Elizabeth Gilbert’s anticipated novel, The Snow Forest, was due to release in February 2024. The cover had just been revealed on national TV and pre-orders were open when the one-star Goodreads reviews started to pour in. Why? Because the novel is set in Siberia, and some Ukrainian readers were alleging the novel romanticizes Russia, even though they had not read the book. (The book centers around a family in the 1930s that finds refuge from the Soviet government in the woods of Siberia.)

Gilbert promptly took to social media to announce her decision to withdraw the book from publication, stating, “It is not the time for this book to be published.” Her publisher, Riverhead, has so far refrained from commenting. Yet, the decision sparked a myriad of reviews ranging from disagreement to support. Understand that these “reviews” are from readers ho have not even read the book yet. [Elizabeth Gilbert’s Instagram Post – [Instagram Post by Elizabeth Gilbert – https://www.instagram.com/p/CtY2mMkAM67/]

A statement from PEN America stated:

“It is regrettable that Elizabeth Gilbert felt it necessary to delay the publication of a novel set in Russia. Ukrainians have suffered immeasurably, and Gilbert’s decision in the face of online outcry from her Ukrainian readers is well-intended. But the idea that, in wartime, creativity and artistic expression should be preemptively shut down to avoid somehow compounding harms caused by military aggression is wrongheaded.  The timing of the uproar, right after Gilbert announced the forthcoming publication, makes clear that those objecting have not yet had a chance to read or judge the work itself.”

[https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-regrettable-that-elizabeth-gilbert-delayed-publication-of-new-novel-set-in-russia/]   Accessed June 21, 2023

A statement from the Authors Guild:

“The Authors Guild believes that books should never be censored or banned, but every author should have to right to decide when and how they want to publish their work. It’s a personal choice, and since words have power, Elizabeth Gilbert absolutely has the right to decide how and when her words should best be used. Some Americans believe it is a stretch to be so upset about a book set in Siberia a century ago seemingly detached from the current regime or crisis wrought by Putin, but Gilbert heard and empathized with the pain of her readers in Ukraine, and we respect her decision that she does not want to bring more harm to her Ukrainian readers.

To be clear, we would not, however, support the decision of a publisher to pressure a writer to not publish the book. Authors should never be required to withdraw books but must have the right to speak or not speak when they wish.”

[https://authorsguild.org/news/ag-statement-on-elizabeth-gilbert-novel-delay/] Accessed June 21, 2023

Critics are mainly concerned this sets a bad precedent and appears to reward review-bombing on Goodreads.

Let me know what you in the comments below.

Jane Friedman’s HOT SHEET brought the above to my attention.