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DO READERS NEED to be told what is good fiction and what is not? Consider a world where JK Rowling could call herself Joanne Rowling, author of Harry Potter, or her book The Casual Vacancy could have been critically analysed without referencing what she had written before? Did those who wrote harsh criticism of her adult novel get smug satisfaction for pulling the hugely successful author down?
Either way her book was always going to be a number one bestseller for curiosity value if nothing else. Last week, the UK’s Sunday Times revealed the infamous author had written a book under a different name, a man’s, no less. So, is it a master stroke and marketing dream writing a crime novel under the pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, and what exactly has she highlighted?
Writing under a man’s name has liberated her. I wonder is it the fact that the book only sold 1,500 copies that pushed for the lid to be lifted.
Ms Rowling may feel a certain sense of approval that her work achieved merit under a different pen name but she has nothing to prove to herself or anyone. Despite the huge marketing machine that made her Harry Potter novels massive success, she gave hours of pleasure to millions of readers no matter what the critics thought. That is the true merit of being a good writer.
But I ask the reading public to consider the real Robert Galbraith, because he is out there and so is Joanne Rowling. Consider their plights for a moment before you decide to purchase your next read. JK is going to cash in hugely now as her coup has created enough excitement and nobody is going to criticise a work that has already been given the critics seal of approval because surely that would be admitting that the Emperor’s New Clothes were really his birthday suit.
It is sad that she had to use a man’s name to achieve critical acclaim in this new genre but this is not a feminist issue as there are plenty of successful men writing women’s fiction under female pen names. What it does say is that readers and critics can pigeon-hole authors depending on their names and herein lies the problem.
Prejudice exists and petty snobbery and standards are rife in all forms of the arts – especially literature. For anyone who doubts this perhaps consider the experiment carried out by The Washington Post in 2007. One of the world’s most acclaimed violinists, Joshua Bell, played in a subway station at rush hour on his $3,500,000 violin.
The pieces he played were by Bach and he had played them two nights previously to a packed theatre where seats were $100 a piece. However taken out of context few noticed him play in the subway. Even fewer stopped to throw him a coin. In fact it was only the children who had no pre-conceived opinions on good or bad music that seemed to be interested in what he was performing. One little child who stopped was the most anxious to listen but was pulled along – no doubt he is of similar spirit to the little boy who laughed at the Emperor’s New Clothes.
(YouTube/WashingtonPost)
The experiment carried out by JK begs two major questions. Do we need to be told what is quality art or literature as we get older? And how does the real Robert Galbraith feel? After spilling his heart into a novel, crafting it for hours, finally getting a publisher to take it and after getting that publisher to market it as hard as possible and putting it in the hands of top reviewers – is he meant to be delighted to sell 1,500 copies?
In this day and age he would not work back his advance which was probably somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000 – if he was lucky. Not exactly a fortune for a year or more work. So spare a thought for the real Robert Galbraiths out there that don’t have a trump card like JK and be true to your own taste – not what you are told is good art.
Michelle Jackson is the author of five bestselling novels and co-author of What Women Know – a book of wisdom for women. She is a teacher, travel-writer and panellist on TV3 Midday. For more information see www.michellejackson.ie . Her new novel is 5 Peppermint Grove and available in all good bookshops now published by Poolbeg press €9.99.
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Ah no. Gone way too soon. RIP Shane
Sorry we can’t play Fairytale of New York this year as it’s too offensive.
Anyway here’s Cardi B rapping about her fanny
@King Funk: It’ll be played this year like every year. You’re a fo ol.
@King Funk: Who can’t play FONY? Are those snowflakes living rent free in your head man?
@Tom Dillon: The original version or the woke version ?
@King Funk: Talking rubbish, they literally played it on Radio Nova about 10 minutes ago. Yes it was not the ‘new’ version either.
Maybe dont just listen to RTE FM
@Hurrly 90:
98fm played the edited version this morning, I was disappointed not to hear the original lyrics.
@King Funk: lol karen’s.
@King Funk: you robbed that.
