"We hope that Gilbert may change her mind" - PEN America

Writer Elizabeth Gilbert delayed the publication of her book The Snow Forest, set in Siberia. Instead, the American PEN called on "people to rally around the on-time publication of her book, and the principle that literature and creativity must not become a casualty of war".

On 6 June, Gilbert announced that the book would be published in February 2024. However, after a negative reaction from readers in Ukraine, Gilbert cancelled this decision.

"The publication of a novel set in Russia should not be cast as an act exacerbating oppression.  Fiction and culture are essential to supporting mutual understanding and unleashing empathy.  The choice of whether to read Gilbert’s book lies with readers themselves, and those who are troubled by it must be free to voice their views. We hope Gilbert might reconsider," the statement reads.