01-04-2011, 08:17 AM | #16 |
Grand Sorcerer
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This is exactly why I make it a point of knowing absolutely nothing personal about my favorite authors. I have such a perfect relationship with them now... why would I take a chance on screwing that up by bringing religion, politics, et al into the equation?
I don't want to be influenced by anything other than the words on the 'page.' |
01-04-2011, 08:40 AM | #17 | |
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http://www.ornery.org/essays/2004-03-26-1.html As far as Card being Libertarian at all, this collection of essays has plenty of evidence to the contrary: http://www.ornery.org/essays/warwatch/index.html With that posted, this is as close to discussing politics as I ever plan to do here. ...I'd rather be making friends. |
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01-04-2011, 10:55 AM | #18 |
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I guess I fall into the catagory of people that says if I can't see it in the books I am reading then I am not worried about a persons opinions.
I read the Golden Compass not knowing about the controversy behind the books and went "Wohooo talk about Catholic bashing" and went online to find that my thoughts about the books were shared by many. I have not bought any more books by that author because I did not care for the book based on the message I took from the book. I stopped reading Tom Clancy when his becomes became a vehicle to lecture about his political beliefs on a regular basis instead of the occassional opinion of his characters. It became too much for me. I have never noticed any over the top religious or political bent to Card's books. Of course there are lessons and messages there but for the most part he lets me draw out of the books what I want and does not chastise me through his characters. That is what is important for me. I do understand the desire to boycott a certain author or actor or artist because of their political or social views. There is plenty out there for folks to read, there is no reason to read something that you find unappealing for whatever reason. |
01-04-2011, 11:48 AM | #19 | |
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As with his books, I just "resonate" with OSC's thinking. Lee |
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01-04-2011, 11:51 AM | #20 |
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I'm another one for the viewpoint that an author is free to hold whatever personal views they wish; I don't go in for the idea of "thought crime". I may vehemently disagree with their views, but I absolutely defend their right to hold them.
I'll judge an author solely on the quality of their books. |
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01-04-2011, 11:53 AM | #21 |
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As has been said, "The Lost Boys" is where the Mormon stuff comes to the fore. I found it very interesting; the Mormon church isn't very big in the UK, and I found it interesting to read about their lifestyle. I'd recommend the book.
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01-04-2011, 12:12 PM | #22 |
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As a kid, I used to read a lot of L. Ron Hubbard's sci-fi (Battlefield Earth and the Mission Earth series). I actually regret that I gave any money to that man. Scientology's rejection of psychiatry, specifically, makes me want to vomit with rage.
I totally understand and support someone who separates a writer's religious beliefs from their writings, but with Hubbard, I can't do that, because he used the writings to fund the cult he formed, and from what I've read, he did so knowingly scamming people. Not only did he take a lot of people's money, but his views on psychiatry cause people not to seek legitimate treatments. |
01-04-2011, 07:05 PM | #23 | |
cacoethes scribendi
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It's naive to expect that an author's beliefs will not effect their writing in any way (for example it seems unlikely that Orson Scott Card is going to have gay heroes) but I do not think that that necessarily excludes them from being able to produce very good novels (sexual preference, for example, is largely irrelevant to a great many stories). To exclude an author because of something they've said outside their novels seems a bit ... extreme. One of my favourite authors, Richard North Patterson (contemporary fiction), once said flattering things about a certain President - but that hasn't stopped me reading and enjoying his books (of course, his writing has fairly obvious political bents the other way, so I guess that helps). There is always the argument that the assumptions in the writing may say something insidious of themselves - this is a complaint I've seen of the Twilight books, for example. I think the argument is valid, but I also think it is unavoidable unless the books is going to be completely bland. A book that contains assumptions affirmative of gay rights is making as much of a statement as a book that contains assumptions to the contrary. Note that it can also be a mistake to assume that the assumptions implicit in a story are what the writer believes, some take delight in arguing contrary to their own beliefs, and some like to include certain things for their shock-value - something to make the book stand-out. I've never seen anything in any of Orson Scott Card's novels to complain about with regard to this topic. |
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01-05-2011, 02:58 AM | #24 | ||
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01-05-2011, 03:09 AM | #25 |
cacoethes scribendi
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I have read it, but a long time ago now. I remember enjoying it but not much more ... but it's still on the shelf, could be time to take it down for a re-read.
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01-10-2011, 02:48 AM | #26 |
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01-10-2011, 05:15 AM | #27 | |
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I tend to agree that an author should be judged, as an author, on his books. I also agree that authors, as any human beings, are allowed to hold any opinion they want to. So am I, and if I think someone's opinions are stupid and morally wrong, I also have a right to voice that opinion, just as he has a right to voice his. I've never read any of OSC's books, so I don't have an opinion on that. I agree that he has a right to his own opinions on sex. I also have a right to consider him a prick, if indeed he is "vehemently homophobic". I certainly don't think his books should be banned and I may even read one of them some day, but I still have a right to my opinions about his opinions. |
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01-10-2011, 11:42 AM | #28 |
Cannon Fodder
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I liked Enders Game.
I remember reading one other book by Orson Scott Card. I'm not sure of the title or series, (Alvin Maker perhaps), but the main character crosses a stream and his genetic make up is changed in the process. It sounded like an allegory for baptism. There were several other similar passages in the book that had religious symbolism. I was turned off enough that I haven't read anything by Orson Scott Card since. |
01-10-2011, 03:53 PM | #29 | |
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For what it's worth, here's the wikipedia page. Last edited by queentess; 01-10-2011 at 03:56 PM. |
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01-10-2011, 04:10 PM | #30 |
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I took AP English in High School and passed the AP Exam but I have no idea how. I always miss the symbolism and metaphors in books unless they are really, really obvious. For example, I read the Narnia Chronicles as a kid and had no idea that they were religious in nature. Heck, re-reading them as an adult I tended to miss the symbolism. So I miss most of what is in Card's novels.
Then again, I fully understood what wash happening in the Golden Compass. |
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