Oh good grief.

[prog]

Whether it's Bradbury saying something cranky or Rowling saying something saucy, the author's interpretation of their own story or characters is worth no more than any other reader's take-away.

I mean, it's definitely worth talking about, and if you find yourself agreeing with the author about it, that's cool. But to then go on and say "Aha, this definitively means that Character X had Attribute Y", I say poopie upon you.

If I ever design a yuk-yuk T-shirt (besides the Volity ones) it will be themed around the slogan AUTHORIAL INTENT IS FOR SUCKERS or something.

Comments

[chocorisu.livejournal.com]

I don't really understand what the big deal is. So an author says off-handedly that she wrote a fictional male character as though he were gay? How on earth is that remotely newsworthy? It's not like she actually wrote a chapter where he starts spontaneously nibbling on Harry's earlobe or something, I mean, I can see how that might ruffle a few feathers what with it being a children's book 'n all.