such an interesting essay collection examining the fan dilemma of separating the art from the artist, what constitutes a ‘monster’, and our complicity and morality when it comes to consuming the work of, and in some cases ‘loving’, artists who have done awful things. you won’t agree with every single point in here, but it’s a compelling, smart, and passionate insight into an age-old debate which no one will ever truly have the answers to. and as dederer states in the book, maybe it’s not really our job to have the answers.

(dederer does, however, kind of come to her own conclusions on how she will move forward with these dilemmas. but it’s something each person must take the time to decide for themselves.)