Read on Twitter
A short story about John Boyne in tweets...
Once upon a time there was an Irish writer called John Boyne who wrote a book called âThe Boy In The Striped Pyjamasâ. It was very successful, bringing John fame and lots of money...
Once upon a time there was an Irish writer called John Boyne who wrote a book called âThe Boy In The Striped Pyjamasâ. It was very successful, bringing John fame and lots of money...
John Boyne is now worth $10 million (nearly ÂŁ8 million)
As well as money, over the years he has amounted a lot of awards, influence and access to privileged platforms and people.
When he speaks or writes, people listen. In other words, he has power.
As well as money, over the years he has amounted a lot of awards, influence and access to privileged platforms and people.
When he speaks or writes, people listen. In other words, he has power.
Skip to April 2019 and John Boyne released his book âMy Brotherâs Name Is Jessicaâ - A story about a transgender girl.
The book was not received at all well by the trans community. From the misgendering on the cover, to the problematic treatment of the trans character...
The book was not received at all well by the trans community. From the misgendering on the cover, to the problematic treatment of the trans character...
One polite, but damning, review of John Boyneâs book âMy Brotherâs Name is Jessicaâ was this one by trans author @JayHulmePoet
There is no abuse, just a detailed critique of the books problematic coverage of trans issues... https://twitter.com/jayhulmepoet/status/1117820011014389761
There is no abuse, just a detailed critique of the books problematic coverage of trans issues... https://twitter.com/jayhulmepoet/status/1117820011014389761
This review of John Boynes book âMy Brotherâs Name is Jessicaâ also critiques in detail some of the many issues with the story, and why it is considered transphobic and damaging to transgender people... https://bookriot.com/an-open-letter-to-john-boyne-in-response-to-his-transphobic-statements/
On releasing âMy Brotherâs Name Is Jessicaâ John Boyne also penned an article in The Irish Times: âWhy I support trans rights but reject the word âcisââ
This made clear, that while he might call himself a âtrans supporterâ, his words and actions werenât.. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/john-boyne-why-i-support-trans-rights-but-reject-the-word-cis-1.3843005?mode=amp
This made clear, that while he might call himself a âtrans supporterâ, his words and actions werenât.. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/john-boyne-why-i-support-trans-rights-but-reject-the-word-cis-1.3843005?mode=amp
In addition to many knowledgeable people politely pointing out to John Boyne online the issue with his writing on trans issues, @aoifemrtn wrote this excellent calm and balanced article highlighting why John Boyneâs book and article were problematic... https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/whether-john-boyne-likes-it-or-not-he-is-a-cis-man-with-cis-privilege-1.3860808
âInclusive Mindsâ, who John Boyne cited in his Irish Times article as if they had provided an âendorsementâ for his book âMy Brotherâs Name is Jessicaâ confirmed in a statement that they definitely hadnât... https://twitter.com/inclusiveminds/status/1118535737484378114
That didnât stop John Boyne sending a letter to @aoifemrtn, who had written the polite rebuttal to his claims; stating that he would âprotect his reputation by any means necessaryâ
Coming from a multi-millionaire with a privileged platform, it wasnât to be sniffed at!... https://twitter.com/aoifemrtn/status/1207761530625953804
Coming from a multi-millionaire with a privileged platform, it wasnât to be sniffed at!... https://twitter.com/aoifemrtn/status/1207761530625953804
In response to many, almost entirely moderate and calm tweets, that John Boyne has received, politely critiquing his stance on trans issues - he deleted his Twitter account.
He then went to the press claiming he was âabusedâ!... https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/john-boyne-twitter-trans-novel-jessica-cis-controversy-a8872766.html
He then went to the press claiming he was âabusedâ!... https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/john-boyne-twitter-trans-novel-jessica-cis-controversy-a8872766.html
John Boyne also claimed he had been âboycottâ by âtrans activistsâ based on one individualâs tweet, that nobody responded to, but that helped paint himself (the multimillionaire author with influence and access to the media) as the âvictimâ... https://www.irishpost.com/news/transgender-activists-call-boycott-irish-author-john-boyne-offensive-new-book-166003
Following John Boyneâs disappearance from Twitter @AidanCTweets wrote this twitter thread detailing his actions.
