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| Controversy Surrounds Millie Bobby Brown's Ghostwriter: A Call for Perspective |
Stranger Things sensation, actress, producer, and Human Services student (yes, you read that right), Millie Bobby Brown, has demonstrated her impressive versatility yet again. One thing she can't do, however, is write a novel. She openly acknowledges this as her debut work, "Nineteen Steps," recently hit the shelves courtesy of HarperCollins.
Millie, known for her all-natural beauty products, joined forces with ghostwriter Kathleen McGurl to weave a tale inspired by her grandmother's wartime experiences. Nanny Ruth, a survivor of the tragic Bethnal Green tube station disaster in 1943, lived through one of the darkest episodes of World War II, where 173 individuals perished while descending what they believed to be the path to safety.
This incident marked the most devastating civilian catastrophe during the Second World War in the UK, and it remains one of the worst tragedies in the history of the London Tube system. While "Nineteen Steps" may not receive rave reviews for its prose, it tells a poignant and lesser-known story that deserves recognition.
However, the book's release sparked controversy on two fronts. On one side, there were critics questioning the authenticity of an authorship where the celebrity doesn't do the writing herself, clinging to the notion that every autobiography should be an unadulterated product of the subject's own words. On the other side, some chastised Brown for not prominently featuring McGurl's name on the book's cover, despite her significant contribution. Brown, in an Instagram post featuring herself, McGurl, and the book, expressed her gratitude to her collaborator.
Ghostwriters are not a novelty in the world of celebrity literature. Music legends Keith Richards and Slash, for instance, enlisted the help of James Fox and Anthony Bozza for their autobiographies, respectively. The backlash faced by YouTuber Zoella for employing ghostwriters for her first novel in 2014 didn't deter her from later publishing two genuinely commendable books under her own name. In contrast, Naomi Campbell's 90s novel "Swan," which she claimed not to have had the time to write, might have been better left unpublished.
McGurl, who is also an accomplished novelist in her own right, was undoubtedly compensated well for her work. She received substantial research material from Millie and her family, as well as numerous ideas. The two collaborators had several Zoom meetings before McGurl submitted her initial draft. They even participated in promotional events together, and Brown publicly acknowledged her contribution.
In essence, this arrangement seems reasonable. The surge in celebrity-authored fiction has actually shed more light on the role of the ghostwriter, a highly demanding job. Crafting a coherent and engaging book from the raw materials of another person's ideas and personality requires a deft hand at structuring and capturing a voice.
In the past, ghostwriters were often dismissed as not being "real" authors. While it's crucial to support and promote the works of traditional authors like Sally Rooney, Paddy and Tom Crewe, and Bernadine Evaristo, there is still room for other types of authors as long as their books offer value to readers.
Critics have gone as far as saying that ghostwritten celebrity novels have damaged both children's and adult literature. Undoubtedly, some poorly written and overly hyped celebrity-authored books exist. However, if publishers maintain perspective and look to long-term success rather than fleeting popularity, celebrity books can introduce reluctant readers to the joy of immersive storytelling. For instance, someone who picks up Brown's "Nineteen Steps" might be inspired to explore more substantial works like Colm Tóibín's "Brooklyn" or Kate Atkinson's "Life After Life."
Millie Brown's celebrity status and vigorous promotion will undoubtedly bring a little-known story to a vast global audience. She has openly recognized and celebrated her collaborator, Kathleen McGurl, whose own book sales are likely to receive a significant boost from the project. This isn't detrimental; it's a part of the diverse publishing landscape. Let's embrace and explore this multifaceted terrain.
In other cultural news:
"Beautiful Thing" at Theatre Royal Stratford East: Remember how homophobic the 1990s were? Jonathan Harvey's groundbreaking play, which I watched recently for the first time, captures the essence of that era. It portrays a gay love story that defies the conventions of trauma and internalized shame. This production runs until October 7 and will be discussed on the Evening Standard Theatre Podcast soon.
"Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta" by James Hannaham: This gripping novel takes readers on a whirlwind journey through the mind of Carlotta, a transgender woman experiencing limited freedom in a transformed Brooklyn after serving over two decades in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Simultaneously humorous, hopeful, and harrowing, this book not only transports you to another place but also immerses you in another person's perspective. It's a must-read.
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