Thanks for getting in touch, Richard, and you should be receiving Days Without End soon! I hope you like it and if you get a chance let me know what you think once you've read it. :)
So agree with you on this. One of my favourite novels is As Meat Love Salt. This features a very passionate gay love story yet the current edition features a woman on the cover and the blurb only refers to "a forbidden love affair". Insults everyone.
Yes! Great example! As Meat Love Salt is an epic novel. It feels like some marketers at publishers don't take into account the intelligence of a reading audience. It feels so sad when great writing is sold as trashier or sensationalist.
"Brothers in arms" makes me think of my grandmother referring to her neighbors as each other's "special friend." Thanks for this rant and recommendations! Now I'm angry too. You are not overacting.
Oh my goodness, I have to admit to feeling some fear and trepidation when I pressed play on your video as without doubt this is my most favourite book of the year so far. I thought it was going to be a video about why you hated it. Must have missed your review video last year. Agree with everything you have to say Eric. Distinctly benign and muted promotion for what is such a powerfully visceral book. I'm sat here trying to recall anything I've read in the last few years which features a love story which is so utterly believable, natural and moving. For Barry to have set their relationship within a context of the violence and civil war of the time makes it an outstanding novel. He thoroughly deserved his Costa win... and yet I don't see it being talked about, either here on BookTube, or within my rl or online book clubs. A great shame. All I can hope is that it's a slow burner and given time it will get the recognition it deserves.
Yes, the content and the author are brilliant. Part of the reason I feel so incensed about the way the presentation of it is handled is that it is such a radical book yet they made it feel like just another historical novel. Other readers I've talked to say they were put off by the jacket and description on the back which is partly why it's been so little discussed on all the reading outlets you mention. It's such a shame, but hopefully as you say it will gain recognition in time.
When I first came across this book I read the blurb I immediately went "nah." I'm not into civil war stories, and since that's really all it said, I didn't see anything in the book for me. It wasn't until I saw Simon on Savidge Reads talking about it that I realized there was so much more to it. I love the idea of the gay love story, I love the potential discussion of family that will come with their relationship with the young girl they adopt. Simon also talked about the origin of the book, which made me want to read it even more - and which I think makes this marketing mess even more upsetting. I know that marketing books can be a very complex and challenging thing - figuring out the target audience(s), how the art and descriptions will appeal best to them and how to get it into the right hands so that buzz will start and grow. It's not an easy thing, and there are bound to be mistakes made every now and then. But I feel like this was a massive one. I suspect many readers like myself have been turned off by the blurb of this book and not had the benefit I did of being an avid BookTube/Book Blog follower who gets to hear much more beyond the blurb. It angers me that what should be the target audience might miss out on this book entirely because of it. I also think that, while I get not wanting to alienate existing readers of Barry's work, any reader of this book is going to find out what the book is about pretty quickly anyway. So anyone who is turned off by the LGBTQ+ content is still going to have a bad time with it and not go on to recommend it. And frankly, they don't deserve it. In addition to which the people who would love and recommend the book are not going to pick it up at all, which means that audience and the potential word of mouth we generate is largely lost as well. So I agree with you - there were some bad decisions made about marketing this book, and ones that seem to have had some questionable and upsetting reasoning behind them. I'm angry about it too, and resent that I nearly missed out on a book that is right down my street. Thanks for making this video - I think it's something that really deserves to be discussed, and hopefully the publishers will take some notes and learn from this mistake!
Thanks! I'm glad you agree. I suppose the good thing is that this book will stick around for a long time so gradually more and more people who will benefit from and appreciate it as a gay love story as they continue to discover it.
Very true. And I think since it has been in multiple awards lists that gets more people talking about it - and anyone (other than the publisher) who has read it talks about the LGBTQ+ aspect, so the more it is discussed, the more people get an accurate idea of what it is.
I actually had heard great things about this novel but I hesitated when I got the chance to pick up the book in a bookshop because I was confused and I was not sure it was the same novel! I read the blurb and I kept thinking : I'm pretty sure it's about a gay love story but why is this so vague?? In the end I bought it confiding in my memory and yes it was the right book but now that I know it was on purpose I am angry as well
I'm sure lots of people have had that confusion where any good review will discuss this aspect of the novel but then when someone goes to buy it they'll wonder if they've got the right one.
I know being able to read diverse books has helped me grow and learn to love myself for who I am. You are so incredibly well-spoken, I totally agree with you.
I was delightfully surprised by McNulty's relationship with Cole. I can understand why it would be a helpful selling point for anyone looking for a book about male lovers but, personally, I enjoyed the way it was unveiled in the story. Instead of hinging on McNulty being gay, the author reveals his sexual orientation casually, thereby emphasizing that it's perfectly natural.
Yes, I love how he does that in the story! It's a tricky thing because in a way that lovely surprise should be preserved for the reader to discover but, at the same time, I feel like so many readers who will love and benefit from this novel won't be aware of it if they don't know about this crucial central part of the book.
Even though I enjoyed the way McNulty's relationship with Cole was revealed, I understand where you're coming from, and I agree with you. Thankfully there are booktubers like you (and me) to discuss this important element of the book. I'll certainly be mentioning that aspect of the book in my forthcoming video review of the book.
I totally agree. As readers, if the publishers leave out a very key facet of a novel with their synopsis on the book, marketing etc, it makes it hard for us when we are looking for particular books to read, and it makes it hard, especially for people after 'own voices' books, like this one. And to be honest, yes, I am very interested in it now. Maybe for his next book, you should market it :)
Absolutely! The whole key to good marketing should be making people who are the perfect audience for a book aware that it exists - but they've missed out a huge section of that audience. And yes, I'm game if Faber would hire me, but I doubt they would after my criticism of their campaign. :)
If I were Faber I'd take this as constructive feedback - after all, getting books into the right hands (and hands that will pass it on) is the whole point!
I read this book early this year and loved it; I'm saddened to hear its not selling as well as it could. The mismanaged publishing hadn't occured to me, but now you mention it I see its so obvious!
I didn't really think about it either until I read this brief from Faber and realised how blatantly they'd left this aspect of the novel out of the whole campaign.
I completely agree with you. I recently picked up this book and was so pleasantly with the gorgeous exploration of gay love and gender identity, but also disappointed that those themes weren’t highlighted in the synopsis. It would have allowed a bigger and younger audience to such captivating novel.
I am very, very glad that the gay love story revealed itself in the story, not the marketing. It was a story from a long time ago. It all seemed very real. I loved the entire amazing story and all of the issues - the Irish famine, the coffin ships, starvation, the civil wars, the First Nations massacres, and in amongst it was a Love Story. One of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read. The fact that it was between two men was inconsequential. It wasn't a 'gay book', it was a novel. I found it to be fundamentally normalising and historical and began to consider historical love stories, homosexual or heterosexual more contextually. I'm glad it wasn't marketed as a LGBTQ book. I probably wouldn't have read it.
This video is so important, thank you. Especially the part near the end about putting gay stories back into history where they've been taken out - spot on
Not over-reacting at all! The publisher has certainly done a disservice to the author, the reading public and to the story itself. Thank you for your video - I'm off to order myself a copy! :)
It's terrible that publishers seek to put books in the closet in this way, probably because of fears of 'alienating' straight readers - not only did they omit to mention the gay relationship, but actively cloaking it and masking in the language you mention is reprehensible. We surely no longer need to pander to people who might be 'put off' by gay content?! I'd be interested to know if you've made your concerns known to Faber, and if you've had any response from them...?
It does seem a curiously reactionary strategy for marketing a book. I haven't personally sent them my thoughts about this and I've not had any response from them. It'd be brilliant if they brought out a new "loud and proud" edition for international LGBT+ pride day! :)
I just talked about this book as a relation to Booker Prize and I though reading the blurb at the end that this is a love triangle with this "young Indian girl" - as this is marketed for us to think so, "brothers in arms", a "young Indian girls" appears and complication happen - this sounds like a bloody love triangle and I was corrected that this young Indian girl is a child and those guys are in love with each other... THAT is absolutely bananas how this book is marketed. I agree with everything that you said, and I feel stupid I got fooled...
The description on the book is definitely confusing and cagey so it's totally understandable that you were unsure what the real story is about. It's bizarre that the publisher purposely obscured the real story. I've heard from lots of people that they were put off because it sounds from the description like a standard historical novel when really it's quite revolutionary I think.
I'm very intrigued now. PS we do share the same life story re growing up in a rural area and craving for something you can relate too , I mean like many of us did...
That's good to know Kamil. It takes a lot of strength of character to believe in yourself and find people and things you can relate to outside of your own circumscribed place of birth. I think you'll find a lot to connect with in Sebastian Barry's novel and I look forward to hearing your thoughts about it.
