Orson Scott Card has jumped the shark

[Nictuku]

I have bought and read most sci-fi books by this author, and have been a huge fan. Up until now.

I discovered Orson Scott Card's political views some time ago. While I was disappointed, I just shrugged my shoulders and said to myself: "He is still a good author, it makes no difference, to each his own. I still enjoy his writing and his stories."

But now.. I have just started reading this new book "The Gate Thief" (Mither Mages', which is book 2 of a series. I enjoyed the first book, and I pre-ordered this, the 2nd book which just came out... and barely 10% into the book I read something in dialogue, that is supposed to be .... funny?

Why inject current political views into a Fantasy Sci-Fi book?

I read this dialogue from the main character and it make me feel sick to my stomach:"I'm President Obama's love child with a Chicago waitress. I'm actually black, but I act super white and it fools everyone."

Seriously? WTF? You have lost a fan OSC. Shame on you for injecting your political views into your sci-fi stories.

I read sci-fi and fiction and fantasy to get away from politics and hateful people. I don't even know if I can read any more of this book, it has upset me so much. It makes me feel sick to think about it.

[MineralMan]

1. Orson Scott Card IS the shark. nt

[Nictuku]

2. I feel physically ill

.... it is really weird how upsetting this is to me. I actually feel physically ill. My stomach actually hurts.

[Fumesucker]

3. I have no mouth

And I must puke

[Richardo]

28. I have a mouth and I must LOL

[Dawson Leery]

4. Here are his political views:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orson_Scott_Card#Personal_views

"Card has publicly declared his disapproval of homosexuality and of gay marriage. In 1990, Card called for laws that ban consensual homosexual acts to "remain on the books, not to be indiscriminately enforced against anyone who happens to be caught violating them, but to be used when necessary to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society's regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society." He no longer advocates this, and says that the 1990 stance must be seen in the context of the times (such laws were still deemed constitutional at the time) and the conservative Mormon audience to whom his essay was addressed.[31]

In 2008, Card wrote that "[t]here is no branch of government with the authority to redefine marriage," and indicated that a revolution would be appropriate if gay marriage became law. He said:

Because when government is the enemy of marriage, then the people who are actually creating successful marriages have no choice but to change governments, by whatever means is made possible or necessary. . . .

How long before married people answer the dictators thus: Regardless of law, marriage has only one definition, and any government that attempts to change it is my mortal enemy. I will act to destroy that government and bring it down, so it can be replaced with a government that will respect and support marriage, and help me raise my children in a society where they will expect to marry in their turn"

I have heard of him in passing. Never will I be a fan.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. So you were fine with his being bigoted against millions of good people

but a joke about Obama and that's going too far? Card is a hack, and those of you who thought his writing had previously been free of right wing content are simply not very good readers.
Put that poison down and go read something good.

[Dawson Leery]

6. Several artists who work on the Superman comic

are leaving due to Mr. Card's involvement on the project.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. I am aware of this. He's vexxing the makers of Ender's Game as well

they are trying to distance the film from him, but that's not going to work. I hope the film is an Atlas Shrugged level failure.

[avebury]

27. I was really looking forward to the movie UNTIL I realized

what his political and social view are. Now, I refuse to see it or spend any money on his books.

[Posteritatis]

7. You're just now noticing Card's putting his politics into his work?

He's been increasingly blatant about that for over a decade.

[Nictuku]

10. I guess so

... this is why I rarely post here any more. Nothing like getting dissed for stating a view on a new book. Sorry I didn't realize sooner he was so bigoted. I must be stupid. I never read his Wiki page before, I guess I should have. What a dolt I am.

I'm the one who should be attacked. Right. Kill me now.

I hate DU sometimes.

[Posteritatis]

13. I'm not exactly the one nailing you to the cross here. Get over yourself. (nt)

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Your OP says you knew his politics and did not care.

"I discovered Orson Scott Card's political views some time ago. While I was disappointed, I just shrugged my shoulders and said to myself: "He is still a good author, it makes no difference, to each his own. I still enjoy his writing and his stories."

Ya shrugged and said it makes no difference.

[Nictuku]

23. I also have a lot of right-leaning friends

They are still my friends. We just don't discuss politics. Some of these people I have known for over 40 years.

