The Rise of Cancel Culture in Literature
Picture this: You’re curled up with a cup of coffee, re-reading Harry Potter for the tenth time, feeling that warm nostalgia—only to remember the heated debates surrounding J.K. Rowling. Suddenly, the question pops into your head: Should I still enjoy this? If you’ve ever had this internal struggle, you’re not alone.
Cancel culture has taken the literary world by storm, making us question the morality of supporting certain authors. But is it fair to judge a book by its creator? Or is an author’s personal life inextricably linked to their work? Let’s dive into the drama, the debates, and the gray areas of “canceled” literature.
Notable Cases of “Canceled” Authors
Some authors have found themselves in hot water over controversial opinions, offensive remarks, or problematic pasts. Let’s break down some of the most talked-about cases:
📚 J.K. Rowling – Love her books or hate her views, there’s no denying Rowling’s impact on literature. However, her repeated comments on transgender issues have led to widespread backlash, with fans boycotting Harry Potter merchandise, renaming Quidditch, and even rewriting parts of the story to be more inclusive. Still, millions continue to enjoy the Wizarding World, leading to a never-ending debate about whether you can separate Hogwarts from its creator.
📚 Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game is a sci-fi classic, but Card’s outspoken anti-LGBTQ+ views have tainted his reputation. When the movie adaptation was released, many called for a boycott, though others argued that the book’s themes of empathy and leadership should stand on their own.
📚 Sherman Alexie – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian has been a staple in classrooms, celebrated for its raw honesty about Native American identity. But after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced, schools and libraries reconsidered whether his work belonged in their curriculum.
📚 Dr. Seuss – Yes, even the beloved children’s author was reevaluated. Some of his earlier works contained racist caricatures, leading to six of his books being pulled from publication. This sparked debates over historical context vs. modern values—should we erase problematic works or use them as teaching tools?
The Argument for Separating Art from the Artist
So, should we still enjoy these books? Some argue yes, and here’s why:
🔹 Art is timeless – A book’s impact can outlive its author’s controversies. Can we still appreciate The Great Gatsby even though F. Scott Fitzgerald was allegedly abusive? Many say yes.
🔹 Personal morality is subjective – If we started canceling every author with problematic views, we’d lose a huge chunk of classic literature (H.P. Lovecraft, Charles Dickens, Roald Dahl—the list goes on!).
🔹 Boycotting limits intellectual engagement – Literature is meant to challenge us. Instead of erasing controversial works, some believe we should engage critically and discuss their flaws openly.
The Argument Against Separating Art from the Artist
But many readers argue that supporting an author’s work is inherently supporting their views. Here’s why:
🚫 Money and influence matter – Every book sale, movie ticket, or streaming view can put money in an author’s pocket, potentially giving them more power to spread harmful ideologies.
🚫 Representation and harm – If an author has made harmful statements about a marginalized group, should their stories still be embraced? For example, some argue that Rowling’s depiction of goblins in Harry Potter is rooted in anti-Semitic stereotypes.
🚫 Accountability is important – If we excuse problematic behavior just because a book is good, what message does that send? Many believe that holding authors accountable can lead to a more ethical literary world.
Navigating the Gray Area
Most readers don’t see this debate as black and white. Here are some middle-ground solutions people are adopting:
✔ Buying books secondhand – This way, you enjoy the book without directly funding the author. ✔ Engaging critically – You can appreciate a book while acknowledging its flaws (hello, Twilight and its problematic romance tropes!). ✔ Supporting diverse authors – Instead of dwelling on problematic figures, why not uplift new voices? If you love fantasy but want an alternative to Rowling, check out Legendborn by Tracy Deonn or Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.
The Dark Side of the Young Adult Genre: Unpacking the Controversies
Young adult (YA) fiction is a genre beloved by many. It introduces us to magical worlds, thrilling adventures, and intense romances. But as much as we love the genre, it’s not without its flaws. From problematic tropes to the overuse of trauma, YA books have faced growing criticism over the years. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the most controversial aspects of YA literature.
The Overuse of Trauma as a Plot Device
One of the biggest criticisms of YA fiction is its heavy reliance on trauma to shape a character’s arc. It’s almost a cliché at this point—dead parents, abusive relationships, depression, self-harm, or other deeply tragic backstories that drive the plot forward.
While addressing real-world issues is important, some books exploit pain for shock value rather than treating these topics with nuance and care. Books like A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole and It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (often read by YA audiences despite being New Adult) use trauma to heighten emotions, but at times, it feels like a way to manipulate readers rather than build meaningful character development.
