Valuing joy over vanity. On diversity within literature

Translation: Lísa Margrét Gunnarsdóttir

Diversity can be found far and wide in life, and art is no exception. It’s important to celebrate diversity within art instead of belittling certain art forms on account of one’s own vanity. This is especially true regarding literature, where authors and readers experience stigma because of the genres of literature they favour. This stigmatisation stems from the old tradition of classifying some genres of literature as ‘high culture’ while viewing other genres, especially those relating to young adults and women, as ‘low culture’.

What constitutes a good book?

I wanted to discuss my own experience regarding genres of literature and the topic of being shy about disclosing which books I primarily read. Having a degree in literature creates the pressure of reading books that are considered ‘good’, cultural and significant. Books from which I can learn and become a better person after having read them. I feel as if I need to read books by important authors and be able to describe the effect they’ve had on society and myself. Although I do read a number of such pieces of literature by authors such as Nawal El Sadaawi, Isabel Allende, Virginia Woolf and others who have written extraordinary and pivotal novels describing unique cultures, The Hunger Games is still one of the best books I’ve ever read. Should I feel shame due to the fact that the books I enjoy the most wouldn’t necessarily impress T.S. Eliot or Hemingway? 

I’ve often felt as if I’m not knowledgeable enough regarding a genre of literature to be able to partake in its discussion, or to claim that I’ve read or enjoyed it - because I can’t name the biggest authors within that genre or I don’t know its characteristics. Perhaps it’s because of my own feelings of inferiority that I’ve found myself hesitating when listing the books I find the most joyful, but these feelings must arise from the way society holds certain books in high esteem, while other works are less respected.

Proving one’s own worth

This stigmatisation is also present when it comes to authors; some are considered serious while others keep having to prove their own worth. Many authors of romance novels and fantasy books for young adults have spoken up on the matter, and the question of writing ‘real literature’. Despite the enormous target audience surrounding romance and fantasy novels, its authors struggle to earn respect for their work. 

So why do we feel the need to prove ourselves to others? And why are we gatekeeping the type of art we enjoy the most? As if only a select few are allowed to enjoy the works we appreciate. Could the reason for this be that we want to identify with these few and thus form some sort of whole? Wouldn’t it be better to make space for as many people as possible, in order to broaden one’s horizons and gain the opportunity of discovering something new within a defined environment, such as the book genre we appreciate the most? 

A book doesn’t have to be life-changing

When we say we want to celebrate diversity, we must also keep in mind the entertainment people consume. We all have the right to appreciate art and to express our views on it without feeling shame - as long as the art form does no harm to others. Additionally, it’s good to keep in mind that we don’t necessarily need to learn from the books we read, nor do we need to feel inspiration or be affected deeply by them. A book doesn’t have to change your life in order to be considered good. All it needs to do is capture your attention and bring you joy while reading it. It doesn’t matter if you forget the plot in its entirety after you’ve finished a book - as long as you have fun while you’re reading, you’re entitled to consider a book good, and to speak of it as such. 

We must celebrate diversity in every way it presents itself to us and be tolerant, keeping in mind that nothing is above anything else.