I just finished reading a book called Faber and Faber, published this year 2019, and the content completely taken from the historical letters of the original Fabers. As I remember the book it was a family member who was proud of what his family had built and accomplished. All I can say is OMG this is so far from what the original group of publishers intended to be placed into readership that I was shocked. They even used to send monthly checks to authors who were having trouble eating and paying bills and writing. The people they supported both financially and emotionally were among some of best and brightest. I only wish that you had been able to take a copy of this new book and ask...what is going on here !! Well done, Eric ! Lee K.
I appreciate your sweet spirit. I'm sorry this book wasn't handled in a more advantageous way for people who need books like this one! I think you're so kind, and I love how graciously you shared how you feel. Oh how I wish we would all not only accept but love each other!!! We all struggle with something...why do we make it harder for each other. 😰 people can be so mean...and it's just wrong.
I skipped this book because "brothers at arms" just seemed like it was going to be a Civil War buddy novel and I'm already iffy on reading dudebro buddy stories and anything set during the Civil War. I'm definitely going to check it out now though.
I just made a video like this about The Seven Husbands Evelyn Hugo and someone commented talking about this book so I looked it up and saw your face and instantly clicked! I agree with you 100%, I would NEVER have thought to pick up this book if I heard of it (which I haven't until now) because with the marketing alone makes it sound very hetero. But because of you, I just ordered a copy! Thank you for sharing your perspective back in 2016!
Ah haha! It’s so fun getting a comment on such an old video. I’d seen you posted a video about Evelyn Hugo but not watched it yet because I’ve not read the book yet - it is one I’ve been really wanting to get to though and if it’s received a similar washing over of the real issues it’s about than I’m even more up for it. Thanks and hope you enjoy Sebastian Barry’s novel when you get time to read it. ❤️
Eric, thank you for this! Very glad you decided to speak out. It's not always an easy thing to do. I am itching to read it and am heading to my local library later today to pick it up. For quite a while, I've been aware of the dearth of historical fiction with gay characters, relationships, or themes. It's a shame the publisher doesn't seem to have any cojones.
Oh that's interesting and a great shame - I thought international publishers might take a different route but I guess quite often they lead off from the marketing style of whatever country it was published in first.
You are not being overly sensitive. The publisher's trepidation about being clear about the love story is only a symptom of a larger problem. By doing what they've done, they're perpetuating larger injustices against the LGBTQ community. And yes, with the vague description on the jacket, I would assume the book is about war and avoid it. If I had read a more accurate description, I would be much more likely to read it. They've not only done a disservice to the author and the gay community, but to themselves, as well. People who want to read a gay love story won't be able to find it and people who want a brotherly war story will be disappointed. If they have such a problem with it, why did they publish it in the first place? Good for you, Eric, for speaking out!
I absolutely agree and salute you for calling Faber out on it. I've been so puzzled by the marketing around Days Without End! I had no idea of the LGBT themes of the book until I started to read blog reviews and then when I read the blurb on the back I was puzzled. It made it sound as though the gay love story was going to be covert or unrequited, when in fact Barry is so straightforward about the whole thing. I think it shows a serious lack of nerve and is totally out of step with the times; it's offensive to Barry's loyal readership too. It makes me wonder if Faber would have even published the book if it wasn't by an established author?
Yes, good point, it is doing a real disservice to Barry's fans to not let them know what the book is really about too. And that's a good question - although they publish some quite daring fiction - maybe they wouldn't have taken this on if it wasn't for Barry being such an established author.
I had absolutely no intention of reading this book because it seemed to me like any other war story which I am not really into. I HAD NO IDEA OF THE TRUE CONTENT, for all I have heard about the book. (And now I am quite eager to check it out!) I do not think you are overreacting at all, because it was very deliberate and very old fashioned AND disrespectful. It is really a shame that they felt the need to do this. Hopefully, more people will know and it will be read more. Thank you so much for this video!
No, I don't think you're overreacting or being too sensitive at all. I really applaud you for taking a stand on this. I read about Days Without End in The Guardian but I'm really looking forward to it now.
Thanks! Alex Clark wrote a great review of it in the Guardian and she was a judge alongside me at the British Book Award. It was interesting talking about it with her. I hope you get a chance to read it and if you do let me know what you think. :)
Nothing bigger and more important than to have good core values. You're a gem. I wonder how the author himself feels about his publisher's rather bold way of a "subtle" cover up.
Eric, thank you for making this video. You are not overreacting at all - things like that should be pointed out and publishers should be called out. The publisher is assuming too much by thinking the book will alienate straight people. As a straight person myself I bought this book because it is a gay love story, because I want to read something different from my experience. And I can only imagine how important it is to someone who can see their own experience reflected in this book or books like it. Thank you for speaking out.
I'm really glad to see you calling this out, Eric, and so eloquently. It's really disappointing to hear. Do you think it also speaks to the lack of diversity in publishing overall? I thought you might address that too. I get the impression that the publisher chose to side-step not only due to reservations about Barry's existing readership, but also in fear of it being embraced or even challenged by a gay readership.
I think it's definitely an indication of how conservative publishers are generally - although Faber do seem generally willing to take on diverse authors like Nadeem Aslam & Petina Gappah as I mentioned, but they seem nervous about celebrating this diversity. I can't imagine a gay readership challenging this portrayal of a gay couple - even though it was written by a straight author, but maybe they were nervous this would be the case and it might cause controversy. Who knows?
Great video, Eric. I had no interest in reading this prior to watching your video (despite having enjoyed some of Barry's previous books) and now I'm really keen to read it. So pleased you've spoken about this.
Thanks for this video! When I heard that Barry dedicated it to his gay son, I was expecting something a little different, but it the end I felt it was perfectly balanced and unselfconscious about presenting all of its subjects. It really is such a shame that this book hasn't been selling as it is one of the best books I've read this year, and your observations about marketing are spot on-almost as if they were worried about some early 20th century obscenity charge if they said too much!. This is also on the shortlist for the Walter Scott Prize, which will be announced in June, although the profile of that prize is minuscule (at least here in the U.S.) compared to the Costa. Anyway, I think it deserves a wider readership and maybe this video will help that happen. Barry was a new author for me, so after reading Days Without End I promptly purchased two more novels.
Thank you for the thoughtful response. It was the first book I've read by him as well and now I'm keen to read his previous books also - especially because many have a family connection to the protagonist of Days Without End. This book should really be a jumping off point for readers to discover more of Barry's writing but it really is as if the publishers were hoping to just hide it as an anomaly in the author's oeuvre.
You're quite welcome. My mom has just picked it up Days Without End, and I'm betting she'll ask me if I have any more of Barry's books when she's done.
Shocked to hear that this sold worse than recent Costa winners. Having had the misfortune to buy Pure, which was rubbish compared to Days Without End, a great injustice has been allowed to develop.
I came across this and watched it with interest because I have just brought this after hearing Simon at savidgereads raving about it. But, when I read the blurb on the back in the shop I questioned if it was the right book because it didn’t seem to be referring to the story I was expecting. It certainly seems like tactical marketing.
Ah had a faber and faber editor come in to my creative writing class the other week. Wish I'd seen your video then I could'be confronted him about this!!!!! Great video.
Thanks, Eric. I'm in complete agreement with you about the disappointing and almost misleading promotion of this fine novel. Good for you for making the effort to so eloquently speak up about it.
I've constantly been put off from reading this book because every time I pick it up, it just looks like a book about the american civil war which I have very little interest in. Even though I knew it had the gay relationship in from its reviews, when I went to buy the book it still gave the impression that it would primarily be about the war. Now that I know the main focus is the relationship between the two men, I'll almost certainly buy it next time because that's the sort of novel I'm interested in! The way it was presented and marketed definitely prevented me from buying it, which I expect is the opposite of what they planned! I think you definitely have a right to be angry, but I also think that the publishers have sold themselves short in marketing the book in this way and missed out on a whole other readership. I've just discovered your channel but love what I've seen so far; I love that you're so passionate about books and can't wait to see your future videos!
You would think in 2017, that you could promote a book as a gay romance set in the Civil War and no one would bat and eye. It actually sounds like a book that would appeal to me on many different levels. When you think of writers in the 50's and 60's writing about queer themes like Gore Vidal, James Baldwin, Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, that took so much courage. The New York Times book reviews were known to be homophobic. Publishers should be upfront these days when publishing queer themed books.
