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There are things we think sometimes that we must never say out loud. This is what our cultural upbringing tells us. Even if we have those bad thoughts, other people mustn't know that we thought them, even briefly.
But aren't writers meant to write down the thoughts that others won't speak?
The inciting incident is at a family BBQ in Melbourne, Australia when a man slaps a badly behaving child who is not his own. The ramifications of this event are told from the perspectives of the different characters. We read their dirty thoughts and experience their reactions, conversations and the feelings they keep hidden.
It is a slice of multi-cultural life where liberal middle-class values are slashed away and the underbelly of real emotion is shown.
Racism is clearly depicted between Greek, Indian, Aboriginal and white characters who are all essentially Australian. Classism isn't meant to exist in Australia but we see it through the eyes of Harry, with new money as he looks at the shabby house of the family whose child he hit.
Motherhood is tackled through the eyes of Anouk, who feels no desire for a baby and terminates her pregnancy without telling her close friends who would judge her for it. We also see Rosie, whose child Hugo is slapped. When the scene is described, you feel in one way it was justified as the child is violent, undisciplined and spoiled but then there is the argument that no child should be hit, whatever the definition of the word. Then we see Rosie's life where she still breast-feeds Hugo at age 4, and he even demands it. The way she brings him up would revolt some and be defended by others.
Sex is pervasive in the book, within marriage, but also with affairs, fantasies and gay experience. The honesty is excruciating in parts, a side to domesticity that perhaps no one wants to talk about. Happiness doesn't feature much in the book, but then, happy couples don't make for a great story. At times, the raw writing makes you put it down to get your breath back.
Age and death are also written about, as well as family pride, money and lies which damage and destroy relationships. This is a book full of the topics we often hide and run from, to avoid controversy and anger from others.
If you can face an uncomfortably honest read, then The Slap will give you much to think about.
What do you think about honesty in writing? Do you tackle taboo subjects in your writing?
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1 2 Next »I love it when authors have the courage to do something like this, they often make the most memorable books. I look for honesty in the books I read and strive for it as a writer.
A lot of my writing deals with taboo topics. It can be hard to have the courage to put books like this out in the world and I applaud authors who are brave enough to do it.
It's great that you are tackling the big subjects Caethes. I haven't been brave enough to do that yet.
I can see where you are coming from, but I just can't buy that The Slap is honest writing. It's strong, it's in your face, but it's bordering on smut and titillation, just for those purposes.
The Slap is such an inconsequential part of the book, blink and you miss it. To me I read this as someone wanting to shock. Obviously I am well in the majority, by the number of people that have bought and talk about this book, but how many people love this book? How many people love the characters in this book? How many people can relate to this book?
I found the language straight out of the 70's and not contemporary at all. People do not talk like that today, so therefore I do not find it an honest book, just a strongly worded book.
But it is a book that raises many discussions and that's a good thing.
I agree that the characters are unlikable, but it is one of the most memorable books I have read which makes it extraordinary. It made me think about my writing as well as the aspects of life he covered.
I didn't love it though, I agree with that!
I wonder if he writes to shock or if that is his voice in general? I read another of his books 'Dead Europe' and that was really disturbing. I had to put it down and skip over parts.
If someone tells me something is taboo in writing, I take that as a challenge. I've had hate mail about some of the things that happen in my books, but to me I'm being honest about the situation and the characters and taking things to realistic conclusions. But I haven't read The Slap, so can't comment on that.
On the subject of taboos in writing, there was a Worldcon panel that discussed just that, so you might find this post interesting:
http://www.alanbaxteronline.com/2010/09/13/worldcon-panel-eternal-border.html
There's also this post, but it's a lot more confronting and contains many swears:
http://www.alanbaxteronline.com/2010/09/30/fuck-koran-read-harry-potter.html
Good point Alan - some of your writing is definitely taboo. I didn't know you'd had hate mail. You're such a nice guy!
I still haven't got round to reading The Slap, but I know it's got great reviews and, of course, was Booker-nominated.
I think that so long as you can justify your choices, pretty much anything goes. Some of the greatest writing can be uncomfortable to read at times, but where there is an important point being made, it's important to keep going and see past the tricky bits.
And, of course, separate the author from the work. I've had a number of 'I can't believe you wrote that,' comments about my novel (it's about caring for a stroke victim), but I do have to remind them that they are characters! It's not me saying/doing these things!
Good point Iain. I mention the other book I read 'Dead Europe' which is written in first person from one POV and I was definitely guilty of assuming he was like the character. It's harder to do that when the book is written from 8 POV. Perhaps it shows how well written a book is when a reader assumes it's from real life?
I have to admit that I struggled to read The Slap. It was an 'interesting' read, but I found I didn't really like or warm to any of the characters. I liked the concept of their world unravelling from one single occurrence and the way the story was told from multiple viewpoints, but the characters were all such awful people. I'm glad I read it, but I agree with your description of it as 'voyeristic'.
I don't think I could have written something which was so brutal and I probably wouldn't recommend it to others. I agree that fiction has to reflect real life - which I suppose is where honesty comes in - and I have read some books which have worse scenes, but I think I prefer a less blunt approach.
Still, full marks to the author for writing it - and managing to get it published!
I agree Lynne. I don't want to be brutal, not while I am still starting out. It attracts such vitriol and I couldn't cope with that just yet! But I wrote this post because I admire Christos for doing just that. He isn't concerned with what people think (at least he seems not to be!)
You've hit the nail on the head Iain. This is fiction not real life. I was actually at a talk that Christos gave some time back and a person actually asked him about rearing her child, because she wasn't sure if to slap or not, she was serious. Such is the power of fiction that some people think it is real life.
I'm in a book club and members are always saying, "How could he/she do that" As a writer I think it's wonderful and strange that some people think what they are reading is real.
Honesty in writing is not something that I look for ever. It's the beauty or flow of words that draws me in, regardless of the subject.
The hate mail was mainly about the end of MageSign and what happens to certain characters. But I've had religious hate mail too, in various forms. I play with religious mythology so much I suppose it's to be expected!
I reckon if you get hate mail, you're famous!
I'm famous? Excellent!
A writing teacher of mine recently said that if you're writing things you never thought you would, that are surprising even to you, then you're on the right track. I feel like that's what being honest and brave in writing is all about! And your writing will grow bounds with them... :)
"The chief commodity a writer has to sell is his courage. And if he has none, he is more than a coward. He is a sellout and a fink and a heretic, because writing is a holy chore." ~ Harlan Ellison
Awesome quote!
This is the second thoughtful review of this book that I read on a blog by a smart person, so now I will have to buy it.
I do tackle taboo subjects in my writing sometimes. I think it can be important to one's development if nothing else. I also like light stuff, I think there is room for all different types of stories. I wouldn't want to live in a world without Jerome K Jerome, PG Wodehouse or Rex Stout.
I know that some writers believe in steering away from controversy at all cost, for example: any mention of their own political or religious beliefs (or non-belief) on their blogs, under the assumption that this will only alienate some percentage of the world and limit one's potential readership. I can't agree with that. I think to write fiction well, you have to be willing to reveal who you are. Not everyone is going to like you, or your work, but the ones that do will find that work resonates more with them.
That's so right Michael. Authenticity is what people want in an age of over-engineered celebrities and mass culture.
I do believe we should keep some things private but allowing aspects of ourselves to be revealed in our writing is important.