Smart thinking, well expressed (quelle surprise) from Ann Leckie on the idea that “I don’t like this thing, so people who claim they like it must have an agenda”.

I don’t think I would like N.K. Jemison’s Hugo-winning novels, but it’s because they sound dark and harrowing, and I don’t enjoy that. That’s why I haven’t read them.

I’m perfectly willing to believe that other people like them. Having read one of her other books, and some of her blog posts, I’m also very willing to believe that they are good.

Sometimes things win awards that I think are mediocre in terms of craft (again, I don’t expect that Jemison’s books are among those), but I’m still willing to believe that people liked them. Those people were looking for something in a book that is different from what I look for.