I read a lot of books (sci-fi/fantasy) and generally don't know or care what their political leanings are. I read fiction for escapism. I'm sure I have read a lot of books written by _gasp_ republicans! OMG! (maybe you would have me burn them instead?)

When I was growing up, someone's political party didn't seem to matter at all. Only in today's sharply divided environment. I would rather find ways to unite us all than divide us further.

I did shrug when I learned of OSC's political leanings, because his political leanings did not seem to enter into the story I was reading. But I can't say the same with what I just read in his newest book. Maybe I don't analyze every word like some seem to think I should. When I read fiction, I read for fun.

Forgive me, I am a sensitive being. Will I get over myself? Maybe. But I am all I've got. It is doubtful that I will ever make my 1000'th post. People here are so damn critical of one another, and frankly, I don't need that kind of input. I've got other problems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. You mean...again

He's done this a few times.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Orson's views are going to sink his mooovie

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/enders-games-orson-scott-cards-422456

[Posteritatis]

14. That thing's been stuck in development for over a decade; it's never coming out. (nt)

[Bluenorthwest]

16. It's done, it comes out Nov 1st, Harrison Ford and the rat Ben Kingsley among others.

Less than 4 months until they have to decide if they use Card at the big fan cons or stow him away and hope to gloss over Card's authorship. It is very unlikely they can get the big names to go out with him or to plug him, perhaps do any press at all. That leaves the kid and Abbie Breslin to do the chore of covering up for the hate monger. Charming scenario Mr Card has produced for people as thanks for making his film after all these years.

[exboyfil]

38. Still can call Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

to plug the fan base (I still want to see Puppeteers and Moties on the big screen).

Ender's Game is still a superior work besides what has come since. I hope the movie lives up to the book. As far as the rest besides rereading Ender's Game a couple of years ago, it has been at least five years since I read a Card novel.

[still_one]

17. At least Stephen King lets people know if he is going to take a political

Stand in his writings

For the most part he does not aspartame of the story

[SidDithers]

21. "For the most part he does not aspartame of the story"...

Damn you autocorrect!!

Sid

[still_one]

33. Isn't that the truth, of course it is valid that artificial sweetener are usually not part of King's

stories, however the point I was trying to make was that he usually doesn't let his personal politics get involved in the stories themselves. Still wondering how aspartame go into that, and just thankful that auto-correct wasn't worse than that

[Luminous Animal]

18. It's that one drop of blood thing. Not only disturbing politically..

but it shows the author is a racist.

[GiveMeFreedom]

19. Is Orson scott Card

a Mormon?

[edhopper]

43. Yes

His Homecoming Saga series is based on the Book of Mormon.

I met him once and had a nice little chat about this series
I didn't know at the time that his views were actually so repugnant.

[CrispyQ]

20. So don't read that book. Or others that offend you.

I don't care what anyone says about OSC, I will always love "Ender's Game" & "Speaker for the Dead." Speaker, especially, resonates.

I'm sorry he went where he went, but that doesn't diminish his previous works. In light of the Drone Wars, we would be wise to re-visit Ender & Speaker.

[ZRT2209]

22. Years ago I pulled his book from our shelves and trashed them

not recycle - not Goodwill - refuse.

[General Zod]

24. He's Always Been a Huge Asshole

I live in Greensboro, the same city as Card does, and he's been a dick for as long as I've known of him. He used to write a weekly column for our local reich-wing scandal sheet "The Rhinoceros Times," called "Civilization Watch." In it, he bashed Liberals, Clinton, Obama, Gays, Progressives, Environmentalists, Anti-war protestors, The Liberal Media, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Kerry, Feminists, Democrats, Jimmy Carter, Hollywood, Marriage Equality Proponents, Unions, etc. Basically anyone to the left of Attila The Hun.

He claims he's a Democrat, but he spews nothing but right wing venom towards anyone he disagrees with, and totes the far right line on most subjects. He was a huge proponent for the invasion of Iraq and last year he was one of the leading voices advocating for the hideous Amendment One, which limited marriage in North Carolina between one man and one woman and enshrined bigotry in our constitution.


As for his fiction I've always thought that "Ender's Game" was way overrated and nothing but one long apology for genocide.