The key issue? Some YA books treat trauma as a personality trait rather than something that needs to be explored with depth and healing. While stories that handle trauma responsibly can be incredibly powerful, authors must be mindful of how they use it.
Problematic Romance Tropes
YA books are filled with romance tropes—some we love, some we tolerate, and some that need to be left behind.
📖 The Love Triangle – A girl torn between two love interests (Twilight, The Hunger Games, ACOTAR). More often than not, the tension feels forced, and it leaves the protagonist with little agency outside of their romantic choices.
📖 Enemies to Lovers (But Make It Toxic) – Who doesn’t love some tension? But when the love interest insults, gaslights, or physically threatens the protagonist (The Cruel Prince, Shatter Me), we have to ask—are we just romanticizing abuse?
📖 The “I’m Not Like Other Girls” Trope – YA heroines are often quirky, tomboyish, or bookish—and somehow, that makes them “better” than girls who enjoy traditionally feminine things. (Divergent, The Selection, Shadow and Bone all fall into this trap.) Strength doesn’t have to mean rejecting femininity!
The Pressure to Age Up YA Content
YA books have definitely started pushing boundaries, especially in terms of mature content. Books like A Court of Thorns and Roses and From Blood and Ash contain explicit sex scenes, extreme violence, and dark themes, yet they’re still categorized as YA in many places.
Some argue that older teens should have access to mature stories. But should these books still be labeled as YA? Or should they fall under the New Adult (NA) category instead? With so many younger readers picking up these books, the question of clearer age rating systems becomes more important.
The Lack of Diversity and Representation
While YA has made strides in diversity, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Some recurring issues include:
📌 The Token Diverse Character – Many books throw in one Black, LGBTQ+, or disabled character to check a box (looking at you, The Mortal Instruments), but their stories often revolve around supporting the white, straight protagonist.
📌 White-Washed Fantasy Worlds – Why do so many fantasy books (Throne of Glass, The Selection) create entire kingdoms and universes where people of color barely exist? There’s no reason high fantasy can’t be diverse!
📌 Lack of Intersectionality – Some books attempt diversity but end up portraying marginalized characters as one-dimensional. LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters shouldn’t exist just to teach the main character a lesson.
Authors like Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone) and Elizabeth Acevedo (The Poet X) have been working to change the game, but there’s still progress to be made.
The Impact of Social Media and “Hype Culture”
Social media has completely changed how YA books are marketed, but not always for the better.
Platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram can turn a book into an overnight sensation (Fourth Wing, anyone?), but with great hype comes great pressure. When a book doesn’t live up to expectations, readers feel let down—or even afraid to say they didn’t like it.
Then there’s the issue of author drama. Some authors take criticism way too personally, lashing out at reviewers online (cough Sarah J. Maas Twitter drama cough). When authors and fans collide in online spaces, it can create a toxic environment where honest discussion gets drowned out by aggressive fandoms.
Does hype culture help YA books or hurt them? That’s up for debate.
The Erasure of Parental Figures in YA
Something we don’t talk about enough—why are parents always missing in YA books?
A huge number of YA protagonists are either orphans, have absentee parents, or are forced to raise themselves. Think about it:
📌 Harry Potter – Orphaned, raised by abusive relatives. 📌 The Hunger Games – Katniss takes on the parental role for her family. 📌 Percy Jackson – A single mother, but mostly absent due to his demigod status. 📌 Six of Crows – Kaz, Inej, and the entire crew are essentially on their own. 📌 Cinder – Orphaned and mistreated by her stepmother in The Lunar Chronicles. 📌 Divergent – Tris’s parents die early in the series, forcing her to navigate the world alone. 📌 Shadow and Bone – Alina grows up in an orphanage with no parental guidance.
While some stories need this setup, in many cases, it feels like an excuse to let teens navigate impossible struggles alone. But is this normalizing the idea that teens shouldn’t rely on supportive adults? More YA books should showcase strong parental relationships or positive adult figures—because not every teen is completely on their own.
Conclusion:
YA fiction is an amazing genre, but that doesn’t mean we can’t call out its flaws. From overused trauma plots to lackluster diversity and toxic romance tropes, there’s a lot to unpack.
So, let’s hear from you! What’s your biggest YA book pet peeve? Do you think the genre is improving, or are we stuck in a cycle of the same issues? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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A Personal Choice
At the end of the day, choosing who to support is your decision. Some readers can separate art from the artist, while others feel it’s impossible. There’s no “right” answer—just personal ethics and what sits right with you.
So, where do you stand? Do you still read books by problematic authors, or have you left them in the past? Let’s chat in the comments