To be honest the way they promoted confused me a bit. The first time i read about the novel was in an article and it was clear that it has a gay love story in it, but when i read how they promoted the book i thought i was wrong the first time. So it wasn't after the booker nomination that it was clear the subject of the novel. Maybe it's because Barry is an already established author and this novel is different from his previous ones. Curiously i read about the difficult it was to publish Ross Raisin's A natural, but in that case the fact that the main character is gay was only a minor hurdle, it was the football what was supposed a burden., Publishers thought such theme won't be interesting for female readers and well, in most countries if you can't attract female readers you have a big problem
Do you know Samuel R. Delany? 10 yrs ago, in 2012, he released a novel called "Through The Valley of The Nest of Spiders." The novel's premise arose from a challenge he heard once (I think on a bus?) that a really challenging novel would be one depicting a successful & longterm interracial relationship. So the novel is about two young men, one black & one white, who meet in 2003 & then the novel follows them as they grow old together, several decades into the future. But although some sci-fi elements come through, they are just background context for the romance. Why am I telling you this. Well, the 1st edition had several errors. So many, that for a time you had to print an "errata" document & read that along with the novel (it is almost 900 pgs long). Recently, I wanted to buy a copy of the novel. The 1st printing is outrageously expensive; however, there's a newer printing Delany self-published. The thing is, it's through amazon. I work for a little independent rare & new books shop: I cannot in good conscience order books off amazon. So? I actually wrote Delany & asked him. Saying I wanted to support the novel, but also wanted to know why he chose to self-publish it through them... And his reply? was no one would publish it. He spent years trying & no one would pick it up. Even the 1st publisher basically botched the 1st edition, right? At the same time, it was too costly to self-publish a novel nearly 900 pgs long any other way. So, amazon it was. I just think that speaks volumes & volumes about the publishing industry, gay media marketing, etc. :/
I’m very aware of Delany and always meant to read his books but haven’t done so yet. That’s really interesting to know that history and how these titles get squeezed out of mainstream publishing. Thanks so much for your comment.
@@EricKarlAnderson Of course! thanks for your channel. Also: "Babel-17" can be a good starting place with Delany, for some people (esp. those who love the film "Arrival" & would be curious of a similar story, except with a poet-pirate woman who is also bi, Asian, and telepathic) ....but my all-time favorite *for sure* is "Stars In My Pocket Like Grains of Sand." The queerest novel I've ever read: and that goes for what it does to language, too. Don't be scared off by the genre label. It's incredible literature.
Such a shame that publishers seem to have a lack of faith in the genre as I do think there is a readership out there. I remember a couple years ago I was looking for LGBT fiction to read. All I could find, after a lot of searching, was Geography Club ( a charming wee book and not a dire set of abs on the cover for a change). I'm sure there is a lot of good LGBT fiction out there but it does seem to be hidden away. I'll need to give this a wee read.
I'm not gay, but I write novels as a hobby of mine, and I'm always on the look out for books that deal with or have diverse characters. LBGT character are a particularly interest for mine, especially with everything going on in the world with equal rights for everyone, so I'm always on the look out for a good book that deals with characters like this. And I think that you're right, trying to hide away the fact that the book is centered on two men's love during war is a bad idea. I haven't read this book yet, but I'm going to, since you recommend it. But I think the publishers should market it positively as a LBGT book, regardless of any backlash they may think might come there way from the general public.
Shame on you Faber!! Thank you Eric for standing up for what you believe in. It WAS cowardly and if I hadn't chatted to you at the Headline party about this wonderful book I may have missed the fact that it celebrates gay love as it certainly isn't marketed as that!
Just seeing this review. It sounds like to me that the publisher should be paying you to do what they refused to do - properly present the book!!! I agree that leaving out the main crux of what the book entails is cowardly. I have never read a historical fiction (my jam) with homosexual couples in it, but I'd love to. Many books with homosexual themes seem to be tragic with someone dying, id love to read a story of triumph and love with adoption included!!! I'll definitely put this on my TBR! Great job and you're right - the publishers were really trying to hush up the relationship & the author should've spoke up to change that. After all, if you're dedicating it to your son who had experienced the pain of homophobia, why would you allow your publisher to hide what you are trying to show the world --- the beauty of love in all forms ???? And so in that respect, the author holds partial blame, in my opinion..... I wouldve insisted a clearer representation of my story.
Hey, my great-aunt had a same sex living partner :) Sister in arms? I'm so very sad that publishers feel as though they have to cover up the fact that there is homosexual content in books to make it salable. It's just disappointing and angering. I initially watched this video because I expected a rant about the book. Instead, I've found a book I want to read and I'm so glad you did this. Oooooh, A Place Called Winter - my Mom was reading this because Winter is only a few miles from where I grew up in Saskatchewan. I'm not sure what she thought of it as she tends to be extremely conservative.
Wow I didn't know any of this regarding how it was being published. I did think that the cover didn't reflect the content very well, but I didn't actually consider what was behind how it was marketed itself. I loved the power, and now this has given me a bit of a bitter after taste :-s
I really felt like they did the novel a disservice in the way they presented and marketed it, but of course that doesn't detract from the brilliance of the content.
I think they were just trying to sell this book to how many people they could, even those who had they known what the book is really about wouldn't have bought it...
Totally! Not only did they not satisfy the target public but also did they (probably) upset those who were not... I mean, why deceive people, be honest bout what you're selling
Thank you for putting this in so many words, Eric. Faber should take a leaf out of this video and be bold next time around. Really looking forward to reading this novel.
I am disappointed that this was even considered a good publishing strategy. You don't really see this among the YA crowd, for example, with some books (at least here) proudly announcing gay relationships in blurbs almost like a badge of honor. So it's not like the publishing world has any real excuse. These books don't alienate readerships. At least not as far as I know. So there is a known audience, in a highly popular genre with a readership with a vast age range no less. Why not take that chance with this book! I don't get it. Also brb, ordering this on bookdepository cause it sounds very interesting.
It is mainstream to have a front window book display of two gay male soldier’s intimately positioned, in a story that takes place during the USA Civil War. It definitely would attract attention, and sales!
So it was you! hahaha I was in Italy for my vacations and prior to catch a train there I bought a book, I was between this novel and Ali Smith's Autumn. I ended up getting Autumn, but was trying to remember where I had heard of Days Without End, and if the review as good or not. I get what you mean, I had on the back of my mind that It was a LGBT book but reading that description on the back I decided to put it aside :(
I love Judy Holiday at the start of your videos. Are you a fan of her movies? I love old movies. It was a shame she passed so young. Love your channel.
I'm a big Holliday fan! I think Born Yesterday is really her best and its theme of discovering a love of reading fits with booktube which is why I use the clip. But her movies Bells Are Ringing, The Solid Gold Cadillac & It Should Happen to You are great too. I'm lucky that I live not too far from the BFI Southbank in London that shows so many wonderful old movies on the big screen. What are some of your favourite old movies?
damesbooknook i actually found that Barry relied on the white savior trope that reeked of paternalism. There was this really progressive retelling of love on the frontier that couldn't help having the two main white protagonists rescue the native orphan. I think if this book had been written by an American or Canadian this element wouldn't have gotten a free pass, which it appears to have in the UK
Hi Loved your review! I was given A Long long way by my book club but wished we were given Days without End. I agree with your comments.. and will get my copy!
Hi, I actually did recommend A Place called Winter as my book club contribution and was really surprised and a little disgusted at the homophobic response I received..it has not stopped me " being the only gay in the village" !!! but you live and learn.
finally read this and I think that what's most worrying is the fact that the novel never challenges the notion of family as "the" social cell, even if that family is a sort of United-colors-of-benetton kind of family, such as the one that the trio forms. John is "handsome" and mysterious (those are the reasons for Thomas infatuation--no profundity there) and Thomas refers to Winona as her daughter. At some point John buys her the book "The American Lady's... duty, love and marriage". So my concerns are more on the side of this novel not questioning or resisting this solidified notion of the stereotypical family with fixed roles!
That's interesting. I hadn't thought of the story from that point of view. I think it felt like that was the right situation for the characters involved - their ideal of creating a cookie-cutter nuclear family wasn't a radical notion; the difference was just that they were two men who wanted to live like man and wife. I don't think it would have suited their personalities to have formed a commune-style family outside of traditional gender roles. But maybe this is cutting the author too much slack. I'll keep mulling this over. Thanks!
I have no idea how one can read this novel and think "It's about a gay relationship". It certainly involves a gay relationship - but it hardly is the theme that drives that novel.
Thank you: I can't agree more! Another thing that drives me crazy is having to scour through bookshops/video shops that don't have a gay section because they're too embarrassed or Christian to write Gay or LGBT. It's 2018 for goodness sakes! PS, today I bought Patrick Gale's "A place called Winter" (in the middle of the straight bookshelf, of course).
