
Maybe we're all sick of the bullshit & the bullies?
Pre-order The Elements:
https://linktr.ee/johnboyneelements

I haven’t read the whole thread but some have mentioned Arts England in passing but it would seem to be their hands are all over the later responses from Polari. I don’t know but imagine Arts England is pretty much full captured but I seem to remember they’ve been in the dock before on this topic and lost?