Author John Boyne has defended his decision to write about a transgender boy in his latest book after being slammed by people on social media.
The Dubliner decided to come off Twitter last week after being heavily criticised over his latest novel, My Brother’s Name Is Jessica.
Furious activists hit out at the 47-year-old over his new book about a transgender boy claiming it was ‘misrepresenting’ trans people.
Transgender activists called for people to boycott Mr Boyne’s book after they said he was unqualified to write about the topic because he is not transgender himself.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on RTE Radio One on Wednesday, he said that he was “in a great space” despite the recent controversy.
He said: “I think when you’re in the middle of it feels bigger than it really is. I have only disable it not deactivated it (Twitter).
“It’s not really a row when it’s one sided because one thing that I have always been very clear on twitter about is that I won’t argue with people.
“If people want to debate something, talk about something, I’m happy to do that but if strangers came up to me on the street and all started screaming at me I’m not going to scream back I’m going to walk away.
“It’s faceless, nameless, people online with fake names, fake profiles screaming.”
And he defended his decision to write the book and added: “I want to write serious books for kids that will challenge them.
“I also wanted to write it for all those kids in school who maybe their friends are going through gender identity issues and that they’re confused by or for kids in school who themselves are going through gender identity issues.
“The world is not always an aggressive place, there are allies.”
And The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas author said that a friend of his is currently transitioning from male to female and he has read his book and has no objections to it.
He continued: “You cannot tell authors what to write about. Can you tell criminals only to write about crime.”
