I appreciate your distinction between honoring the art and honoring the artist. Ideally, the award should do the former and not the latter. And I agree with you about the value of Ender’s Game and Ender’s Shadow (perhaps even more so.) I can walk right up to the line with you, but can’t bring myself to cross it. Here’s why:

I think to myself, if OSC were making these about Blacks, Jews, Women or any other group that has been historically discriminated against in our country, but now enjoy the full benefits of citizenship, would our profession see fit to bestow awards upon his work? My honest answer is no, we wouldn’t. I’m willing to bet that if Mel Gibson tomorrow penned the 21st century equivalent of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, hell would freeze over before he received an award from a library association.

So in an ideal world, I’m with you, let’s honor good art, and the views of the artist be damned. But we don’t live in a compartmentalized world. It’s not an easy call. It’s not a clear line. And I’m not completely comfortable on either side of this issue. But I’m more comfortable with the idea of passing OSC over and giving the Edwards award to someone who is not spouting hateful speech, aimed at demonizing and disenfranchising our fellow human beings.

I agree, but how do you convey that to the general public who may see it as endorsing the author as well? I think one of the best things that has come out of this controversy is the information about OSC’s views and other writings. It’s allowed many to say, “Yes, these are books that deserve the award, even though the author is a ‘heterosexist bigot’ and doesn’t deserve the attention.” Knowledge is power.

I am really unhappy that OSC gets to crow about the award. But the books are incredible.