Only as much as I should know but often many times, looking up the lives of artists only lead to disappointment for their morals and values, and in severe cases their crimes.

Honestly the most I like to go now is the time period and location. Get to know the values of society at the time and the trends in fiction so I get context behind the work. This doesn't necessitate getting to know an author with a shady past.

it's the only show where I felt the need to pause and write down what they just said. The Jonah insults were brutal but so clever. I'd be afraid to enter this room because I feel like I would get roasted

The first paragraph spoils the entire story - but only gives the broad details of a man's unremarkable life. And then immediately flashes back to how William Stoner grew up and lived this life that we're supposed to experience.

Sums it up very well.

> footnotes

So have you ever heard of this guy David Foster Wallace? He might know a thing or two about footnotes.

Characters. The story can have a few holes, a few dull moments, and maybe moments where there are leaps in logic - all these I can forgive as long as the characters are interesting (and in a way, the setting can be a character too if done well)