I see your point, but I have to put forward a counter thought. As a straight male, books that hype LGBTQ+ content often make me feel excluded, and, truthfully, uninterested. I wouldn't specifically buy/read a book that pushes a heterosexual focus, and I do not believe that LGBTQ+ literature will make a major mainstream breakthrough until the sexuality of the characters becomes a secondary matter, and stops being considered remarkable enough to be highlighted in advertising it. Please note that I am not advocating that it be hidden in the promotional materials/advertising;, but, neither do I think it needs to be the main selling point and featured in the PR. Sell me on the book. Interest me in the story. Hype the quality of the writing and the sexual orientation of one or more of the characters will not influence me one way or another, as that is not what I am interested in when I read. Tell me a good story focused on characters that I care about, or who interest me, and their sexuality will simply be one quality among many that make that character come alive for me. Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. Here's hoping that you are having a good week. PS - I have added this novel to my Goodreads wish list; not because it contains a gay relationship, but because you outlined an intriguing story in a genre I enjoy, and because you are passionate about the quality of the writing. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment & I can see your point of view. My problem with the way Faber promoted it was that they decided to actively avoid mentioning the fact that the protagonists Thomas and John were a couple. If the two main characters were a couple in love named Thomas and Anne they wouldn't refer to them as a "brother and sister" who lived through the Civil War. So why call Thomas and John "brothers in arms"? I'm not saying they need to have two shirtless men embracing on the cover of the novel, but why actively try to hide it? It seems to totally contradict a big part of the novel which is to write a same sex love story into history and Sebastian Barry doesn't do this in a showy way. There's a big battle, he describes the fighting and then he refers to Thomas and John discretely going off on their own to have sex. I think he does exactly what you describe of making their sexuality one quality amidst the many facets of their personalities. The novel is about many other things than the fact of their relationship and this is also what makes it so great. But there's another issue with this as well. Even though it should and has been promoted as a historical novel and one that they promoted to Barry's established readership, it would have been both financially beneficial for the publisher and beneficial for the gay community to know that the book also includes a gay love story. I wish I could share your hope for a future where the quality of writing is all that matters and not the issue of sexuality within it. But the issue of sexuality is something that exists within society (no matter how accepting society becomes) because LGBT people will always be a minority group who needs to see themselves reflected on some occassions in the books, films and tv of a largely heterosexual society. If a publisher hides that this is what the book is about we'll miss seeing ourselves there and it will only reinforce a sense of shame that sexuality is something which shouldn't be talked about. It would have been so great if Faber had reached out to gay reading groups or gay bookstores or other gay organizations and said "Here's an amazing historical novel which also happens to have a gay love story at its centre." I hope you don't think I'm ranting at you because I think you bring up great points. And I hope you enjoy the novel as much as I did. When you get a chance to read it do let me know what you think. Thank you!
I definitely concur that the love story should not have been basically hidden. I think though that many publishers have yet to find a happy median where they describe the qualities of gay fiction in the same non-emphatic way that straight stories are summarized; and publicized. When I see something publicized as "gay", or any LGBTQ+ type element, rather than focusing on the story (historical, mystery, contemporary, or whatever) that has those elements included, my mind often shifts from the possibility of an interesting piece of art, to concern that it is just another dubious harangue pushing a certain lifestyle. I think that this shortcoming in balance between LGBTQ+ and straight fiction basically harms authors, and ghettoizes their efforts from brought popular appeal. I think that publishers need to put more effort into their PR. There is no reason that they cannot follow the approach that I am suggesting and still make special efforts to reach gay readers as well through targeted markets. I rarely think much a characters sexuality unless it is intrinsic to the heart of the story, or it is pounded into my head via advertising and reviews, and I look forward to the day that it is just another element of a story that does not need to be spotlighted above everything else. Anyway, thanks for a thought provoking video, and for taking the time to respond to my comments. I sincerely appreciate both. Take care, and happy reading.
Three great books that come to mind are The Sunlight Pilgrims, Sergio Y and The Lauras (which is narrated from the POV of an adolescent who hasn't chosen a gender yet.) There's a recent novel called The Parcel by Anosh Irani as well, but this is a much darker novel.
I adored this book and had never considered that it might not be promoted as an LGBT+ book. One of the things I loved about it was how 'incidental' their relationship was to the plot, how 'normal' it seemed without ever being overlooked. I hope that one day, we will live in a world where LGBT+ literature doesn't need to be promoted as a different category because there will be acceptance and fair representation everywhere. But until then, I agree, this should have been marketed better.
Yes, that was a beautiful thing about the way Sebastian Barry wrote the novel. It's a tricky thing about categories like that - in an idealistic way there shouldn't be a need for them but in another way it's good to have them as a way to celebrate and help direct people to a subject they can connect with. Growing up I loved it when I found an LGBT section in a bookshop - it helped me to feel validated. But at the same time I can see why it could be equally difficult for a book to be labelled as LGBT and therefore "special interest" which might exclude a wider readership and Days Without End clearly deserves as wide a readership as possible. So I don't think this novel should be labelled just a gay book but the publishers shouldn't go out of their way to avoid saying it includes a gay love story.
Yes, yes, yes! I wholeheartedly agree. I can't stop recommending this book to people, everyone is getting sick of me. Also, I love that you mentioned Gay's The Word. Such a wonderful shop. Keep up the videos, they are always so thought provoking :)
Eric Karl Anderson thank you! I mean, it doesn't make that much sense when I'm talking about books and not writing but books have to be written... right? Haha :)
Straight man here. I hear what you’re sating but I’m not with you here. Publicists on the whole are very openly pro-gay. I think in this case the publicists are simply (rightly) interpreting this story as a war/western story. That the main characters are gay lovers is just sort of slipped in. What I’m saying is that this was not primarily a gay love story...& I think expecting faber to market it as such is a little self-interested.
You make excellent points, but to play the devil's advocate; if they marketed it more openly and actively promoted it towards a gay demographic, I'm sure there would be people making a video like this about the publisher pandering to a crowd and jumping on the LGBQT hypetrain for sales. I'm not gay and I haven't read this book yet, so maybe it's not my place to state this, but tbh I feel like NOT clearly stating it's about a gay relationship, but just having it there like it's a random/natural thing seems like the best way to normalize it. I've been seeing a lot of gay relationships in movies/tv shows etc. where, to me, it feels like they're trying way to hard to make that clear and make it a special thing. I wouldn't mind seeing more gay relationships in books/tv shows, where they just 'are there' and not a focal point of the story.
You say "it's wonderful that gay marriage is now legal in the UK an d Ireland"...and while this is mostly true, alas Northern Ireland remains the last bastion of bigotry. In England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland same-sex couples are free to marry, but it is still to be legalized in NI. This needs to change soon!
Thank You for caring, Eric. Nobody knows how it feels until it happened to them. You are really nice.
Thanks for getting in touch, Richard, and you should be receiving Days Without End soon! I hope you like it and if you get a chance let me know what you think once you've read it. :)
❤
I just saw this. Hope you're doing okay, Richard!
It was your first impulse, wasn't it, when you saw Richard's comment? To send him books? Gawd, I love this channel!
Well of course! I'd love to be a superhero librarian delivering books to those who need them around the world. :)
you are on your way ;)
Eric is my hero now! I love his heart..and Richard's too!
So agree with you on this. One of my favourite novels is As Meat Love Salt. This features a very passionate gay love story yet the current edition features a woman on the cover and the blurb only refers to "a forbidden love affair". Insults everyone.
Yes! Great example! As Meat Love Salt is an epic novel. It feels like some marketers at publishers don't take into account the intelligence of a reading audience. It feels so sad when great writing is sold as trashier or sensationalist.
"Brothers in arms" makes me think of my grandmother referring to her neighbors as each other's "special friend." Thanks for this rant and recommendations! Now I'm angry too. You are not overacting.
Thanks Becky!
Oh my goodness, I have to admit to feeling some fear and trepidation when I pressed play on your video as without doubt this is my most favourite book of the year so far. I thought it was going to be a video about why you hated it. Must have missed your review video last year.
Agree with everything you have to say Eric. Distinctly benign and muted promotion for what is such a powerfully visceral book. I'm sat here trying to recall anything I've read in the last few years which features a love story which is so utterly believable, natural and moving. For Barry to have set their relationship within a context of the violence and civil war of the time makes it an outstanding novel. He thoroughly deserved his Costa win... and yet I don't see it being talked about, either here on BookTube, or within my rl or online book clubs. A great shame. All I can hope is that it's a slow burner and given time it will get the recognition it deserves.
Yes, the content and the author are brilliant. Part of the reason I feel so incensed about the way the presentation of it is handled is that it is such a radical book yet they made it feel like just another historical novel. Other readers I've talked to say they were put off by the jacket and description on the back which is partly why it's been so little discussed on all the reading outlets you mention. It's such a shame, but hopefully as you say it will gain recognition in time.
