I read some of the first Ender books, and quite enjoyed them, but when I learned of Card's personal beliefs I can't bring myself to touch the unread Ender-verse books sitting on my shelf. I feel I should get rid of them, but I enjoyed the stories I've read so far so much, I keep them in the vain hope that Card will come around on some of his hateful ideas.
I seem to recall we discussed something similar around here sometime last year. And there were others that I agreed with that posted that they could deal with an author being prickly, or even a jerk sometimes, but to hold such a narrowminded view (especially being a science fiction author), is just too much.
I don't think it's a very good idea to allow one's opinion of an author to influence one's opinion of their work. If I thought like that I'd never touch anything by Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, Lovecraft or Jeffrey Archer. All have something about them that I, personally, find highly objectionable, but all of them have written at least one very good book that I really enjoyed.
As for OSC's opinions on homosexuality; I certainly don't agree with his position (quite the opposite) but I make a point not to allow myself to be offended by a person's opinion, especially when it seems to stem from equal parts religious indoctrination and wilful ignorance. Nothing is ever gained by ridicule save mutual animosity, better I think to resort to intelligent, reasoned argument and debate. Having said that, from what I've read in his stories, the man seems pretty open minded compared to most religious types I've encountered, so if *that* is his only sticking point, I think he could be doing a lot worse.
Do I like what he says? No. Not even slightly, but it's his right to express his opinions, whatever they may be and personally, I'm glad we all here have that right.
Oh, and that article that claims Ender's Game was about Hitler being forgiven for the holocaust, is a steaming pile of dingoes kidneys.
Speaking as someone who's only recently discovered OSC I thought Ender's Game was good, Ender's Shadow was much better (Bean is a much more interesting character IMO)
Ender's Shadow is also a great book (right up there with Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead). He did an amazing job creating a parallel storyline.
I honestly don't enjoy Bean's story as much as I did Ender's, but "Ender's Shadow" is still quite good. I love all the books in both the Ender and Bean sagas.
I guess I just have more of an appreciation for the underdog. Granted Bean is as inherently "special" as Ender (perhaps more so) but he had to literally claw his way out of the gutter, fighting all the way. The most Ender had to deal with is a couple of bullies...and a psychotic older brother. OK, maybe not so easy, but at least Bean didn't have as much of a martyr complex. Seriously, you'd think Ender spent half the book with stigmata, dragging a literal cross around the whole time.
Speaking of Peter, was anyone else bothered by the way Peter went from a grade-A nutcase who tortures small animals into a completely stable and constructive member of society. I guess I have a hard time buying that such deep emotional issues could simply work themselves out over time.
