Quote:
Originally Posted by pwalker8
To a great extent, it does enhance those specific books for his intended audience. Keep in mind that the books you refer to are in a specific genre and frankly boarders on spoofing the genre. It's an over the top version of movies such as Delta Force and Rambo. I don't care for them myself, but I do like a lot of Ringo's early works and the works he co-authored with Weber.
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The Kildar is by intent and design meant to be distateful. (He is a self-described rapist-wannabe, after all.) He is neither polite nor politically correct; he is merely (cartoonishly) effective and useful in a world of terrorrists and rogue states.
Ringo is on the record as being surprised that the PALADIN OF SHADOWS stories proved popular as he was looking to push the anti-hero envelope beyond acceptable bounds. And discovered the bounds were far beyond where he thought they were. For every person offended by the character there are a dozen perfectly willing to go along for the ride to see despicable villains get their just desserts.
People unwilling to accept that the same person who writes despicable characters or offensive stories can write other, sympathetic characters are entitled to their pre-judgement, but they might be missing out on a lot of good stories. Like passing on Stirling's NANTUCKET TRILOGY because he also wrote Drakas, or most of Piers Anthony's works because he wrote the BARN, or Heinlein because of Farnham's Freehold, Bester because of Gully Foyle the rapist...
Me, I like that SF explores ideas--including distasteful, offensive ideas. Especially when explored by knowledgeable, competent writers familiar with cultures and subcultures beyond my normal world. I'm willing to face some discomfort just for the possibility of learning something new, dealing with new ideas. Or a fun, amusing ride.
So far, the DARK TIDE RISING series has delivered for me. If they do an eARC for volume 3, I probably will bite on it.
Others can make up their own minds.