Last time I was here, I stirred things up a bit by complaining about some of the novels. People told me to read some others. Now I have, and this thread might sound like a dig, but it's not
I've read the first 2.5 of Ender, and I've enjoyed those, though there is a disappointing amount of typos and flaws in the science of the story: they're speaking Portuguese in 5000AD, whereas English had changed into Stark by 2200AD, the Norweigens are still Calvinists (they're not even Calvinist NOW), or the unlikeliness of some of the scientific principles like philotes, or some of the problems of traveling light speed (e.g., the Queen experienced "normal" time, which is scientifically unsound).
BUT, I've read the first seven chapters of Enchantment, and, I must say, I'm quite enchanted! Perhaps Card's style has improved over the years, but I haven't found anything the bugged my scientific or sociological mindset, the story is quite captivating (though I'm often frustrated that it's slow, and I want to know what happens next: is that good or bad?), and the language is well written and without errors. I'm not sure if Card has better proof-readers or if his style is better, but I really like the new novel. Bravo, Mr. Card! (don't spoil anything past chapter 7 for me)
Posts: 11 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Good gravy…… It’s a story. Don’t you have anything better to complain about? Guess what? When you write a story about the future you can decide what the culture is like and what history they have. Go figure. And guess what. When you write a story you can say how things work. Go figure. It’s your story. They frequently talk about Jane being about to do things since she exists outside the object traveling at the speed of light. Gee, I bet that means the same for the queen. I really dislike complainers of one of my favorite authors. I hope you get a lump of coal for Christmas.
Posts: 2845 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Many planets were colonized by relatively homogeneous groups with a definite specific. It's not that all Norwegian descendants are Calvinists in that universe, but the people on that planet are descended from Calvinist Norwegians.
Likewise, it's not too surprising that that they speak Portugese on Lusitania. Heck -- even the name of the planet is harkening back to the ancient days of Portugal's might.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Whatever. I'm not going to let my temper get the best of me and respond, though I almost did. All I can say is that I'm utterly appalled that I came to give praise for a new well liked book, and this is the type of response I get. I would really ask you guys to look at your response to newbies on your site.
posted
Pen, I'm glad you are enjoying Enchantment, which I enjoyed as well. Card's writing style has changed over time, to be sure, which is one thing I appreciate so much about his books; each book is going to provide a new reading experience.
I'm sorry that you were disappointed by some of the science in the Ender books, but there are many science-minded members here that I'm sure would love to discuss some of the scientific principles and ideas in those books.
I hope you continue reading and enjoying OSC's other books. Each one is interesting and special in its own way, which is why I think so many different types of readers are drawn to his books.
Posts: 1256 | Registered: May 2005
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You guys? Are you painting with too broad a stroke (accusing multiple people of Jay's sins), or were you offended by my response?
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Pen Ohmsford: the Norweigens are still Calvinists (they're not even Calvinist NOW
Not the ones who can spell, anyway. Though I grant you, it would be nice to be able to count to twenty-two just by taking your boots off.
Posts: 10645 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Pen, most if not all of us are happy that you're enamoured with Enchantment. But more than half of your original post actually consisted of complaints or criticism about things which most of us consider relatively unimportant. The typos don't really bother us, and we tend to suspend our disbelief a bit when we read science fiction; especially SF that's more about people than machines, as OSC's is. Most of us are here because we love OSC's work.
And KoM is Norwegian himself; which might help to explain his response, at least in part.
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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Pen, I'm glad you like enchantment. However, I think part of why you find it "slow" says more about your attention span and depth of thought than it does about the author's style. You don't seem to read very deeply into things.
Simimlarly, if you sit down to analyse things about OSC's theories in the Ender series, you'll realize that they're just fantasy theories, and since he's made up a whole new kind of physics outside of regular physics, no one can say what rules violate anything else. I would also like to point out that anyone who names himself after a boy who fly's "airships" that look like old fashioned sea ships that go through the air really can't complain much about things being REALISTIC!!!!
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
I'm currently reading Enchantment as well, though I don't know what chapter I'm on (pg 140). One of the things I like most about are the historical/fable aspects of it. I think it's kind of slow as well, but that's only because my attention span has dropped dramatically.
Posts: 2867 | Registered: May 2005
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Sometimes people on Hatrack are a little extra-sensitive to criticism of OSC or his works. You've got to realize that on this forum, the tone of a post is much more important to most of the members than is the content. So if it seems like people are over-reacting to your post, it's likely because they found your tone to be overly antagonistic and mean-spirited, whether or not that was the actual intent of your criticism. It goes with the territory.
I, for one, hope you decide to stick around and add to the discussion. While I disagree strongly with your opinions of Ender's Game, they remain nonetheless valid observations from one reader. You were expecting Card's future to be "realistic" in the sense that it is plausible to you. This leads me to believe that your exposure to science fiction has been more of the "hard sci-fi" rather than the types of stories OSC tells.
Card is first and foremost an storyteller. The worlds he create all have a kind of logic is internally consistent, but may or may not coincide with the world as we know it. He creates his worlds as a tool to advance the story, affecting the choices that the characters will make and (usually) raising the stakes a bit.
Also, IMHO, Enchantment is Card's finest novel, with Pastwatch and Speaker for the Dead coming in a close second.
Posts: 786 | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
OK, thanks for the response everyone. I'm sorry about being overly critical at first; you are right, I should watch how I speak (and how I respond).
Concerning Enchantment: when I said it was slow, I didn't actually meant I thought it was slow. It means I was anxious to see what happens next, which generally is actually a good thing. Although I have been frustrated with a few chapters here and there, beggers can't be choosers, and the overall effect is a fine novel so far. I actually like the historicity of it as well, BTW.
Concerning the Sci-Fi and the Ender series: again, I probably came off wrong. I do not mind suspending some disbelief in favor of a sci-fi universe. However, it didn't seem to line up properly at a few points, and let me explain them: 1. The Queen Hive experienced "normal" time when aboard the fast traveling ship, which slowed down time for its occupants. This is incorrect, because time actually changes when one is going light speed: in fact, the Queen should have experienced time just as Ender did. 2. Concerning languages and religion of the future: I understand OSC is big into religion, so I totally think it's OK. However, one only has to look at the past 3000 years of religious history (or past 100, for that matter) to see that things change very rapidly. And the same goes for language (just try reading the King James Bible from 1607 and you'll see what I mean). I don't mind the religious part, just that no one's religion seemed to change over 3000 years. 3. I have a few other minor issues, but it'd be better not to spend all day on it. Most of the stuff I don't have too big a problem with.
Finally, concerning the typos, I was just a little surprised that such a highly popular set of novels had them. Most high-selling novels have been proofread to death. Oh well.
Thanks for your reply everyone
Posts: 11 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I think minor typos are usually more the fault of the printer or publisher than the author. Different printings of the same book often have different typos (in the same "edition") Occasionally I've even found sentences reworded or left out.
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006
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