@Setanta O’Toole: quick, call the guards
@King Funk: They’re busy singing Galway Bay
@King Funk: imagine playing politics with a man’s death, what you say may be true however there is a time and place for it and it’s not now
Can someone please explain to me what’s even offensive about the lyrics. I’m genuinely curious to know if anyone really finds any of the lyrics offensive and why
@King Funk: God, but I have grown to really hate that song. Over played and guaranteed to be badly sung at every Christmas party karaoke in the country. Not a patchvon Rainy Night In Soho.
@Sean: I did some googling.. turns out, apparently, people are offended! By a bundle of sticks, no less
https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/08/no-need-to-take-offence-to-the-word-f….t
@Sean: apparently the journal filter takes offence too.. I’m still calling my children that if they refuse to pull their weight
@Sean Walsh: ‘woke version’. You’re a tool.
@Sean Walsh: The song is rubbish because they don’t play the word f@gg0t. I don’t listen to 80s rap because I miss the N word. Dipstck.
@Tom Dillon: it’s use in rap increased exponentially after the 80′s to be fair.
RIP. Christmas number 1 incoming.
@Ciaran O Donoghue: snowflakes won’t let that happen. Pity. He was fantastic. May he rest in peace.
@Fiona Ryan: Give it a rest Fiona.
@Fiona Ryan: only snowflake around here is you
@Anthony Curran: she’s right though to be fair. Same people saying how sad his death is will be the same ones saying his lyrics are offensive.
@Fiona Ryan: Snowflakes? Is that a new Christmas song?
@Andrew Lavelle: it’s almost like the two opinions are possible to hold at the same time. The only people that mention his ‘offensive’ lyrics are the ones that give out about people giving out about them. They far outnumber the mythical ‘snowflakes’ that live rent free in their heads.
@Setanta O’Toole: literally makes no sense. They’d hardly be giving out if someone didn’t cry about the lyrics in the first place.
@Setanta O’Toole: Just this. Personally, the only mention I’ve heard of offensive lyrics with regard to the Pogues music comes from people complaining about ‘woke’ people being offended by the offensive lyrics. Really odd.
@Andrew Lavelle: literally a handful of people on twitter that nobody takes seriously in the first place. The easily riled up then act like thousands are marching in the street over it.
@Setanta O’Toole: nobody takes seriously? When is the last time the original version was played on the radio????
@Setanta O’Toole: well said. A good singer songwriter is dead and the conversation turns into a schoolyard argument about who is more the snowflake than the next person. They all need to stop being such a pack of biscuits
@Andrew Lavelle: heard it today, as other people have said they have. In any case, im not that pushed about one word being changed tbh. You should probably examine why it bothers you so much.
@Tommy Roche: 100%! I have never once heard anyone complaining about the lyrics but every year I hear these muppets whinging about these mythical people complaining about the lyrics. Sad lot they are. RIP Shane.
@Fiona Ryan: What’s all this about snowflakes taking offence? What’s there to be offended about? A few curses here and there? People are hardly worried about that in this day and age
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: then why were the lyrics changed?
@Andrew Lavelle: numerous people have told you they have heard the ‘proper’ version on the radio up to today. The edited version existed before this argument ever arose online. It’s the decision of the radio station which version they want to play or not. Why don’t you take it up with them instead of raging at the fictional fun police you think are out to spurn your yearly chance of roaring your beloved forbidden word consequence free in a pub.
@Setanta O’Toole: I’m not raging. Far from it. It’s just hilarious how ye pretend it wasn’t changed because of people complaining but then shoot down people that were not happy about the change. The same people that tried to get other songs cancelled and old books rewritten . But keep telling yourself it’s made up to make yourself happy .The biggest stations play the changed versions.
Anyway RIP Shane McGowan
Desperately sad. Thoughts are with his loved ones.
Rip Shane. You were a genuis and a rebel. Lullaby of London remains one one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
@Brian Dunne: Yes: that whole album is great.