When I first came across this book I read the blurb I immediately went "nah." I'm not into civil war stories, and since that's really all it said, I didn't see anything in the book for me. It wasn't until I saw Simon on Savidge Reads talking about it that I realized there was so much more to it. I love the idea of the gay love story, I love the potential discussion of family that will come with their relationship with the young girl they adopt. Simon also talked about the origin of the book, which made me want to read it even more - and which I think makes this marketing mess even more upsetting. I know that marketing books can be a very complex and challenging thing - figuring out the target audience(s), how the art and descriptions will appeal best to them and how to get it into the right hands so that buzz will start and grow. It's not an easy thing, and there are bound to be mistakes made every now and then. But I feel like this was a massive one. I suspect many readers like myself have been turned off by the blurb of this book and not had the benefit I did of being an avid BookTube/Book Blog follower who gets to hear much more beyond the blurb. It angers me that what should be the target audience might miss out on this book entirely because of it. I also think that, while I get not wanting to alienate existing readers of Barry's work, any reader of this book is going to find out what the book is about pretty quickly anyway. So anyone who is turned off by the LGBTQ+ content is still going to have a bad time with it and not go on to recommend it. And frankly, they don't deserve it. In addition to which the people who would love and recommend the book are not going to pick it up at all, which means that audience and the potential word of mouth we generate is largely lost as well. So I agree with you - there were some bad decisions made about marketing this book, and ones that seem to have had some questionable and upsetting reasoning behind them. I'm angry about it too, and resent that I nearly missed out on a book that is right down my street. Thanks for making this video - I think it's something that really deserves to be discussed, and hopefully the publishers will take some notes and learn from this mistake!
Thanks! I'm glad you agree. I suppose the good thing is that this book will stick around for a long time so gradually more and more people who will benefit from and appreciate it as a gay love story as they continue to discover it.
Very true. And I think since it has been in multiple awards lists that gets more people talking about it - and anyone (other than the publisher) who has read it talks about the LGBTQ+ aspect, so the more it is discussed, the more people get an accurate idea of what it is.
I actually had heard great things about this novel but I hesitated when I got the chance to pick up the book in a bookshop because I was confused and I was not sure it was the same novel! I read the blurb and I kept thinking : I'm pretty sure it's about a gay love story but why is this so vague?? In the end I bought it confiding in my memory and yes it was the right book but now that I know it was on purpose I am angry as well
I'm sure lots of people have had that confusion where any good review will discuss this aspect of the novel but then when someone goes to buy it they'll wonder if they've got the right one.
I know being able to read diverse books has helped me grow and learn to love myself for who I am. You are so incredibly well-spoken, I totally agree with you.
I was delightfully surprised by McNulty's relationship with Cole. I can understand why it would be a helpful selling point for anyone looking for a book about male lovers but, personally, I enjoyed the way it was unveiled in the story. Instead of hinging on McNulty being gay, the author reveals his sexual orientation casually, thereby emphasizing that it's perfectly natural.
Yes, I love how he does that in the story! It's a tricky thing because in a way that lovely surprise should be preserved for the reader to discover but, at the same time, I feel like so many readers who will love and benefit from this novel won't be aware of it if they don't know about this crucial central part of the book.
Even though I enjoyed the way McNulty's relationship with Cole was revealed, I understand where you're coming from, and I agree with you. Thankfully there are booktubers like you (and me) to discuss this important element of the book. I'll certainly be mentioning that aspect of the book in my forthcoming video review of the book.
I totally agree. As readers, if the publishers leave out a very key facet of a novel with their synopsis on the book, marketing etc, it makes it hard for us when we are looking for particular books to read, and it makes it hard, especially for people after 'own voices' books, like this one. And to be honest, yes, I am very interested in it now. Maybe for his next book, you should market it :)
Absolutely! The whole key to good marketing should be making people who are the perfect audience for a book aware that it exists - but they've missed out a huge section of that audience. And yes, I'm game if Faber would hire me, but I doubt they would after my criticism of their campaign. :)
If I were Faber I'd take this as constructive feedback - after all, getting books into the right hands (and hands that will pass it on) is the whole point!
I read this book early this year and loved it; I'm saddened to hear its not selling as well as it could. The mismanaged publishing hadn't occured to me, but now you mention it I see its so obvious!
I didn't really think about it either until I read this brief from Faber and realised how blatantly they'd left this aspect of the novel out of the whole campaign.
I completely agree with you. I recently picked up this book and was so pleasantly with the gorgeous exploration of gay love and gender identity, but also disappointed that those themes weren’t highlighted in the synopsis. It would have allowed a bigger and younger audience to such captivating novel.
I am very, very glad that the gay love story revealed itself in the story, not the marketing. It was a story from a long time ago. It all seemed very real. I loved the entire amazing story and all of the issues - the Irish famine, the coffin ships, starvation, the civil wars, the First Nations massacres, and in amongst it was a Love Story. One of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read. The fact that it was between two men was inconsequential. It wasn't a 'gay book', it was a novel. I found it to be fundamentally normalising and historical and began to consider historical love stories, homosexual or heterosexual more contextually. I'm glad it wasn't marketed as a LGBTQ book. I probably wouldn't have read it.
This video is so important, thank you. Especially the part near the end about putting gay stories back into history where they've been taken out - spot on
Awe, thank you!
Not over-reacting at all! The publisher has certainly done a disservice to the author, the reading public and to the story itself. Thank you for your video - I'm off to order myself a copy! :)
Yay! Let me know what you think of it when you get a chance to read it, Danielle. :)
It's terrible that publishers seek to put books in the closet in this way, probably because of fears of 'alienating' straight readers - not only did they omit to mention the gay relationship, but actively cloaking it and masking in the language you mention is reprehensible. We surely no longer need to pander to people who might be 'put off' by gay content?! I'd be interested to know if you've made your concerns known to Faber, and if you've had any response from them...?
It does seem a curiously reactionary strategy for marketing a book. I haven't personally sent them my thoughts about this and I've not had any response from them. It'd be brilliant if they brought out a new "loud and proud" edition for international LGBT+ pride day! :)
I just talked about this book as a relation to Booker Prize and I though reading the blurb at the end that this is a love triangle with this "young Indian girl" - as this is marketed for us to think so, "brothers in arms", a "young Indian girls" appears and complication happen - this sounds like a bloody love triangle and I was corrected that this young Indian girl is a child and those guys are in love with each other... THAT is absolutely bananas how this book is marketed. I agree with everything that you said, and I feel stupid I got fooled...
The description on the book is definitely confusing and cagey so it's totally understandable that you were unsure what the real story is about. It's bizarre that the publisher purposely obscured the real story. I've heard from lots of people that they were put off because it sounds from the description like a standard historical novel when really it's quite revolutionary I think.
I'm very intrigued now. PS we do share the same life story re growing up in a rural area and craving for something you can relate too , I mean like many of us did...
That's good to know Kamil. It takes a lot of strength of character to believe in yourself and find people and things you can relate to outside of your own circumscribed place of birth. I think you'll find a lot to connect with in Sebastian Barry's novel and I look forward to hearing your thoughts about it.
I just finished reading a book called Faber and Faber, published this year 2019, and the content completely taken from the historical letters of the original Fabers. As I remember the book it was a family member who was proud of what his family had built and accomplished. All I can say is OMG this is so far from what the original group of publishers intended to be placed into readership that I was shocked. They even used to send monthly checks to authors who were having trouble eating and paying bills and writing. The people they supported both financially and emotionally were among some of best and brightest. I only wish that you had been able to take a copy of this new book and ask...what is going on here !! Well done, Eric ! Lee K.
I appreciate your sweet spirit. I'm sorry this book wasn't handled in a more advantageous way for people who need books like this one! I think you're so kind, and I love how graciously you shared how you feel. Oh how I wish we would all not only accept but love each other!!! We all struggle with something...why do we make it harder for each other. 😰 people can be so mean...and it's just wrong.
I had never heard of this book. I will be picking it up. Thanks for your passion.
I skipped this book because "brothers at arms" just seemed like it was going to be a Civil War buddy novel and I'm already iffy on reading dudebro buddy stories and anything set during the Civil War. I'm definitely going to check it out now though.
Yes! I hope you like it.
I just made a video like this about The Seven Husbands Evelyn Hugo and someone commented talking about this book so I looked it up and saw your face and instantly clicked! I agree with you 100%, I would NEVER have thought to pick up this book if I heard of it (which I haven't until now) because with the marketing alone makes it sound very hetero. But because of you, I just ordered a copy! Thank you for sharing your perspective back in 2016!
