After criticism for publishing the book during the conflict in Ukraine, best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert announced she would postpone the release of a new book set in Soviet Russia.
After receiving "disappointment and pain" from readers of her most recent book, The Snow Forest, Ms. Gilbert declared that she is "making a course correction.".
She remarked that the time was not right for the publication of this book.
The book was slated for publication in February 2024.
The Lykov family, who lived in isolation for more than 40 years in the Siberian wilderness, served as the inspiration for the storyline of The Snow Forest. After secluding herself during the pandemic, according to Ms. Gilbert, she was motivated to write the book.
However, Ms. Gilbert claimed that she soon started to receive criticism from some Ukrainian fans after teasing the book's release on her social media platforms.
The release date of February 2024 would fall on the anniversary of the war, according to comments left on her feed. Others compared writing a book "honoring" Russians to "writing a book about valiant Germans in the 1940s.".
Ms. Gilbert said in a statement shared on her social media accounts that she had seen the comments expressing "anger, sorrow, and disappointment" and had made the decision to stop the novel's release as a result.
She said, "I do not want to add any harm to a group of people who have already experienced - and who are all still experiencing - grievous and extreme harm. .
Anyone who pre-ordered the book would be "fully refunded," she assured the audience. " .
Her book Eat, Pray, Love launched her to literary success. Ms. Gilbert's novels frequently center on the internal exploration and growth of her characters. .
She claimed that after postponing The Snow Forest's release, she will now concentrate on other literary endeavors.
