Margo Lanagan Interview
The Acclaimed Speculative Author on her New Novel, Tender Morsels
You deal with a number of dark themes in your latest novel, Tender Morsels, including rape and sexual abuse. How do you respond to those who would object that this is not a book suitable for young readers?
I'd agree that it isn't a book that's suitable for all young readers. I'd agree that it shouldn't be compulsory reading on a school curriculum. However, I think young readers generally have a pretty clear idea what they're ready for and what they can't handle yet, and I'd say, 'How about we put it out there where they can find it, and trust them to walk away from it if it's too much for them?'
I would also point out that it's not the best book for adults to read if they're in any kind of fragile state. It's a very intense book; it kicks you around emotionally. You need to be feeling resilient to take on the first part, particularly.
Your short fiction has been collected in three collections and published in numerous markets, including the upcoming Firebirds Soaring. What do you feel you can do in a short story that differs from the novel format?
I can take one idea in one direction, and arrive at one resolution. I can use up an idea in a matter of hours, rather than exploring it for a matter of months or years. I can play, rather than work doggedly. I can hold the whole project in my head, instead of going at it partially and waiting for it to come together from all the pieces.
You've previously stated that you write to make sense of the world. Care to elaborate?
That's perhaps an ambitious statement. I think I write to try to make sense of parts of the world, or to admit to myself that they are complex beyond being made sense of. I write to see what's going to come out of myself in response to some spark of idea. It's really all about me! I write to find out what I think, and to give the murkier parts of my self a bit of an airing. Because a person does get tired of trying to be nice all the time.
I've always thought that books take more criticism when it comes to censorship that other mediums; it seems like the banning of a book earns a certain status, that somehow it carries more weight. What are your views on censorship in general?
Books are easier targets than music or movies; they sit still, and there isn't the same degree of dazzle of marketing and wealth around them. Also, if you slag off at a book, the source of the offence is easy to find and attack — a single person sitting in a room, with not very good conversational skills and no one around them to protect them. You don't have to go up against a whole creative and publicity machine — I mean, have you seen the number of people in some of those movie credits? People know they're more likely to be heard if they attack a book than if they attack a movie.
Censorship, and protests about dark or sexy books often seems to me to be fear parading as concern for children and young people. If you really respect young people you make yourself available to answer any question they pop up with, at whatever time it happens and in whatever circumstances. If you're not ready to answer the questions that a challenging book poses, I don't think the issue is with the book.
Read more about Margo Lanagan here.
Tender Morsels
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