Ah haha! It’s so fun getting a comment on such an old video. I’d seen you posted a video about Evelyn Hugo but not watched it yet because I’ve not read the book yet - it is one I’ve been really wanting to get to though and if it’s received a similar washing over of the real issues it’s about than I’m even more up for it. Thanks and hope you enjoy Sebastian Barry’s novel when you get time to read it. ❤️
Eric, thank you for this! Very glad you decided to speak out. It's not always an easy thing to do. I am itching to read it and am heading to my local library later today to pick it up. For quite a while, I've been aware of the dearth of historical fiction with gay characters, relationships, or themes. It's a shame the publisher doesn't seem to have any cojones.
Thanks! I hope the library has a copy and let me know what you think if you get a chance to read it. :)
Sadly the "brothers in arms" has been transferred into the synopsis of the translated books by Querido (Dutch) and Bertrand (Portugese) aswell.
Oh that's interesting and a great shame - I thought international publishers might take a different route but I guess quite often they lead off from the marketing style of whatever country it was published in first.
You are not being overly sensitive. The publisher's trepidation about being clear about the love story is only a symptom of a larger problem. By doing what they've done, they're perpetuating larger injustices against the LGBTQ community. And yes, with the vague description on the jacket, I would assume the book is about war and avoid it. If I had read a more accurate description, I would be much more likely to read it. They've not only done a disservice to the author and the gay community, but to themselves, as well. People who want to read a gay love story won't be able to find it and people who want a brotherly war story will be disappointed. If they have such a problem with it, why did they publish it in the first place? Good for you, Eric, for speaking out!
Very well put! Thank you, Amy.
I absolutely agree and salute you for calling Faber out on it. I've been so puzzled by the marketing around Days Without End! I had no idea of the LGBT themes of the book until I started to read blog reviews and then when I read the blurb on the back I was puzzled. It made it sound as though the gay love story was going to be covert or unrequited, when in fact Barry is so straightforward about the whole thing. I think it shows a serious lack of nerve and is totally out of step with the times; it's offensive to Barry's loyal readership too. It makes me wonder if Faber would have even published the book if it wasn't by an established author?
Yes, good point, it is doing a real disservice to Barry's fans to not let them know what the book is really about too. And that's a good question - although they publish some quite daring fiction - maybe they wouldn't have taken this on if it wasn't for Barry being such an established author.
I had absolutely no intention of reading this book because it seemed to me like any other war story which I am not really into. I HAD NO IDEA OF THE TRUE CONTENT, for all I have heard about the book. (And now I am quite eager to check it out!)
I do not think you are overreacting at all, because it was very deliberate and very old fashioned AND disrespectful. It is really a shame that they felt the need to do this. Hopefully, more people will know and it will be read more. Thank you so much for this video!
Thank you! I'm glad you think so too.
No, I don't think you're overreacting or being too sensitive at all. I really applaud you for taking a stand on this. I read about Days Without End in The Guardian but I'm really looking forward to it now.
Thanks! Alex Clark wrote a great review of it in the Guardian and she was a judge alongside me at the British Book Award. It was interesting talking about it with her. I hope you get a chance to read it and if you do let me know what you think. :)
Nothing bigger and more important than to have good core values. You're a gem. I wonder how the author himself feels about his publisher's rather bold way of a "subtle" cover up.
Thanks! I'd really like to ask him how he feels about it.
So glad how you addressed this, great job! The world is still cruel in many ways!
Thank you!
Eric, thank you for making this video. You are not overreacting at all - things like that should be pointed out and publishers should be called out. The publisher is assuming too much by thinking the book will alienate straight people. As a straight person myself I bought this book because it is a gay love story, because I want to read something different from my experience. And I can only imagine how important it is to someone who can see their own experience reflected in this book or books like it. Thank you for speaking out.
Thanks so much, Kay!
I've bought Days Without End online along with The Underground Railroad and Swing Time. Looking forward to reading them.
They are all three brilliant books! Let me know what you think of them, Fay! :)
Eric Karl Anderson. Thanks Eric when I receive them in the post and read them I will let you know.
I'm really glad to see you calling this out, Eric, and so eloquently. It's really disappointing to hear. Do you think it also speaks to the lack of diversity in publishing overall? I thought you might address that too. I get the impression that the publisher chose to side-step not only due to reservations about Barry's existing readership, but also in fear of it being embraced or even challenged by a gay readership.
I think it's definitely an indication of how conservative publishers are generally - although Faber do seem generally willing to take on diverse authors like Nadeem Aslam & Petina Gappah as I mentioned, but they seem nervous about celebrating this diversity. I can't imagine a gay readership challenging this portrayal of a gay couple - even though it was written by a straight author, but maybe they were nervous this would be the case and it might cause controversy. Who knows?
Great video, Eric. I had no interest in reading this prior to watching your video (despite having enjoyed some of Barry's previous books) and now I'm really keen to read it. So pleased you've spoken about this.
Thanks Naomi! :)
Thanks for this video! When I heard that Barry dedicated it to his gay son, I was expecting something a little different, but it the end I felt it was perfectly balanced and unselfconscious about presenting all of its subjects. It really is such a shame that this book hasn't been selling as it is one of the best books I've read this year, and your observations about marketing are spot on-almost as if they were worried about some early 20th century obscenity charge if they said too much!. This is also on the shortlist for the Walter Scott Prize, which will be announced in June, although the profile of that prize is minuscule (at least here in the U.S.) compared to the Costa. Anyway, I think it deserves a wider readership and maybe this video will help that happen. Barry was a new author for me, so after reading Days Without End I promptly purchased two more novels.
Thank you for the thoughtful response. It was the first book I've read by him as well and now I'm keen to read his previous books also - especially because many have a family connection to the protagonist of Days Without End. This book should really be a jumping off point for readers to discover more of Barry's writing but it really is as if the publishers were hoping to just hide it as an anomaly in the author's oeuvre.
You're quite welcome. My mom has just picked it up Days Without End, and I'm betting she'll ask me if I have any more of Barry's books when she's done.
Shocked to hear that this sold worse than recent Costa winners. Having had the misfortune to buy Pure, which was rubbish compared to Days Without End, a great injustice has been allowed to develop.
From that comment you read I have to agree with you. What a shame! And you have the right to be angry.
Thank you! I'm glad you agree! :)
I came across this and watched it with interest because I have just brought this after hearing Simon at savidgereads raving about it. But, when I read the blurb on the back in the shop I questioned if it was the right book because it didn’t seem to be referring to the story I was expecting. It certainly seems like tactical marketing.
Not over reacting at all. Good on you for calling it out.
Thank you!
Beautifully said with passion, intelligence and heart. It can't be wrong to express this. I'm ordering now. Thank you.
Thanks Kate! I'd love to know what you think once you get to read it.
Ah had a faber and faber editor come in to my creative writing class the other week. Wish I'd seen your video then I could'be confronted him about this!!!!! Great video.
Thanks! It would have been interesting to hear his thoughts about it!
Did you notice on John Boyne's novel The Hearts invisible furies there is no mention of the main characters sexuality on the back? Marketing I guess?!
Thanks, Eric. I'm in complete agreement with you about the disappointing and almost misleading promotion of this fine novel. Good for you for making the effort to so eloquently speak up about it.
Thank you
I've constantly been put off from reading this book because every time I pick it up, it just looks like a book about the american civil war which I have very little interest in. Even though I knew it had the gay relationship in from its reviews, when I went to buy the book it still gave the impression that it would primarily be about the war. Now that I know the main focus is the relationship between the two men, I'll almost certainly buy it next time because that's the sort of novel I'm interested in! The way it was presented and marketed definitely prevented me from buying it, which I expect is the opposite of what they planned! I think you definitely have a right to be angry, but I also think that the publishers have sold themselves short in marketing the book in this way and missed out on a whole other readership. I've just discovered your channel but love what I've seen so far; I love that you're so passionate about books and can't wait to see your future videos!
You would think in 2017, that you could promote a book as a gay romance set in the Civil War and no one would bat and eye. It actually sounds like a book that would appeal to me on many different levels. When you think of writers in the 50's and 60's writing about queer themes like Gore Vidal, James Baldwin, Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, that took so much courage. The New York Times book reviews were known to be homophobic. Publishers should be upfront these days when publishing queer themed books.
Yes absolutely!
To be honest the way they promoted confused me a bit. The first time i read about the novel was in an article and it was clear that it has a gay love story in it, but when i read how they promoted the book i thought i was wrong the first time.
So it wasn't after the booker nomination that it was clear the subject of the novel.
Maybe it's because Barry is an already established author and this novel is different from his previous ones.
