A sensitivity reader is someone who reads a literary work, looking for perceived offensive content, stereotypes and bias, creating a report for an author or publisher with suggested changes.[1][2] The use of sensitivity readers has attracted controversy from some authors and members of the public, particularly with respect to edits to re-editions of previously published works of literature.

Purpose

Proponents state "the literary quality of a work is substantially improved" when reviewed and copy-edited by others from "a specific Nation or community that the author is writing about".[1] Helen Wicks, managing director for children's trade at Bonnier, defended the practice by stating that "we believe sensitivity reads can play an important role in inclusive, forward-thinking publishing."[3] Charlie Higson, actor, comedian and author of the first five Young Bond novels, also defended them saying that sensitivity reading is “nothing new”.[4]

Beginnings in US young adult fiction

From 2015, partly in response to the movement for diversity in young adult fiction, sensitivity readings became popular and influential especially in Young Adult Fiction.[5][6] Cases where sensitivity readers were brought in after pre-publication controversy included those of Laura Moriarty, whose book American Heart had its prestigious Kirkus Reviews star removed prior to publication in 2017,[7] and Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao.[8] Kosoko Jackson, a sensitivity reader himself, withdrew his own novel A Place for Wolves over sensitivity concerns in 2019.[9]

Controversies in fiction and non-fiction

Following the controversy over the book American Dirt in 2020, debate over the use of sensitivity readers intensified including in the UK.[10] Lionel Shriver[11] accused sensitivity readers of being censorious, of being "new moral gatekeepers" or of offering a way to "cancel-proof your book".[12][13] Writer Anthony Horowitz[14] wrote about his 'clash' with 'very sensitive' sensitivity readers.

In non-fiction, Kate Clanchy broke with her publisher Picador after controversy surrounding her memoir. In 2022 Clanchy wrote an essay expressing her concerns that her sensitivity readers seemed 'to concur that the past should match an idealised present', and to imply that writing, 'should represent the world as it ought to be, not as it is.' Further, Clanchy stated that the readers did not recognise irony and satire and wished 'to eliminate journeys of thought across chapters, ambiguity from paragraphs, and nuance from sentences'.[15] Clanchy's essay together with others has continued to be discussed internationally in the following years.[16][17][18][19]

Revisions of previously published works

In addition to new works, publishers have also used sensitivity readers to flag content perceived as offensive in previously published works, such as outdated attitudes towards race or gender. This has affected prominent authors and their works, such as Agatha Christie[20][21][22] and PG Wodehouse.[23] In 2023 these revisions gave rise to paritcular controversy.

Ian Fleming

In 2023 Ian Fleming's James Bond series was re-published with a number of racial slurs and references removed, alongside with some disparagements of women and homosexuality.[24] A disclaimer in each book stated "This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace. A number of updates have been made in this edition, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period in which it is set."[25][24]

