Am I Sexist?
… Because I don’t like female authors?
Ok, this isn’t easy for me to admit. I am not even sure if it’s true. I don’t even know if it’s sexism or something else, but there are so many male authors on my favourites list- and only a few females.
You might say it’s not surprising. After all, there were- historically- more male writers. Women of the past didn’t enjoy the freedom to write and to get their voices heard. It is, more or less changed today. Still, number of male writers is still higher.
Not to mention most of the so called “classics” are written by men. It’s not surprising for anyone to have more males on the list of favourite authors.
But there’s more. I seem to dislike most of the books written by females. It’s not like it’s impossible to find many books written by female authors these days. But it seems I don’t get them. And I’m not even talking about the so-called “chick lit” garbage that we all know it’s a poor excuse for literature. I’m talking about serious books. Why don’t I like them? Or to say it better: why don’t I like them as much as I like those written by men?
Why isn’t it easier for me, as a woman, to identify with stories written by females? Am I so brainwashed with testosterone-filled world to see anything different as a good thing? But hey people, I do not believe in male vs female writing. I do not believe men write differently than women- I swear, I don’t. I do not think it’s possible to say whether a writer is a man or a woman. I don’t think testosterone or estrogen guides anyone’s heart, mind or muse. I think the whole “men and women are soooo different” issue is rubbish.
In short, I don’t think females write differently than males- but I still seem to prefer literature written by men. (On the other hand, I enjoy academic books and essays written by female scholars. But that’s not the same).
There seem to be only a few female authors I enjoy reading. One of them is one of my favourite authors (and, along with Ian McEwan, my favourite living author). I’m talking about Toni Morrison, of course. Her novels are one of the best I’ve ever read, and “Jazz” is easily in my top 10 books. The way this woman writes is unbelievable and beyond amazing. (The funny thing is, I had no idea author was a woman (or black for that matter) when I first read “Jazz”).
Except for Toni Morrison, I like work of Pearl Buck (ironic, isn’t it? I mean, for these two ladies to be my fav female authors?) I also like, in a very nostalgic way, Charlotte Bronte (but I guess that’s because Jane Eyre was perhaps my favorite book when I was a kid). And… And I can’t think of more authors at the moment. And it’s not like I don’t read.
This trend, I’m afraid, goes beyond literature. My favourite musicians are men. Maybe it could be explained with the fact I prefer deep voices and to give it as a reason for preferring male singers. Maybe. But literature?
So, am I sexist?
PS-As a little gift, here’s one female musician I like. In fact, I’m really into this song these days, it is amazing on so many levels and it inspires me. And only really unique songs can truly inspire an author. A female one, in this case.
Possibly related
02 Jul 10 at 12:54 AM | Diary (Personal), literature, Music, sex and gender | 16 comments
Natasha W
So, if you don’t think that males and females write differently, what could possibly be the reason why you dislike most books written by females? Have you ever tried reading a story without looking at who the author is?
I would say I like male and female authors equally.
02 Jul 10 at 5:23 PM
Mira
I don’t know, Natasha! I certainly don’t think men and women write differently or that there are no great female authors or crappy male ones.
I was thinking about this the whole day and the only thing I can think of is that men, maybe, write more about the things that I’m interested in. A lot of female authors are interested in writing romance (in a form of an old fashion or modern romance, historical romance, etc) or “girl power” books (chick lit, urban fantasy with kick-ass heroines, historical novels with kick-ass heroines, etc)- which I’m usually not interested in. Men and women seem to write equally in some of the genres I enjoy reading but don’t consider truly amazing (mystery and crime novels). So that leaves us with genres that – as far as I can tell- more male authors wish to write about.
What genres are those? Not sure how to define it. “Literary” fiction (aka “serious books”) is often my cup of tea. Post-modernism and mind-screw. Fantasy/SF. Historical novels.
Now, it seems that for the last two genres there are more than enough female writers. But there seem to be more males or maybe I just do prefer male take in these genres. Women can do wonderful SF or fantasy or historical novels- however, they often seem to turn them into “girl power” books, which I don’t like. Especially if it’s about history. As for SF/Fantasy, most of it it’s crap anyway (sorry to say this).
Maybe I’m just picky, really picky. I listed Toni Morrison and Ian McEwan as my favourite living authors because all their work- even if it’s not among their best- has amazing storytelling, and it’s a perfect balance between heart and the brain.