Curiously i read about the difficult it was to publish Ross Raisin's A natural, but in that case the fact that the main character is gay was only a minor hurdle, it was the football what was supposed a burden., Publishers thought such theme won't be interesting for female readers and well, in most countries if you can't attract female readers you have a big problem
Do you know Samuel R. Delany? 10 yrs ago, in 2012, he released a novel called "Through The Valley of The Nest of Spiders." The novel's premise arose from a challenge he heard once (I think on a bus?) that a really challenging novel would be one depicting a successful & longterm interracial relationship. So the novel is about two young men, one black & one white, who meet in 2003 & then the novel follows them as they grow old together, several decades into the future. But although some sci-fi elements come through, they are just background context for the romance.
Why am I telling you this. Well, the 1st edition had several errors. So many, that for a time you had to print an "errata" document & read that along with the novel (it is almost 900 pgs long). Recently, I wanted to buy a copy of the novel. The 1st printing is outrageously expensive; however, there's a newer printing Delany self-published. The thing is, it's through amazon. I work for a little independent rare & new books shop: I cannot in good conscience order books off amazon. So? I actually wrote Delany & asked him. Saying I wanted to support the novel, but also wanted to know why he chose to self-publish it through them...
And his reply? was no one would publish it. He spent years trying & no one would pick it up. Even the 1st publisher basically botched the 1st edition, right? At the same time, it was too costly to self-publish a novel nearly 900 pgs long any other way. So, amazon it was.
I just think that speaks volumes & volumes about the publishing industry, gay media marketing, etc. :/
I’m very aware of Delany and always meant to read his books but haven’t done so yet. That’s really interesting to know that history and how these titles get squeezed out of mainstream publishing. Thanks so much for your comment.
@@EricKarlAnderson Of course! thanks for your channel. Also: "Babel-17" can be a good starting place with Delany, for some people (esp. those who love the film "Arrival" & would be curious of a similar story, except with a poet-pirate woman who is also bi, Asian, and telepathic) ....but my all-time favorite *for sure* is "Stars In My Pocket Like Grains of Sand." The queerest novel I've ever read: and that goes for what it does to language, too. Don't be scared off by the genre label. It's incredible literature.
Such a shame that publishers seem to have a lack of faith in the genre as I do think there is a readership out there.
I remember a couple years ago I was looking for LGBT fiction to read. All I could find, after a lot of searching, was Geography Club ( a charming wee book and not a dire set of abs on the cover for a change). I'm sure there is a lot of good LGBT fiction out there but it does seem to be hidden away.
I'll need to give this a wee read.
Do have a look at The Green Carnation Prize. It's an excellent award that highlights some of the best new LGBT books from that year.
I'm not gay, but I write novels as a hobby of mine, and I'm always on the look out for books that deal with or have diverse characters. LBGT character are a particularly interest for mine, especially with everything going on in the world with equal rights for everyone, so I'm always on the look out for a good book that deals with characters like this. And I think that you're right, trying to hide away the fact that the book is centered on two men's love during war is a bad idea. I haven't read this book yet, but I'm going to, since you recommend it. But I think the publishers should market it positively as a LBGT book, regardless of any backlash they may think might come there way from the general public.
Thank you and I'm glad you agree. I hope you enjoy it!
Calling this out is important, not over-reacting. It's a big deal and it was awful of them to do this. I share your anger to be honest
Thank you!
Shame on you Faber!! Thank you Eric for standing up for what you believe in. It WAS cowardly and if I hadn't chatted to you at the Headline party about this wonderful book I may have missed the fact that it celebrates gay love as it certainly isn't marketed as that!
Thanks Elizabeth!
Just seeing this review. It sounds like to me that the publisher should be paying you to do what they refused to do - properly present the book!!! I agree that leaving out the main crux of what the book entails is cowardly. I have never read a historical fiction (my jam) with homosexual couples in it, but I'd love to. Many books with homosexual themes seem to be tragic with someone dying, id love to read a story of triumph and love with adoption included!!! I'll definitely put this on my TBR! Great job and you're right - the publishers were really trying to hush up the relationship & the author should've spoke up to change that. After all, if you're dedicating it to your son who had experienced the pain of homophobia, why would you allow your publisher to hide what you are trying to show the world --- the beauty of love in all forms ???? And so in that respect, the author holds partial blame, in my opinion..... I wouldve insisted a clearer representation of my story.
Hey, my great-aunt had a same sex living partner :) Sister in arms? I'm so very sad that publishers feel as though they have to cover up the fact that there is homosexual content in books to make it salable. It's just disappointing and angering. I initially watched this video because I expected a rant about the book. Instead, I've found a book I want to read and I'm so glad you did this.
Oooooh, A Place Called Winter - my Mom was reading this because Winter is only a few miles from where I grew up in Saskatchewan. I'm not sure what she thought of it as she tends to be extremely conservative.
Is salable (sale-able) even a real word?
Yay! Thanks!
Wow I didn't know any of this regarding how it was being published. I did think that the cover didn't reflect the content very well, but I didn't actually consider what was behind how it was marketed itself. I loved the power, and now this has given me a bit of a bitter after taste :-s
I really felt like they did the novel a disservice in the way they presented and marketed it, but of course that doesn't detract from the brilliance of the content.
weird how the more rich/complex a novel is, the more weak/floundering the flap copy
That is often a strange irony of publishing!
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am ordering this book now!
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it, Susan.
I think they were just trying to sell this book to how many people they could, even those who had they known what the book is really about wouldn't have bought it...
Probably but I think that was a foolish marketing plan
Totally! Not only did they not satisfy the target public but also did they (probably) upset those who were not... I mean, why deceive people, be honest bout what you're selling
Even though... let's be honest, were it 50 or 60 years ago... but today the rainbow totally gives it away...
I wasn’t interested in it before seeing your video but will certainly be looking for it now.
Great! I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you for putting this in so many words, Eric. Faber should take a leaf out of this video and be bold next time around. Really looking forward to reading this novel.
Thanks Joseph!
Well said! This makes me angry as well. I do plan on putting this book on my TBR list now. It sounds beautiful!
Thanks and that's great to hear. If you get a chance to read it I hope you'll let me know what you think.
I am disappointed that this was even considered a good publishing strategy. You don't really see this among the YA crowd, for example, with some books (at least here) proudly announcing gay relationships in blurbs almost like a badge of honor. So it's not like the publishing world has any real excuse. These books don't alienate readerships. At least not as far as I know. So there is a known audience, in a highly popular genre with a readership with a vast age range no less. Why not take that chance with this book! I don't get it. Also brb, ordering this on bookdepository cause it sounds very interesting.
It is really really odd. I hope you enjoy it. The actual story is so fantastic!
It is mainstream to have a front window book display of two gay male soldier’s intimately positioned, in a story that takes place during the USA Civil War. It definitely would attract attention, and sales!
So it was you! hahaha I was in Italy for my vacations and prior to catch a train there I bought a book, I was between this novel and Ali Smith's Autumn. I ended up getting Autumn, but was trying to remember where I had heard of Days Without End, and if the review as good or not.
I get what you mean, I had on the back of my mind that It was a LGBT book but reading that description on the back I decided to put it aside :(
Yes yes yes yes yes yes xxxxxx
💪🏻💁🏻♂️😘xx
I love Judy Holiday at the start of your videos. Are you a fan of her movies? I love old movies. It was a shame she passed so young. Love your channel.
I'm a big Holliday fan! I think Born Yesterday is really her best and its theme of discovering a love of reading fits with booktube which is why I use the clip. But her movies Bells Are Ringing, The Solid Gold Cadillac & It Should Happen to You are great too. I'm lucky that I live not too far from the BFI Southbank in London that shows so many wonderful old movies on the big screen. What are some of your favourite old movies?
I want to ask how Native Americans are portrayed in this novel?
Good question! It's an interesting trajectory from his initial encounters with them early in the novel to later in the novel.
damesbooknook i actually found that Barry relied on the white savior trope that reeked of paternalism. There was this really progressive retelling of love on the frontier that couldn't help having the two main white protagonists rescue the native orphan. I think if this book had been written by an American or Canadian this element wouldn't have gotten a free pass, which it appears to have in the UK
Mmmmmm, that's also a bit problematic when you think about how many Native children were stolen from their parents...
Hi Loved your review! I was given A Long long way by my book club but wished we were given Days without End. I agree with your comments.. and will get my copy!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I still need to read more of Barry's books.
Hi, I actually did recommend A Place called Winter as my book club contribution and was really surprised and a little disgusted at the homophobic response I received..it has not stopped me " being the only gay in the village" !!! but you live and learn.
Agree with everything you said and thought the book was incredibly good.
This was such a fantastic video, and important, too!