No national media platform was reporting the truth, so it was dependent on small twitter accounts to put the story straight... https://web.archive.org/web/20200719123049/https://threader.app/thread/1134728748593483776
No national media platform was reporting the truth, so it was dependent on small twitter accounts to put the story straight... https://web.archive.org/web/20200719123049/https://threader.app/thread/1134728748593483776
John Boyneâs self-imposed âTwitter exileâ only lasted a couple of weeks. Upon returning, he wiped his twitter history, with only the news headlines he had carefully curated left behind to tell his (one sided) story.
You would have thought he would have left it there, but no...
You would have thought he would have left it there, but no...
Whether incensed by tweets from the trans community (including many by Aidan) holding him accountable for his comments on trans issues, or a need to clear his conscience / name, John dug his heels in, and doubled-down on his position...
Now, John Boyne was not only being criticised by the trans community for his insensitive portrayal of trans people in his book âMy Brotherâs Name is Jessicaâ, The Holocaust Museum also stated âThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamasâ âshould be avoided!â... https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/07/john-boyne-defends-work-from-criticism-by-auschwitz-memorial
Getting into an online twitter spat with the @AuschwitzMuseum was probably not the best look for John Boyne. However, unlike the trans community, who have no influence or power, the museum commands respect... Maybe this is why John walked away?... https://lithub.com/irish-writer-gets-into-twitter-fight-with-the-auschwitz-memorial-museum/
In opposition to his advice to âNOT write about what you knowâ John Boyne turned his energy to writing about his online spats - Singling out one of his main detractors, @AidanCTweets, and allegedly including him as an unflattering character in his new book...
That John Boyne chose to write an unflattering character of âAidanâ at the same time @AidanCTweets was criticising him for his transphobia, will likely be passed-off as âcoincidenceâ by the author. Others have alleged it is sophisticated online trollingâ. Who knows?...
What we do know is that @AidanCTweets tweeted a carefully worded apology to John Boyne two days ago.
We know that John Boyne is rich, has access to expensive lawyers, likes to control the public narrative about himself, and likes to send letters... https://twitter.com/aidanctweets/status/1283793914416312325
We know that John Boyne is rich, has access to expensive lawyers, likes to control the public narrative about himself, and likes to send letters... https://twitter.com/aidanctweets/status/1283793914416312325
Despite a book written by John Boyle (due for release next year) including a character allegedly based on @AidanCTweets, Aidan canât now talk about it, or refute any inferences about his character, as he has confirmed he is (legally unable?) to tweet about John or his work!... https://twitter.com/AidanCTweets/status/1283793919302565888
We also know that anti-slapp laws are rubbish in Ireland
[Slapp laws basically allow those with money and resources to threaten legal action against those who criticise them - having a chilling impact on freedom of speech] https://ifex.org/rights-groups-demand-an-eu-wide-anti-slapp-directive/
[Slapp laws basically allow those with money and resources to threaten legal action against those who criticise them - having a chilling impact on freedom of speech] https://ifex.org/rights-groups-demand-an-eu-wide-anti-slapp-directive/
Interestingly, John Boyne spoke out in support of the recent Harperâs letter calling for âfree speechâ and the end of #CancelCulture
(This was also signed by some individuals who have been accused of transphobia, including JK Rowling)
(This was also signed by some individuals who have been accused of transphobia, including JK Rowling)
Strangely, The Times decided to publish an article about this non-story.
This is the equivalent of a big twitter account âquote tweetingâ a small one as a laser-target to their followers, in an attempt to intimidate.
Not so strange given The Times history with trans issues?
This is the equivalent of a big twitter account âquote tweetingâ a small one as a laser-target to their followers, in an attempt to intimidate.
Not so strange given The Times history with trans issues?
Of course, no news media will report on this through fear of libel action, and if you google âJohn Boyneâ all youâll see is the positive PR.
The only sign of this story or the response of feeling, is by searching #JohnBoyneIsTransphobic on Twitter
The End.
The only sign of this story or the response of feeling, is by searching #JohnBoyneIsTransphobic on Twitter
The End.
Postscript: Well thatâs no surprise... 