Oh, I forgot: I didn’t write about my “heart vs brain” theory in literature. Maybe I should do a post on it. In short, I believe for a novel or other written work to be exceptional, it has to be created using a perfect balance of authors heart and brains. Too many heart but no brain, and you get borderline cheesy, messy and almost unreadable work. Too many brains but no heart give you a precise and coherent, but too clinical story a reader can’t relate to. As a writer, you have to work on both reader’s emotions and intellect, and even more important, the work has to be an emotional and an intellectual challenge for you, as an author. Or else something is missing.
02 Jul 10 at 6:45 PM
Sigg3
I wrote a long comment but it was eaten up..?
Anyway, there are quite a few talented female writers (just not yesteryear). But I think certain typical psychological traits in the male sex (one-sidedness, shutting out everything else) makes it easier to achieve literary excellence. That said, I think male literature may not always suit female readers and vice versa.
Personally, my best writing so far has been exclusively aimed at gentlemen (not the lower-class riff-raff). I target the few. But women eat it up..
Besides, having kids make women change focus too as with any other pursuit or career..
05 Jul 10 at 10:48 AM
Natasha W
Mira,
“I was thinking about this the whole day and the only thing I can think of is that men, maybe, write more about the things that I’m interested in.”
Oh, okay. I think that makes sense, especially for the genres you listed.
So, problem solved?
07 Jul 10 at 10:40 PM
Mira
@Sigg
Too bad about your comment. I have no idea what happened.
So, all in all, you DO believe men and women write differently? I don’t think so. I honestly don’t.
As for male/female readers, I do agree men don’t tend to read many books written by females, but women read male writers a lot. In a way, that’s because females are “forced” to read male writers in school (you can’t get any education if you don’t read in school, and, at least 80% you read “classics” which, more or less, equals “male”). So women are used in reading male writers and see nothing wrong with it.
On the other hand, I repeat: I don’t think women and men write differently. However, there must be something in their choice of genres that make ME prefer male authors, for a simple reason there are more males than females interested in those genres.
That’s gotta be it.
@Natasha W
Problem solved, I guess. I mean, at least now I have an idea what’s going on. I still feel bad about it.
Also, it opens another question: WHY do women dislike these genres? There’s nothing in “male” brain that makes them genetically better in postmodernism (as proved by many female scholars), “mind screw” books, or good history books. Not to mention SF and fantasy.
Now, SF and fantasy may be a tricky genre, because many of those (especially fantasy) suck, but the crappiness is not gender-specific.
As for historical novels, women often screw it because they want to make women in history look more emancipated than they actually were, but it goes along “girl power” narrative that can ruin any work pretty quickly, imo. But if they don’t do that, women can write excellent historical novels. They just don’t seem interested. Same goes for other genres mentioned here.
Why?
08 Jul 10 at 12:40 PM
Natasha W
Mira,
“WHY do women dislike these genres?”
I’m not too sure, but I think it has a lot to do with societal influences and what is encouraged or discouraged, subtly or unsubtly.
In particular, I don’t think history (or government and politics) are subjects women are encouraged to be interested in.
08 Jul 10 at 7:50 PM
SW6
Men and Women, they do too write differently!
And may it be this way forever!
There are things that make women, women, and things that make men, men. It comes out in the way they walk down the street or even the way they brush their teeth. If you can see gender differences exist in the mundane, why not in important stuff like writing and literature. Women just (in general) have a different make up from men (emotionally/psychologically) so the words they use will be different.
Most finance books are written by men. I’ve got no problem reading one by a woman but it doesn’t happen often. In this realm they can be equal.
But i don’t think men and women are equal in writing across the board. This is not as pejorative as you may be thinking. I just mean there are key differences.
Consider: I would NEVER want to read Erotica that had been penned by a man. I’m guessing most women wouldn’t want to read erotica authored by a man either. Women have a lock on that genre now and forever. Not equal, but not bad either.
I don’t feel the slightest bit sexist in my outlook here.
I hope i’ve made sense; i’m tired.
Sorry, if you were intending more for commenters to stick to literature; hope i did not stray too far.
09 Jul 10 at 4:51 AM
Mira
@Natasha
In particular, I don’t think history (or government and politics) are subjects women are encouraged to be interested in.
True, but that is sad. As an archaeologist, I protest!
Also, publisher’s prejudice might work here as well. Maybe THEY are those who don’t believe audience would like a historical or political novel written by a woman. Hey, even “Harry Potter” (that is in no way related to these serious genres) had to hide its author’s gender first time it was published.
