Should You Read About an Author Before Reading the Book?

What Stands Alone: The Book or the Author? A Reader’s Dilemma

Every time I pick up a book, a quiet dilemma arises: should I learn about the author before reading, or discover the writer only after I’ve turned the final page?

Does knowing the author complete the book, or is it merely the author’s name that sells the book? Every reader must have contemplated whether they are reading a particular author to know more about the writer, or to discover what the book holds within itself.

Let's discuss this today.

The author first, book later—

Pros

When a reader knows an author, she/he understands the background of the book, and what the mind that wrote the book must have been going through. This is of far more importance when one picks up the 'classics' that highly express the societal norms and cultural prudence of their times. It deepens the interpretation of the book by the reader.

Authors like George Eliot, Leo Tolstoy, and Mark Twain, who fall under the theme of literary realism, are better read when it is understood what times they were born in. As literature is not just written and read but absorbed in conscience, its impact on society at multiple times is catered to by the intellect.

It's rightly said that 'literature is not born in isolation'—indicating that it is often shaped by personal history, social conditions, and intellectual influences, which can be filtered only if you understand the author.

An emotional connection with the author often leads to the intensification of the weight of the narratives, often visible in autobiographies that have a lasting resonance with the readers.

For instance, Helen Keller's The Story of My Life can be better felt when the reader knows that she is a person with dual sensory impairment.

In today's world, where the flow of data and information is majorly through social media, authors get leverage in introducing their work to a larger audience through campaigns, which help readers get to know author; with so many recommendations, sometimes these authors may suit a particular niche for the reader.

Cons

This may make the readers very critical and form an author bias, which may limit the reader from trying something new from the author. For example, J.K. Rowling, who is well known for her children's fantasy novels—Harry Potter—has also written a book called The Casual Vacancy (on the darker side of human reality); it is completely different from her niche or what she is well-known for, and did not receive much limelight.

A stigma gets attached to the author and even publishers may push them to produce a similar work that was a hit. This often subjugates the author, hampering creativity and artistic marvellousness, limiting the authors to a particular niche.

The book first, author later—

Pros

The literature should ideally answer for itself; a book many a time should not require the reader to know the name of the author; literary worship would account for the miss.

This argument allows the reader to approach a book without any preconceived notion, just like a blank sheet that can be drawn, written, smeared with whatever the reader wants. The emotions created are pure and completely text-driven.

This uplifts the idea that a book enriches it's readers soul with its words, and it completely belongs to the reader once published.

Frankenstein is a perfect example. Almost every reader knows the monster created, but not all know its author. The piece is sometimes reflected in daily conversation as—Frankenstein, the monster, while only the one who read the book knows the truth.

This is the sheer power of Mary Shelley's writing that has outlived her.

Cons

Though it is absolutely correct that the book holds supremacy in this notion, sometimes the readers may leave the book in the middle as they might not relate to the book; this could be as the context of the book takes a backseat when the contemporary world—the world of the author—is left out by the reader.

Authors often bring their work alive by research and projecting reality, which puts a moral obligation on the readers to know who the author was to know what society the books discuss.

READER'S RESPONSIBILITY 

So, what began as the reader's choice becomes a reader's responsibility—a moral obligation.

But should the reader's mind be captivated by the world of the author or the creativity it offers?

Perhaps the question is not limited to either-or, but "when".

One practical way to create peace can be by reading the theme of the book while picking. A fantasy, mystery or any piece that doesn't revolve around the author should be read as it is, but when it shadows a critique or a socio-political norm, the author must be read, before or after reading the work. This would prevent the reader from forming a bias and allow them to enjoy the creation to the full.

The rest is up to your discretion.

Books in post—

Click to buy!

     Title - The Story of My Life 

     Author - Helen Keller 

     Theme- Perseverance, virtue of a mentor in life, Power and            importance of education 

      Author to be Read before the book - Yes!

Click to buy!

       Title -     Frankenstein

       Author - Mary Shelley
       Theme- Dangers of obsessive pursuit of knowledge, Creators.             responsibility and Ethics

       Author to be read before the book - Not Necessarily!