And an evening breeze coming from the east
That kissed the riverside
So I pray now, child, that you sleep tonight
When you hear this lullaby
May the wind that blows from haunted graves
Never bring you misery
May the angels bright watch you tonight
And keep you while you sleep
RIP We will never see another one like Shane
I knew Shane as a 16 year old teenager in Pecham. He was an amazingly thoughtful boy even then and an exceptional talent. Condolences to his wife, family andd many friends. May he rest in peace.
Rest In peace Shane
God rest him very sad,thought he was ok when they sent him home.RIP
@Jan Eire: he was no Kissenger.
@Pól Pot: or Jimmy Corkhill:) and now Alastair Darling. Four well-known deaths today, sadly. RIP all. A Rainy Night in Soho fabulous song. Another fabulous talent gone.
“Fairytale New York” will be sung mighty this year!…rest in peace Shane and Kirsty and thank you for bringing the best Christmas song to our heart’s …
Hopefully SMcG is now at peace. A National Treasure. RIP Shane McGowan
@Keith O’Driscoll: Born in Kent UK … the Brits will claim him now!
@Lulu: He was London Irish, which is a thing in itself. The mixture was massively important, and sparked his creativity: he couldn’t have written those songs had he lived all his life in Tipperary. So we can’t fully claim him either.
@Brendan O’Brien: Brilliant point Brendan, he would never written any of those classics or been the amazing lyricist that he was, had London and English culture not shaped him. Sad day though, as we will never see the likes of him again. RIP Shane
@Brendan O’Brien: So true. For us London Irish, he was ours.
Instantly recognisable symbol of Ireland irrespective of one’s thoughts. God be good to his gentle soul. He left a legacy of wonderful music for future generations.
@Charles Mc Carthy: recognisable symbol of Ireland or the emigrant Irish in Britain?
This morning on the harbour, when I said goodbye to you
I remember how I swore that I’d come back to you one day
And as the sunset came to meet, the evening on the hill
I told you I’d always love you, I always did, I always will
RIP Shane legend
R.i.p Shane ,thanks for the memories.
RIP
What a brilliant singer song writer, the best of Irish talent ever produced. RIP young man
@Rafa C: Irish talent?
Great character, great singer. Give Kirsty MacColl a big hug when you arrive.
RIP Shane. I knew when I heard he had been discharged from hospital that he was on his final journey.
Desperately sad right now. I loved you Shane. Rest in Peace.
It was Christmas Eve babe…
Rest in Peace. Legend.
Did it his own way…..god bless you Shane we won’t see your likes again
A genius lyricist. His songs will live forever. Rest in peace Shane. We will never forget you x
A true music icon. RIP.
Ahh no, so so sad. Deepest sympathy to his partner Victoria and his family and friends. Rest in Eternal Peace Shane.
Fantastic songwriter, RIP Shane
@Paul Gorry: did you do a days work today?
A man of immeasurable talent. His songs will live on forever. I had the honour of meeting him once and he was incredibly humble and a complete gentleman. They say never meet your hero’s but Shane was an exception in every sense. RIP Shane.
“You’re the measure of my dreams” RIP Shane
Rainy night in SoHo probably one of the best… turned trad into rock. What a voice what a talent x
Rest in Peace you legend and sincerest condolences to Victoria and all your loved ones x
Gone but not forgotten, RIP Shane.
R.I.P Shane
So sad
I’m not singing for the future
I’m not dreaming of the past
I’m not talking of the first times
I never think about the last
@Logs Byrne: Great lyrics…one of my favourites.
Keep the old mouth shut today Fanning, no one cares what you thought of the great man!
Rip Shane.
Another legend gone so sad him and Sinead o Connor having some party in heaven
Another legend gone too soon, RIP Shane.
RIP Shane. Very Sad. An icon.
Left us with a lot of beautiful memories . Thanks Shane .
The Lord have mercy on you Shane.
You have left a mighty legacy.
God Speed.
Ireland had great poets another one gone to write and sing his poetry in the as he joins the greatest gig in the sky.
RIP Shane
@Paddy Geoghegan: but he was English.
‘You’re the measure of my dreams’…..what a lyric.amazing song writer.RIP.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís.