@SW6,
Your comment was not off topic. I did focus on literature, but it goes beyond that.
It is true that we can’t escape who we are and it shows in our work. (Be it or gender, race, nationality or a personal identity). Still, I don’t think women write differently than men. True, the most horrible purple prose was written by women, but there are always female authors like Toni Morrison who is too talented, skilful and intelligent not to do that.
On the other hand, I do believe publishers/agents are prejudiced. They expect one type of literature from female authors, and other from males. It’s not a secret most of the readers today are women- so maybe the choice publishers make reflect their (female readers) poor taste, not female author’s inability to write intelligent stories.
So you have a stupid situation, in which male authors are those who are discriminated, in a way, because most of the audience is female. And you have female authors who don’t wish to write purple prose-chick lit-twilight nonsense, and they are also discriminated, because the audience don’t buy that sort of books.
As for erotica, I must admit I don’t “enjoy” stories (if you know what I mean) written by women. Most of the time, they are cheesy and unrealistic. On the other hand, I do understand your point: erotica needs more female authors because only a woman could know what turns women on, I guess.
I’ve never read anything of that sorts written by a male author, so if you have any stories to recommend…
09 Jul 10 at 5:26 PM
SW6
Does erotica need more female authors? I’m assuming that the male authors are already the minority in that genre. But it’s just my assumption.
I can’t recommend any erotica. It’s one of those genres that is on my to do list to get to.
But I’ll stick my neck out and make a different recommendation. There is a physics book that may really impress you. The book is called The Field written by Lynne McTaggart. It’s an amazing book.
09 Jul 10 at 6:16 PM
Mira
Well, true, females do like writing erotica. Like I said, it’s good for female readers, if the stories are good, “exciting”, etc. But the problem is, most of them are not. They are cheesy, unrealistic and focus more on author’s dreams of having a man who respects women than actually having a great sex fantasy.
In other words, most of them quickly turn into “most men don’t respect women” whining. Not to mention many focus way too much on male character’s penis.
Most of these descriptions make me wonder whether authors really know how male anatomy looks, works and feels like.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IKEAerotica
Also: slash. (Not Guns N’Roses guitarist).
PS-Thanks for book recommendation!
09 Jul 10 at 6:38 PM
Natasha W
“Consider: I would NEVER want to read Erotica that had been penned by a man. I’m guessing most women wouldn’t want to read erotica authored by a man either. Women have a lock on that genre now and forever. Not equal, but not bad either.”
I’ve read erotica by men in the past. I’m not really an erotica fan, but I don’t think I picked up on many, if any, differences between men and women (except, of course, sometimes they would write from the vantage point of their gender).
09 Jul 10 at 6:49 PM
SW6
@Natasha
…hmm
Well, as always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I shall have to actually check out some erotica.
09 Jul 10 at 7:51 PM
Mariana
Well, I don’t know if that’s a reson to think of yourself as a sexist. I believe that sexism is way beyond that.
12 Jul 10 at 11:31 PM
Mira
Sexism has many faces. Some are more harmful than the others, but it’s important not to forget about some (subconscious) things that may seem like a “no big deal”, but are basically sexist in nature.
13 Jul 10 at 7:35 PM
Mel
This is a strange phenomenon. Toni Morrison is one of my favorite authors, too, alongside Ian McEwan (love Atonement). Anyway, as long as you’re not one of those females who simply assume men are superior because they write about “more serious stuff.”
PS. I hate Jane Eyre. Love Jane Austen’s stuff though.
06 Aug 10 at 4:13 AM
Mira
@ Mel
lol! Well, Morrison and McEwan ARE one of the best living authors, imo. Their books are perfect, both in terms of heart and brains (so to speak). Their styles and themes are different, but their talent shows on every page.
I wasn’t really crazy about Jane Austen because I was too young when I read it and didn’t quite understand historical setting and their culture norms. As for “Jane Eyre”, I can see why somebody might not like it (especially the romance part*), but those chapters when she’s in school are very touching and striking, and perfectly describe the life in an orphanage school. I hate when they downplay this period of Jane’s life when making movie adaptations.
*It doesn’t mean Mr Rochester is a bad character; in fact, he’s ok. He became somewhat iconic, and I read that he was one of the reasons Meyer decided to name her hero Edward.
06 Aug 10 at 1:19 PM