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The most off-topic WCDT discussion ever
Storel:
--- Quote from: DSL on 13 May 2013, 17:51 ---First I heard of Card was his short story "Unaccompanied Sonata," which left me profoundly sad -- as I think it would anyone of any even remotely artistic bent.
--- End quote ---
The first story of his I ever read was "Mikal's Songbird," published in 1978, and it was beautiful and sad. I read "Unaccompanied Sonata" a year later and it was even sadder, yet still beautiful. I felt that Card would definitely be an author to watch out for.
Intriguingly, one of the major aspects of "Mikal's Songbird" was a loving relationship between an adult man and a 15-year-old boy. This relationship was presented as something the people of that time and place considered perfectly natural and normal, nothing that would cause any shame to anyone involved.
I still have trouble understanding how the man who wrote that story could express the anti-homosexuality feelings that he has revealed in his non-fiction writings since then. As far as I know he's never put any such views into any of his fiction, though I haven't read much of his more recent fiction. In general I think Card is better at writing short stories than novels (the original short-story of "Ender's Game" was incredible, with a huge emotional impact compared to the novel), but he seems to have stopped writing short stories (more money in novels). I also feel that his writing has declined -- I don't think his later novels have been as good as his earlier ones. So he's not an author I really think about much any more...
jmucchiello:
--- Quote from: mtmerrick on 09 May 2013, 15:54 ---This further goes to back of my theory that phonics in English is a load of bullshit and should not be taught to impressionable children.
--- End quote ---
My mother was schooled in the 50s and never encounter phonics until I went to grade school in the 70s. She can pronounce a word she's never seen before to save her life. Words are just collections of letters for here with no rhyme or reason. 'b' does NOT make a 'buh' sound for her. It is annoying. So please reevaluate your theory that phonics should not be taught.
EDIT: OTOH, my son learning phonics is a nightmare. I don't like how the lessons are presented.
Redball:
My wife taught English in Detroit high schools, and midway through earned a master's in reading. That university, Oakland, north of Detroit, taught whole-language reading. After she retired, she taught several years at a K-8 charter school out in Hillsdale. It was phonics-based. Clara had been strongly anti-phonics from her graduate school classes, but turned to appreciate both. She recognized, IIRC, that knowledge of both was needed to reach students because students learn differently.
jmucchiello:
Ender's Game is famous because it is a story about a smart boy that young readers seem to identify with. I don't know anyone who read the book after they turned 20 who think it is a good book and too many people who read it when they were younger who think it is a good book.
HeavyP:
--- Quote from: jmucchiello on 15 May 2013, 10:48 ---Ender's Game is famous because it is a story about a smart boy that young readers seem to identify with. I don't know anyone who read the book after they turned 20 who think it is a good book and too many people who read it when they were younger who think it is a good book.
--- End quote ---
Hi. I was over 20 when I read it, and I think it's an amazing book. I have a number of friends who I've introduced to it, all of whom are over 20 and all of whom have enjoyed it a great deal. I also know several who read it as children and re-read it every few years (which I do as well).
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