The Canadian literary world has been thrown into a tailspin by the revelation that Alice Munro — one of Canada’s most venerated writers — stayed with her second husband after she learned that he had sexually abused her daughter.

It has reignited a debate over to what extent an artist can be, or indeed should be, separated from their body of work. Fans and admirers of various media have struggled with that debate, from those who venerate predatory rock stars, comedians or indie musicians, to those who still find escape in the writing of child abusers.