09-08-2011, 11:21 AM | #1 |
Omnivorous
Posts: 3,281
Karma: 27978909
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Rural NW Oregon
Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1
|
Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card's homophobia has once again caused a major explosion in the online book world.
http://www.metafilter.com/107242/I-d...er-Hamlet-said Multiple interesting links in the comments section. I think I'm done with Mr. Card. |
09-08-2011, 11:26 AM | #2 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 27,546
Karma: 193191846
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
And besides... I hear it doesn't hold a candle to the original, anyway.
EDIT: I admit that I've never read any of Card's work, but I always have to wonder whether his (admitted) opinions on social hot-button topics are really that obvious in his writing... or do people tend to shoe-horn his publicly stated, "real-world" opinions into his fictional work where it otherwise might not exist—without razor-thin analogies and biased analysis? Either way... it's a perfect example of why I try to be as ignorant of authors personal opinions/politics as I can be. If I find something in their writing that doesn't quite sit right with me, I may stop reading, but I prefer to let their "officially" published words rule my opinions. EDIT #2: Scott Lynch, author of The Lies of Locke Lamora (from The Gentlemen Bastards series), chimes in on the subject. Last edited by DiapDealer; 09-08-2011 at 12:00 PM. |
09-08-2011, 12:09 PM | #3 |
Omnivorous
Posts: 3,281
Karma: 27978909
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Rural NW Oregon
Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1
|
|
09-08-2011, 12:19 PM | #4 | |
Kate
Posts: 1,681
Karma: 3165009
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon, United States
Device: Nexus 7 2013, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma
|
Quote:
When Mr. Card's homophobia and racism first reared its head, I was shocked, because, no, it's wasn't apparent in his writing - just the opposite. He's had both homosexual and black characters in the past that are well-drawn and likeable. I've wondered if maybe he doesn't have undiagnosed Alzheimer's, because he seems to have undergone a severe personality change a few years ago. But, yeah, I've been done with him for awhile - I took a vow not to read anymore Card until he finished the Alvin Maker series, but in the meantime he took this mean-spirited turn, so I'm done, too. Sad, because he used to be a terrific writer. |
|
09-08-2011, 12:48 PM | #5 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,230
Karma: 7145404
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+
|
I agree with khalleron. I didn't see much of this in his books. I remember thinking that Lost Boys had less prosletyzing than I expected to see in that story.
I'll have to check out Card's actual text. I see a reactionary screeds and quotes from other writings in the links, not enough detail showing how homophobic this new work is. In a related way, I often don't agree with Dan Simmons' personal opinions but if he leaves them out of the text or is otherwise subtle enough it doesn't bother me. |
09-08-2011, 01:23 PM | #6 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 27,546
Karma: 193191846
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
Quote:
Last edited by DiapDealer; 09-08-2011 at 01:26 PM. |
|
09-08-2011, 02:23 PM | #7 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
I completely disagree with Mr. Card's views on these issues, but I would 100% support his right to have the freedom of speech to say them. Perhaps he is a bigot, but he has the right to be one.
I find his personal views to be distasteful in the extreme, but that won't alter my view that "Ender's Game" is among the finest SF novels ever to be written. Unpleasant people can produce masterpieces. Last edited by HarryT; 09-08-2011 at 02:30 PM. |
09-08-2011, 02:33 PM | #8 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 27,546
Karma: 193191846
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
Quote:
So while I agree that he's free to write it. He should also recognize everyone's right to criticize him for doing so... which he currently doesn't seem willing to do. If you're going to do it... you should own it. |
|
09-08-2011, 02:42 PM | #9 | |
Kate
Posts: 1,681
Karma: 3165009
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon, United States
Device: Nexus 7 2013, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma
|
Quote:
You're protesting something that didn't happen - a waste of energy at best. |
|
09-08-2011, 02:43 PM | #10 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
I have far more of a problem with authors like John Ringo, whose deeply unpleasant personal views are apparent in everything that he writes. Last edited by HarryT; 09-08-2011 at 02:47 PM. |
|
09-08-2011, 02:45 PM | #11 | |
Wizard
Posts: 3,450
Karma: 10484861
Join Date: May 2006
Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20
|
Quote:
If you insist, buy his books second-hand, or borrow them from library, so he doesn't get your hard-earned money. I disagree with his views as well, so what? I do not examine worldviews of the baker that made bread I ate for breakfast. The bread is either good, or it isn't. Period. |
|
09-08-2011, 02:46 PM | #12 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
So what is the story here, Kate? That he holds personal opinions that we disagree with? That's worth talking about? Sorry, but I disagree.
|
09-08-2011, 02:56 PM | #13 |
Omnivorous
Posts: 3,281
Karma: 27978909
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Rural NW Oregon
Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1
|
Most certainly. As a tree-hugging, bleeding-heart liberal, I would be the last to deny someone his right to his opinion. It's also my right to point out his bigotry and deny him the small amount of funds my purchasing his books would have provided.
|
09-08-2011, 02:57 PM | #14 | |
Kate
Posts: 1,681
Karma: 3165009
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon, United States
Device: Nexus 7 2013, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma
|
Quote:
You seem to be saying that Mr. Card has the right to say whatever he wants, but we don't have the right to express disagreement with those views. Or that expressing disagreement with those views is somehow trampling on Mr. Card's freedom of speech. Neither of which is true - if Mr. Card has freedom of speech, so do we. If you're saying that YOU don't think it's worth discussing, fine. Don't discuss it. |
|
09-08-2011, 03:01 PM | #15 |
Omnivorous
Posts: 3,281
Karma: 27978909
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Rural NW Oregon
Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1
|
Bigotry is not worth talking about? Sorry, but I disagree, emphatically. Bigotry, especially from a public figure, needs to be provided as much public discussion as can be provided. Or bigotry continues.
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Orson Scott Card and his Mormonism | leebase | Reading Recommendations | 107 | 11-29-2012 03:50 AM |
Wyrms by Orson Scott Card | leebase | Reading Recommendations | 2 | 05-17-2011 09:31 AM |
Pathfinder - Orson Scott Card | leebase | Reading Recommendations | 2 | 03-01-2011 12:04 PM |
Heartfire - Orson Scott Card | leebase | Reading Recommendations | 0 | 06-24-2010 04:30 PM |
Red Prophet - Orson Scott Card | leebase | Reading Recommendations | 1 | 06-18-2010 10:28 PM |