I got into another heated argument, prompted by a discussion on pretentious, science-fiction literature and their authors. This led to Marion Zimmer Bradley, an overrated scribe (and at least in one noted instance, a presumed plagiarist) who after her death was exposed as an upper-echelon child molester. This, in turn, led to mention of her repressible spouse, fanzine-culture "king" and (alas) Star Trek, fan-fiction dabbler, Walter Breen, who also violated children and even served prison time for his despicable deeds. It should be noted that, in most people's estimation, Bradley deserved the same fate as her spouse, but eschewed it, while continuing to torment her daughter, Moira Greyland, for the span of nine agonizing years.
The person who defended Bradley (and to a lesser degree, Breen) exalted her as a significant, science-fiction/fantasy figure, who promoted vital, feminist and counter-culture causes. My response was (and will remain) "big deal." None of that eclipses her sins.
I don't care how the defense is spun. Bradley deserves no veneration or forgiveness. Her horrid husband deserves none. (It's good that he died in prison.) If anything, the two deserve eternal vilification, and even that isn't strong enough a penalty.
I do believe that Jake from PulpMortem sums up the Bradley affair quite well and includes a review of one of her overblown novels. I've inserted the video below.
BTW: My opponent (before dashing off in a huff) concluded her Bradley defense by calling me "narrow-minded." Well, if so, I'll flaunt the label with pride, for I'm one who abhors child abuse, in particular that of a sexual nature. Anyone who rationalizes such behavior, on the mere basis that the perpetrator holds (or held) some ostentatious, feminist prestige or ballyhooed, alternate lifestyle, is no better. Wrong is wrong. Evil is evil. End of story.
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