Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma

Thoughts on how to handle a sad, but common feature of modern life

Gone are the days when “ignorance was bliss.”  Nowadays, with unfettered access to information via the internet and social media, it is almost impossible not to learn details of the lives of our favorite artists/creators – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Over the last few decades there has been a seemingly endless list of once beloved stars who have become pariahs in the eyes of the public. So, what do you do when you learn that your favorite artist/performer (actor, athlete, author, musician, etc.) is accused of serious misconduct or in some cases down-right monstrous behavior? Are you still able to enjoy their work? Can you compartmentalize - separate their work of art from their biography? Is the work tainted or forever ruined? These are some of the questions that Dederer wrestles with in Monsters. While she speaks from her own experience as both a creator and a fan, she admits that she doesn’t have all the answers. Ultimately, it is up to each individual fan, but she provides lots of things to consider.