Roald Dahl

New editions of Roald Dahl's children's novels published by Puffin Books, a division of Penguin Books, changed some of Dahl's language [26] in line with recommendations by sensitivity readers.[27] The decision was met with criticism from groups and public figures including the CEO of PEN America, Salman Rushdie, Brian Cox, Rishi Sunak, and Kemi Badenoch.[28][29][30] Consequently, Puffin announced that it would also continue to sell the original, unaltered editions of Roald Dahl's children's novels, under the title The Roald Dahl Classic Collection.[31][32]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Writing, Editing, and Publishing Indigenous Stories". Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: University of Alberta. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  2. ↑ Hucal, Sarah (23 February 2023). "Roald Dahl's works and the role of sensitivity readers". DW News. Berlin, Germany: Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023. In short, sensitivity readers are hired by publishing houses to read for offensive content, misrepresentation, stereotypes, bias and lack of understanding of minority groups.
  3. ↑ "Publishers defend sensitivity readers as vital tool following author criticism". The Bookseller. London, England: The Stage Media Company. 20 June 2022. ISSN 0006-7539. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  4. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/mar/15/sensitivity-readers-what-publishings-most-polarising-role-is-really-about
  5. ↑ Alter, Alexandra (24 December 2017). "In an Era of Online Outrage, Do Sensitivity Readers Result in Better Books, or Censorship?". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Benedictus, Leo (15 June 2019). "Torn apart: the vicious war over young adult books". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Heller, Nathan (23 October 2017). "Kirkus Reviews and the Plight of the "Problematic" Book Review". The New Yorker. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  8. ↑ Alter, Alexandra (29 April 2019). "She Pulled Her Debut Book When Critics Found It Racist. Now She Plans to Publish". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  9. ↑ Senior, Jennifer (8 March 2019). "Opinion | Teen Fiction and the Perils of Cancel Culture". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  10. ↑ Urwin, Rosamund (28 December 2023). "Is the rise of sensitivity readers progress or censorship?". Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  11. ↑ Shriver, Lionel (February 2023). "What if 'sensitivity readers' came for my novels?". www.spiked-online.com. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Dubno, Zoe (10 July 2021). "The rise of the 'sensitivity reader'". The Spectator. London, England: Press Holdings. ISSN 0038-6952. OCLC 1766325. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  13. ↑ Rosenfield, Kat (August 2022). "Sensitivity Readers Are the New Literary Gatekeepers". Reason. No. August/September 2022. Los Angeles, California, USA: Reason Foundation. OCLC 818916200. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  14. ↑ Horowitz, Anthony (1 February 2023). "My clash with 'sensitivity readers'". The Spectator. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Clanchy, Kate (18 February 2022). "How sensitivity readers corrupt literature". UnHerd. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  16. ↑ Abrams, Rebecca (25 March 2022). "Sense and sensitivity: why books need to unsettle us". Financial Times. Financial Times. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  17. ↑ Adorney, Jonathon (17 November 2023). "Is Disney's new movie Wish a 'woke' disaster?". Restoring America. Washington Examiner.
  18. ↑ Vegard Hagesæther, Per (23 April 2023). "Publishing's Maligned Helpers". www.aftenposten.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). AftenP{osten. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  19. ↑ Goldszal, Clémentine (29 January 2023). "The rise of sensitivity readers in the literary world: A sign of inclusivity or a threat to free speech?". Le Monde.fr. Le Monde.
  20. ↑ Simpson, Craig (25 March 2023). "Agatha Christie classics latest to be rewritten for modern sensitivities". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  21. ↑ Nugent, Annabel (26 March 2023). "Agatha Christie books, including Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries, to be rewritten for modern sensitivities". The Independent. Longon, England. ISSN 1741-9743. OCLC 185201487. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  22. ↑ Hall, Rachel (26 March 2023). "Agatha Christie novels reworked to remove potentially offensive language". The Guardian. London, England. ISSN 1756-3224. OCLC 60623878. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  23. ↑ Simpson, Craig (15 April 2023). "Jeeves and Wooster stories censored to avoid offending modern readers". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  24. 1 2 Simpson, Craig (25 February 2023). "James Bond books edited to remove racist references". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023. Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, the company that owns the literary rights to the author's work, commissioned a review by sensitivity readers of the classic texts under its control.
  25. ↑ Haring, Bruce (26 February 2023). "James Bond Books Edited To Avoid Offense To Modern Audiences – Report". Deadline. USA: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  26. ↑ Kirka, Danica (19 February 2023). "Critics reject changes to Roald Dahl books as censorship". AP NEWS. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  27. ↑ Ellery, Ben (25 February 2023). "Inside the group of 'inclusion ambassadors' behind Roald Dahl edits". The Times. London, England. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  28. ↑ Dellatto, Marisa (20 February 2023). "Roald Dahl Books Get New Edits—And Critics Cry Censorship: The Controversy Surrounding 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' And More". Forbes. Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. ISSN 0015-6914. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  29. ↑ Zymeri, Jeff (21 February 2023). "Salman Rushdie Blasts 'Absurd' Censorship of Roald Dahl". National Review. New York City, NY, USA: National Review, Inc. ISSN 0028-0038. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  30. ↑ Honeycombe-Foster, Matt; Blanchard, Jack (21 February 2023). "UK's Badenoch slams 'problematic' rewrites of classic Roald Dahl books". Politico. Arlington County, Virginia, USA: Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  31. ↑ Abramovitch, Seth (24 February 2023). "Roald Dahl Publisher Bends to Controversy, Will Release "Classic" Version of Controversial Kids' Books". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California, USA: Eldridge Industries. ISSN 0018-3660. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  32. ↑ "Roald Dahl rewrites: edited language in books criticised as 'absurd censorship'". The Guardian. London, England. Associated Press. 19 February 2023. ISSN 1756-3224. OCLC 60623878. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
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