Read this years ago.* OSC has been one of my favorite authors. But now, I am distressed.A while back, I was confronted by a dilemma with author I had read, and had liked (for that kind of thriller book.) He did something which appalled me, enough so so that I swore I would never buy another of his books again (which was not hard as I don't think I'd ever bought one before. My reads were from the library or given to me.) In fact, I went back and even made an entry in ALL my BookCrossing books saying that I have stopped reading this author as I find him morally reprehensible. Shame really, because I did like some of his works. I added, in my journal entry to each book, "Any future books registered to my BookCrossing shelf will be ones given to me to bookcross. I will not put a dime in his pocket ever again." If you're interested the author was Michael Crichton (and yes, I am aware he died last week, but it still doesn't change things for me) and the explanation of why I was upset with him is here.Well, now, an author who is actually a favorite author of mine is making statements that I also find appalling. And frightening. And somewhat nutso. At least according to Brian Trent of the Independent Examiner. The full commentary is here. (And yes, I realize one of the links points to a 2004 article.)Orson Scott Card, I am deeply disappointed in you.* Note added in 2013, probably some 15 years after I read the book: Another goodreader is distressed that I didn't say why I didn't like the book. Frankly, I don't remember. Best guess? It's billed as horror, and I'm not a fan of that genre. But that's a guess, that's all. Had goodreads existed back when I read the book, I would have used it instead of keeping a list of titles in a notebook, with a personal rating system to record my end reaction to each book. When I joined goodreads, I entered in the books in the notebook so I could keep am electronic record of some of my reading. The world is imperfect. Live with it.
I’ve really liked other works by Card, but Treasure Box was a dreadful disappointment. I rarely don’t finish a book, but I came extremely close to doing so mid-way through. On the surface, it has a good plot. Between the covers, it slugs along slowly before eventually speeding up to a climax, and not a very good one at that. The writing falls short of what I’ve come to like about Card’s writing. It’s considered horror-fantasy, but it’s more like fiction with a few horror and fantasy elements. What humor exists was akin to poor delivery of bad jokes.The story comes off as a soapbox for Card to preach, more so than in anything else I’ve read, including his Biblical fiction Rebekah. Among the anti-homosexuality remarks, Quentin swears to his father he’s not gay. He also makes a big deal about saving sex for when he’s married to the right woman. Adding to the holier-than-thou attitude, while driving during a severe snowstorm, Quentin sees a beacon of light, a brilliantly lit Mormon temple. By the way, Card is a very devout Mormon. That's fine, but the topper is the ignorant attitude towards Paganism. Not only does he group Satanists and Witches together, Card also compares those who Witches hold in their hearts to Hitler. When mentioning the Wicked Witch of the West, there’s no mention of Glenda because there couldn’t possibly be anything good about Witches.Treasure Box left behind such a rancid taste. I usually have a hard time parting with books, but I dumped the preacher’s box as soon as possible. I’ll stick to Card's older sci-fi works. I might also just finish the Ender series and call it quits on Card.
What do You think about Treasure Box (1997)?
Orson Scott Card is one of a handful of authors for whom I consider myself a dedicated fan. I've read, perhaps not most of his books, but a substantial chunk that makes up a representative sampling. So when I saw an unfamiliar Card book sitting on a friends shelf, I was naturally excited to borrow it.This book reminds me quite a bit of Lost Boys. For the vast majority of the book it appears to be about entirely pedestrian people and events that leave you wondering why someone would bother writing a book about them, let alone making them. Then at the end a twist is revealed that I suppose is meant astonish and amaze. Instead it felt rushed and convoluted, not nearly making up for the snooze of the rest of the book.
—Alissa Thorne
I was expecting more from Orson Scott Card. He's usually a great storyteller. I found this story to be lacking, especially at the climax. I wanted to see more from the character and (view spoiler)[I would have liked to see a different kind of power involved with the witches. I would have liked to see a positive female force I was. I felt the females were all either weak in their power, frail, or either just evil. This is a personal preference, I know. Something about the way this book was written, however, just came across arrogant. I'm not sure how else to describe it. Oh yeah, I also thought it was just repulsive that it turned out the little girl was behind it all and that she and Quentin had sex. Uggghhh. (hide spoiler)]
—Morgan
Its hard to write a review of one of Card's books without bringing up his politics, so I'll say upfront that I've met him and I've heard him speak and, yes, he is an egotistical hypocritical Ass. He has also been one of the better science fiction/fantasy writers we have had over the past few decades, producing a number of classic works."The Treasure Box" is not one of them. Aside from some preaching about pre-marital sex, it is difficult for me to believe Card even wrote this uneven and, frankly, boring story. The plot just plods along, every single characters is at once both unrealistic and unlikable.... no easy task. If you want to read a good fantasy book by Card, read "Enchantment". Don't bother to open "The Treasure Box".
—Hal Brodsky
