Got canceled by my own book club for saying the quiet part out loud

Last Tuesday night at Sarah's house in Portland, our book club was discussing a novel about a controversial historical figure. I mentioned the author had some pretty problematic views herself, and I thought that made the book more interesting, not less. Three members got dead silent. One woman literally closed her book and said she felt "unsafe." By Friday, I got a group text saying I was uninvited from future meetings because I didn't respect their boundaries. I guess cancel culture hits close to home when it's 6 people you've known for 2 years. Has anyone else been kicked out of a group for having a different take on a book?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_wren15d ago

Cracked myself up getting banned from a cat meme group once.

jordang3215d ago

Man, that's rough but honestly not surprising. People get real weird about books like it's a sacred text or something. I got kicked out of a camping forum once for saying that ultralight backpacking gear was overpriced trash for people who have more money than sense. The mods had a meltdown over it. Those book club types are the same way - they want everyone to nod along and clap, not actually talk about the hard parts.

patricia_green2112d ago

Wait, so you can't call out an author's problematic history in a book club? Sounds like you guys were discussing a novel, not forming a secret society. I guess the "safe space" only covers opinions that match the group's approved list. Next time maybe bring a pamphlet on trigger warnings for controversial historical figures, along with some gluten free snacks. Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't cancel you for using the quiet part out loud wording itself. Seems like a real slippery slope when a book club turns into a echo chamber with wine.