@Alex Marquis: go maith
Rest in peace Shane. Thanks for the music and memories.
The first time I saw you
Standing in the Street
You were so cool
You could have put out Vietnam
Probably the single best lyricist and poet of the 80s and 90s bar none
Rest in Peace Shane
@Richard Reade: I thought the ‘Vietnam’ one was probably his worst line ever (or Sinead’s, if she came up with it), and ruined the whole song.
@Brendan O’Brien: Maybe Brendan I just think it iconic to describe him and how he could light up a room. A genius and i will be forever in awe of his words a gentle poet
@Richard Reade: I totally agree.
So sorry to hear this news, Shane and the Pogues and the Popes , have given us songs that will last forever and will echo down through the generations.
Thank you to Victoria for taking him and keeping him, what a rock, a love story for the ages.
Condolences to family, friends and fans alike, Godspeed Shane and thank you so much.
Massive loss…True Genius…Will truly be missed…RIP
Heartbroken here tears starting
He seemed indestructible in that Keith Richards kind of way. RIP.
He may be gone r.i.p.
However his songs will live on forever
Years ago with glitzy album covers, an American label wanted to photoshop his teeth into Colgate sparkly white, but he gave them something to chew on. He was the Brendan Behan of music.
One of the greatest songwriters of all times.and a true Irishman.RIP Shane McGowan you may be gone but you will never be forgotten
Another Iconic singer has gone all too soon…rest in peace Shane
RIP Sir.
He was barely hanging, he is out of his pain now but has left an enduring legacy.
Genius songwriter, very eloquent writer and fascinating life. Re-watch “Haunted by the ghost” his duet with Sinéad O’Connor in 1995. Two exceptionally talented people.
I don’t remember his glory years been of the snowflake generation but I remember my aul
Lad listening to him in the car..he was excellent. Pity we don’t produce the like anymore.
Rest in Peace Shane.
The worms crawl in and the worms crawl out…..be merry my friends, be merry. RIP
Legend rip
With all due respect,but something I always wondered about was the fact that he seemed to be encouraged to drink(and whatever else) . Did he ever get much support with alcohol , I remember him on the late late once and the set was a bar!. Anyway a genius no doubt. R.I.P.
Shane McGowan and Sinéad O’Connor in the same year. I can’t stop crying. It’s so unbearably sad. Two relatively young lives.
RIP Shane, I hope McCormack and Richard Tauber were singing by your bed…..
He died the same day as on of the world’s most evil men, but it is Shane whose legacy will live forever.
@Dan Breen: dunno about the other fellas legacy being short lived, many are still living with the effects of his actions across the globe. I’d mention examples but it’s easier to just say take your pick.
Many moons ago I remember walking through Temple Bar on my way to college early one morning and seeing Shane passed out on the steps outside the old Club M. Pint of clear spirit in a glass beside him. Thought how sad it was. A talent who’s addiction disease took over. May he RIP.
A rainy in soho…… what a way with words. What a picture that song paints…….one of my favs of all time
Is that the best photo ye could come up with FFS
Probably. With respect, he was no Brad Pitt.
The fairytale of New York (never fed up, even thousand times), the dirty old town… my favorite songs and you were the first irish singer I studied when i came to ireland 2 decades ago. Also leaned singers sing better when they are drunk. What a fkin day, first Kissinger, now you? Just before Xmas? RIP the legend
RIP Shane, you were and are very much loved.
Sleep well, shane, your music inspired us very much
RIP Shane legend………
Happy Xmas my A**e !!
I’d rather be dead.
Rest in peace to a legend.
Wow,. Shane MacGowan, Alistair Darling and Sticky Vicky…. Now that’s some lineup at the Pearly Gates. R.I.P.
Legend, make sure the song never gets banned or changed.
Wonder what kinda fartage Fanning will spew.
LEGEND full stop
Had his deamons
R.I.P. Shane
The two who sang that lovely Christmas song now meet to have a laugh and a joke in the lovely place that some call heaven. RIP Shane. You truly were different but in a beautiful way.
RIP Shane. The world will never see your like again.
R.i.p
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