[Ron Obvious]

25. A question from somone who's never read Card...

I've never read Card (lots of other SF, though), and I'm aware of the man's political views.

But are you upset over something he put in the mouth of one of his characters? Or is it because the character is the obvious 'good guy' in the novel that we are supposed to empathise with?

If it's the latter, I can relate. I can't take Dean Koontz anymore, at least in part because of all the Libertarian crap. I used to consider them perfect novels to read on the plane, but no more.

Otherwise, I couldn't care less about the political views or private lives of the authors.

[PDJane]

26. Koontz has gotten impossible for me to read,

Between the libertarian crap and the heavy religious stuff, I can't stand it. The last books of his I started to read were given to me; hated them so badly I threw them in the recycle bin.

[olddots]

37. Alot of sci fi writers are libertarion/wing nut ass wipes .

sad but true

[Igel]

30. Some sarcasm isn't funny.

Depends on your POV.

This character is a fairy. Not, that's not homophobic. He can heal people, he can vanish. Magical-type fairy. In context, he's no more Obama's "love child" than any other character and doesn't claim this seriously--that response from him is dripping in sarcasm. He's keeping his actual identity or powers secret. They want him to fess up to what he is and that's the answer.

But given Card's views and the sensitivity involving Obama, the sarcasm falls flat for some readers. Even if the sarcasm isn't directed at the reader.

[Mopar151]

32. I could never take Koontz.

Never knew about his politics - just thought he was a crappy authour.

[MattBaggins]

34. Terry Goodkind

Hate that asshole for the time I wasted on his crap

[abelenkpe]

29. Ah, this must be why my teabagger relatives like him so much

I tried reading Enders game. What a piece of crap. Here I just thought he was a lame author.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

35. Like others in this thread, I always thought Ender's Game was WAY overrated, even long before I knew

the author's politics.

[TlalocW]

31. I've enjoyed the Enders series

I don't care to start any of his other books because my slight OCDish book tendencies make me want to read ALL the Ender-related books, and that dude is pumping that well for all its worth - 16 books and 12 short stories, and I've read them all except for two of the three pre-Formic wars books (like prequels).

I tend to separate an author from his political views. I didn't really notice any overarching political statements in the Ender series, but I guess I could probably pull a few out my ass like I could pull a few liberal ones from them as well if I wanted to fall back into my college days of BSing on English papers.

I tend not to hold up individuals as any kind of heroes. Card's an ass, but he wrote some enjoyable stories. L. Frank Baum gave us one of our most enduring pieces of literature, yet he wrote essays in favor of Native American genocide. I'm sure there are some fantasy, D&D types on here who are big enough nerds like me that they make Cthulhu references that only certain friends get, but Lovecraft was a racist who wrote a poem called, "On the Creation of Niggers." I like Penn and Teller's magic performances as well as a lot of their writings but don't agree with their extreme libertarian views.

That said, if Card can't keep his mouth shut then he'll have to deal with the repercussions. His way of thinking is fast dying out, and I'm sure we're all glad about that.

And as always, I can find a cartoon to fit any subject matter. This one is several strips long so click Next in the links if you're interested.
http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp03132005.shtml

TlalocW

[ismnotwasm]

36. I'm sorry you didn't know

He's been an official nut job for some time now.

[Are_grits_groceries]

39. He shopped in the bookstore where I worked.

He was an arrogant prick!

[melm00se]

40. I know this might offend some people but

while you may (or may not) dislike his books, dismissing them out of hand because of his politics is no different that the right dismissing an artist's work because the artist is gay or black or communist or a woman.

[chervilant]

42. Actually, it is.

I will not read him because he hates; the ones you mentioned won't buy art by blacks, women, etc because they hate.

BIG difference...

[Starry Messenger]

45. Um no.

Being a hate activist is actually not equivalent to any of those things.

[chervilant]

41. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I read the ender's game series (at least, the first three) decades ago, but didn't look for any more of his work because the last book of the three that I read just didn't work for me. I remember thinking how prescient the first book seemed, but I found William Gibson's Mona Lisa Overdrive and moved on.

I'm glad you've made me aware of his history of hate. I won't be watching the movie, nor will I buy any of his books.

[Baitball Blogger]

44. 5th Rec for being brave enough to say "jump the shark" on DU.