I agree with what's already been said - and want to add: I think the author's outlook must contribute to whether I will or won't like a book, but what I mean by outlook is usually far more subtle than "this person has religious/political label X".
For example, I like stories which contain the possibility of redemption and healing, even if there are dark themes on the way. This preference is probably accentuated by me being a Christian, but predates it, and the best example of such a author that springs to mind is Kahled Hosseini, who is afaik a Muslim. This hopefull v. nihilistic divide is the biggest one in fiction for me.
Political views I don't share I can easily live with if the writing is excellent and the author has a sense of humor. I'm not a feminist these days, but I will still swoop on a Sheri S Tepper - her imagination is brilliant enough that I can gloss over any wimmins preachiness quite easily.
It's a bit more difficult for me to enjoy work that has a very explicit anti-religious, or anti-Christian agenda, and what will get my goat is not lack of respect for God, but lack of respect for humans - a belief that the religious are all stupid and/or abusive. Terry Pratchett is a good example of an athiest author I can enjoy because he's as affectionate towards all his characters even when he's poking fun at neopaganism (Magrat) or Christianity (Mightily Oats). Whereas I've never bothered to even pick up Philip Pullman, because I suspect they would wind me up.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-07-31 04:48 pm (UTC)For example, I like stories which contain the possibility of redemption and healing, even if there are dark themes on the way. This preference is probably accentuated by me being a Christian, but predates it, and the best example of such a author that springs to mind is Kahled Hosseini, who is afaik a Muslim. This hopefull v. nihilistic divide is the biggest one in fiction for me.
Political views I don't share I can easily live with if the writing is excellent and the author has a sense of humor. I'm not a feminist these days, but I will still swoop on a Sheri S Tepper - her imagination is brilliant enough that I can gloss over any wimmins preachiness quite easily.
It's a bit more difficult for me to enjoy work that has a very explicit anti-religious, or anti-Christian agenda, and what will get my goat is not lack of respect for God, but lack of respect for humans - a belief that the religious are all stupid and/or abusive. Terry Pratchett is a good example of an athiest author I can enjoy because he's as affectionate towards all his characters even when he's poking fun at neopaganism (Magrat) or Christianity (Mightily Oats). Whereas I've never bothered to even pick up Philip Pullman, because I suspect they would wind me up.