Thanks Britta! I'm glad you think so. I kept going back and forth about whether I should make it or not but I'm glad I did. :)
finally read this and I think that what's most worrying is the fact that the novel never challenges the notion of family as "the" social cell, even if that family is a sort of United-colors-of-benetton kind of family, such as the one that the trio forms. John is "handsome" and mysterious (those are the reasons for Thomas infatuation--no profundity there) and Thomas refers to Winona as her daughter. At some point John buys her the book "The American Lady's... duty, love and marriage". So my concerns are more on the side of this novel not questioning or resisting this solidified notion of the stereotypical family with fixed roles!
That's interesting. I hadn't thought of the story from that point of view. I think it felt like that was the right situation for the characters involved - their ideal of creating a cookie-cutter nuclear family wasn't a radical notion; the difference was just that they were two men who wanted to live like man and wife. I don't think it would have suited their personalities to have formed a commune-style family outside of traditional gender roles. But maybe this is cutting the author too much slack. I'll keep mulling this over. Thanks!
your right.this is maddening.
I have no idea how one can read this novel and think "It's about a gay relationship". It certainly involves a gay relationship - but it hardly is the theme that drives that novel.
well said Eric.
Thanks Heather! Wasn't sure if I should say something or not but figured I should go for it. :)
Fantastic video - you're absolutely right.
Thank you: I can't agree more!
Another thing that drives me crazy is having to scour through bookshops/video shops that don't have a gay section because they're too embarrassed or Christian to write Gay or LGBT. It's 2018 for goodness sakes!
PS, today I bought Patrick Gale's "A place called Winter" (in the middle of the straight bookshelf, of course).
Some day this will be overreacting; sadly, it's not yet that day.
One day hopefully!
I see your point, but I have to put forward a counter thought.
As a straight male, books that hype LGBTQ+ content often make me feel excluded, and, truthfully, uninterested.
I wouldn't specifically buy/read a book that pushes a heterosexual focus, and I do not believe that LGBTQ+ literature will make a major mainstream breakthrough until the sexuality of the characters becomes a secondary matter, and stops being considered remarkable enough to be highlighted in advertising it.
Please note that I am not advocating that it be hidden in the promotional materials/advertising;, but, neither do I think it needs to be the main selling point and featured in the PR.
Sell me on the book. Interest me in the story. Hype the quality of the writing and the sexual orientation of one or more of the characters will not influence me one way or another, as that is not what I am interested in when I read.
Tell me a good story focused on characters that I care about, or who interest me, and their sexuality will simply be one quality among many that make that character come alive for me.
Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. Here's hoping that you are having a good week.
PS - I have added this novel to my Goodreads wish list; not because it contains a gay relationship, but because you outlined an intriguing story in a genre I enjoy, and because you are passionate about the quality of the writing. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment & I can see your point of view. My problem with the way Faber promoted it was that they decided to actively avoid mentioning the fact that the protagonists Thomas and John were a couple. If the two main characters were a couple in love named Thomas and Anne they wouldn't refer to them as a "brother and sister" who lived through the Civil War. So why call Thomas and John "brothers in arms"? I'm not saying they need to have two shirtless men embracing on the cover of the novel, but why actively try to hide it? It seems to totally contradict a big part of the novel which is to write a same sex love story into history and Sebastian Barry doesn't do this in a showy way. There's a big battle, he describes the fighting and then he refers to Thomas and John discretely going off on their own to have sex. I think he does exactly what you describe of making their sexuality one quality amidst the many facets of their personalities. The novel is about many other things than the fact of their relationship and this is also what makes it so great.
But there's another issue with this as well. Even though it should and has been promoted as a historical novel and one that they promoted to Barry's established readership, it would have been both financially beneficial for the publisher and beneficial for the gay community to know that the book also includes a gay love story. I wish I could share your hope for a future where the quality of writing is all that matters and not the issue of sexuality within it. But the issue of sexuality is something that exists within society (no matter how accepting society becomes) because LGBT people will always be a minority group who needs to see themselves reflected on some occassions in the books, films and tv of a largely heterosexual society. If a publisher hides that this is what the book is about we'll miss seeing ourselves there and it will only reinforce a sense of shame that sexuality is something which shouldn't be talked about. It would have been so great if Faber had reached out to gay reading groups or gay bookstores or other gay organizations and said "Here's an amazing historical novel which also happens to have a gay love story at its centre."
I hope you don't think I'm ranting at you because I think you bring up great points. And I hope you enjoy the novel as much as I did. When you get a chance to read it do let me know what you think. Thank you!
I definitely concur that the love story should not have been basically hidden.
I think though that many publishers have yet to find a happy median where they describe the qualities of gay fiction in the same non-emphatic way that straight stories are summarized; and publicized.
When I see something publicized as "gay", or any LGBTQ+ type element, rather than focusing on the story (historical, mystery, contemporary, or whatever) that has those elements included, my mind often shifts from the possibility of an interesting piece of art, to concern that it is just another dubious harangue pushing a certain lifestyle.
I think that this shortcoming in balance between LGBTQ+ and straight fiction basically harms authors, and ghettoizes their efforts from brought popular appeal.
I think that publishers need to put more effort into their PR.
There is no reason that they cannot follow the approach that I am suggesting and still make special efforts to reach gay readers as well through targeted markets.
I rarely think much a characters sexuality unless it is intrinsic to the heart of the story, or it is pounded into my head via advertising and reviews, and I look forward to the day that it is just another element of a story that does not need to be spotlighted above everything else.
Anyway, thanks for a thought provoking video, and for taking the time to respond to my comments. I sincerely appreciate both.
Take care, and happy reading.
Thank you for this! My son is LGBTQ+ and I am off to buy Barry's book!
That's wonderful to hear!
I would be very interested in your thoughts on some really good books that feature transgender individuals.
Also, the cover I have doesn't even have the rainbow!
Three great books that come to mind are The Sunlight Pilgrims, Sergio Y and The Lauras (which is narrated from the POV of an adolescent who hasn't chosen a gender yet.) There's a recent novel called The Parcel by Anosh Irani as well, but this is a much darker novel.
Thanks so much! I want to read about characters who reflect my son's life experiences.
I adored this book and had never considered that it might not be promoted as an LGBT+ book. One of the things I loved about it was how 'incidental' their relationship was to the plot, how 'normal' it seemed without ever being overlooked. I hope that one day, we will live in a world where LGBT+ literature doesn't need to be promoted as a different category because there will be acceptance and fair representation everywhere. But until then, I agree, this should have been marketed better.
Yes, that was a beautiful thing about the way Sebastian Barry wrote the novel. It's a tricky thing about categories like that - in an idealistic way there shouldn't be a need for them but in another way it's good to have them as a way to celebrate and help direct people to a subject they can connect with. Growing up I loved it when I found an LGBT section in a bookshop - it helped me to feel validated. But at the same time I can see why it could be equally difficult for a book to be labelled as LGBT and therefore "special interest" which might exclude a wider readership and Days Without End clearly deserves as wide a readership as possible. So I don't think this novel should be labelled just a gay book but the publishers shouldn't go out of their way to avoid saying it includes a gay love story.
Yes, yes, yes! I wholeheartedly agree. I can't stop recommending this book to people, everyone is getting sick of me.
Also, I love that you mentioned Gay's The Word. Such a wonderful shop.
Keep up the videos, they are always so thought provoking :)
Thank you! I have so much love for Gay's The Word and the wonderful people who run it.
Also, you have the BEST handle! "Am I Write?" is brilliant.
Eric Karl Anderson thank you! I mean, it doesn't make that much sense when I'm talking about books and not writing but books have to be written... right? Haha :)
True, but still good! :)
Well said
Straight man here. I hear what you’re sating but I’m not with you here. Publicists on the whole are very openly pro-gay. I think in this case the publicists are simply (rightly) interpreting this story as a war/western story. That the main characters are gay lovers is just sort of slipped in. What I’m saying is that this was not primarily a gay love story...& I think expecting faber to market it as such is a little self-interested.
You make excellent points, but to play the devil's advocate; if they marketed it more openly and actively promoted it towards a gay demographic, I'm sure there would be people making a video like this about the publisher pandering to a crowd and jumping on the LGBQT hypetrain for sales. I'm not gay and I haven't read this book yet, so maybe it's not my place to state this, but tbh I feel like NOT clearly stating it's about a gay relationship, but just having it there like it's a random/natural thing seems like the best way to normalize it. I've been seeing a lot of gay relationships in movies/tv shows etc. where, to me, it feels like they're trying way to hard to make that clear and make it a special thing. I wouldn't mind seeing more gay relationships in books/tv shows, where they just 'are there' and not a focal point of the story.
thank you for this
You say "it's wonderful that gay marriage is now legal in the UK an d Ireland"...and while this is mostly true, alas Northern Ireland remains the last bastion of bigotry. In England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland same-sex couples are free to marry, but it is still to be legalized in NI. This needs to change soon!