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To: koan who wrote (29624)	1/13/2007 2:07:45 PM
From: LoneClone	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 78419

I did read a few Orson Scott Card books back when he was starting his career, but I can't remember if he was unusual among SF writers in that he could actually create real characters, which is what it generally takes to get me to read fiction these days. I also prefer writers in love with, if not drunk with, the English language, rather than just wordsmiths. I recently picked up a copy of one of Isaac Asimov's Foundation books while waiting around at someone's house and after a few pages I was astounded at how poor a fiction writer he is. He is great with ideas and a pretty good essayist, but he couldn't create a realistic character to save his life. Oh well, it was fine to read when I was a kid. If you want to read a truly mind-blowing book, try out David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest. Since my graduation from SF I have explored most corners of the literary world, and this is truly a one of a kind exploration of ideas and language. I wouldn't recommend reading it during commercials though -- you need to set aside some time and dive right in. Did you know that in Canada 60% of adults have never read a book outside of school, and that 1% of readers read 80% of the books? At least those were the figures last time I checked. LC

To: koan who wrote (29624)	1/14/2007 4:40:24 PM
From: Julian Augustus	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 78419

Has no one on this thread ever read Enders Game? I read it a few years ago, and I agree with you that it is a great read, up to and including the final battle with its surprise twist. However, I didn't particularly believe the switch at the end when he turned the aliens into the good guys and justified their earlier war of aggression against humans as a survival (for the aliens) tactic. As a result, I didn't bother following up on the sequels which seemed to continue that theme.