Hart's Hope
by Orson Scott Card
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 508)
Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Adult readers of fantasy
Hart's Hope is a traditional fantasy novel, replete with pseudo-mythology, map, and magic. In Orson Scott Card's hands, it also has a decent set of characters and, at least after the first 80 pages, a compelling storyline.
Not having read straight fantasy in years, I knew that it might take me personally some time to sort out the conventions and names. And as I expected, the first few pages challenged me, but Scott Card, whom I've read before, managed to capture my interest so that I...more
Not having read straight fantasy in years, I knew that it might take me personally some time to sort out the conventions and names. And as I expected, the first few pages challenged me, but Scott Card, whom I've read before, managed to capture my interest so that I...more
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Read in April, 2004
recommends it for:
mythology fans
This was an interesting read. I'm a big fan of OSC, but my biggest complaint is that his books are pretty predictable. This one wasn't. It is written almost in the style of a myth or legend; the entire tale is being retold by one of the characters to another, and the feats achieved by the main characters certainly represent the heights of both heroism and evil. I felt the most connected to Orem, but OSC also gives you an insight into the lives of Palicrovol, Beauty, and Weasel. It's a twisted ta...more
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Normally, I'm a big fan of Orson Scott Card. I find him an intelligent, imaginative writer and excellent at creating real, multi-faceted characters. I also love his common themes of family, parenting, and religion. And while Hart's Hope contains all of these, it is so crude, vulgar, and downright foul in so many places that I can't imagine who would actually like reading this book. It was obviously written by a young Card--not only is it not as well constructed as his later novels, it sim...more
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This book defies description. It must be one of the most underrated books in its genre, because it is so great I can't understand why it's not more well-known. As may be apparent from my book list, I'm a big fan of fantasy, but I'm also extremely picky and can't abide the Xena Warrior Princess nonsense that is so abundant on fantasy shelves. Orson Scott Card is just shy of Tolkien greatness. I love that this book doesn't hold your hand. You have to immerse yourself in the language and live ...more
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recommends it for:
people aroused by Jennifer Connelly's performance in Requiem for a Dream
So, my wife had never read any Orson Scott Card, and I found this one in a box in the basement. "Hey," said I, "why don't we read this one tonight?
Thanks a fucking lot, Orson. Why would I want to read a book where I consider every last character to be a despicable piece of trash? My wife is reading over my shoulder, and I'm getting really uncomfortable, thinking, "Alright, when does it start getting good and redeeming how messed-up this is?" It doesn't.
Card ...more
Thanks a fucking lot, Orson. Why would I want to read a book where I consider every last character to be a despicable piece of trash? My wife is reading over my shoulder, and I'm getting really uncomfortable, thinking, "Alright, when does it start getting good and redeeming how messed-up this is?" It doesn't.
Card ...more
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Read in November, 2000
recommended to Ailsa by:
My father.recommends it for: People who have already read A LOT of Orson Scott Card's books.
One of Orson Scott Card's earlier novels, this reads like an early novel. It has some inherit structural problems with plot and character development. It lacks a lot as a story, but non-the-less it shows real potential and creativity that is simply undeniable in a few sections. Probably not worth reading unless you want to study how Mr. Card’s ideas and style evolved over time, or if you don’t mind wading through some worthless writing to find a couple of incredibly unique ideas. The fantasy...more
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Truly a great book. From the unique verse to the plot, Card does a tight job. The first few pages are a little confusing (the reader gets no gentle introduction to this world) but once you're finished you'll appreciate the beginning. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy realistic fantasy books as opposed to fantasy books where everything ends up happily-ever-after.
Some thought provoking quotes:
"A weak King must be what other Kings have been; a strong King is himself, and...more
Some thought provoking quotes:
"A weak King must be what other Kings have been; a strong King is himself, and...more
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recommends it for:
People with strong stomachs . . .
When the author signed my copy, he wrote "For Dan: a tale of sweetness and light".
He didn't mean it.
This is possibly the darkest, bloodiest, most unrelentingly depressing fantasy I've ever read, and I love it. I've read it six times. This probably says something not very flattering about me, but there you are. It also is beautifully written, thoroughly realized, and haunting. I can't recommend it highly enough, provided you've got a taste for the disturbing.
Which I a...more
He didn't mean it.
This is possibly the darkest, bloodiest, most unrelentingly depressing fantasy I've ever read, and I love it. I've read it six times. This probably says something not very flattering about me, but there you are. It also is beautifully written, thoroughly realized, and haunting. I can't recommend it highly enough, provided you've got a taste for the disturbing.
Which I a...more
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I am torn on what to rate this book. I remember some things just were totally over my head. (It deals a lot with mythology) And there is definitely some very disturbing subject matter. Although I don't remember a lot about it, some stuff has really stayed with me. Perhaps, some time in the future I'll read it again when I'm in the mood for a really dark and disturbing story. (And I've read Stephen King for crying out loud. Course I haven't for years, but still you know what I'm saying.)
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Read in August, 2007
This fantasy book had the poetic inevitability of a good fairy tale. It had an archaic and ceremonial tone, like you would expect of Beowulf or The Lord of the Rings, and I liked that. Although that tone was similar to Zelazny's Lord of Light, instead of borrowing a particular mythology, Card made up his own, seeming to take bits from a wide variety of mythologies.
Anyway, I recommend it.
Anyway, I recommend it.
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3 comments
Read in October, 2007
This book is very good. It is however, written rather oddly; more like a compilations of smaller stories than one whole story. It works well though and makes for an interesting read. Warning: the book is rather violent/dark in some parts; it also contains (not too in depth depiction of) rape.
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8 comments
5.0 stars. One of my all time favorite novels. I am a big Orson Scott Card fan and this is my favorite book of his (Speaker for the Dead is second and Ender's Game is third). This is emotionally devastating novel that will leave you thinking about it long after the book is done. Card himself calls this his best writing ever and I completely agree.
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Read in August, 2008
I both liked and didn't like this book. Some parts where just a little to graphic for me. I understood the why the author did it, but it didn't make it any more enjoyable to read. In the end I thought the story line was entertaining and very slightly thought provoking but not the best I've read.
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Usually when someone does the "Turn of the Screw" vague ending, I'm wildly disappointed. I like an ending to end the story or at least cliffhanger to the next moment. But this book ends beautifully as it should, with the reader left to make a very serious decision.
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Read in May, 2008
This book was a huge disappointment. It was full of characters that had very little redeeming value. The language was crude and many of the baser moments could have been left out, without changing the story. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
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Read in January, 1988
This is one of Card's earliest novels. It was just okay, not one of my favorites. It didn't really speak to me. Perhaps I just didn't 'get it'. It wasn't particularly powerful or memorable.
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Is it bad of me to know I read it and can't remember anything about how I felt about it? Hence the "okay" rating I've given this. Surely if I'd liked or hated it, I would remember more...
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Read in January, 1998
recommends it for:
ashleigh
I think Card's one shot fantasy books are often his best. His series books can sometimes get a little too complex and contrived by the end. I remember really enjoying this one.
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Read in June, 1993
recommends it for:
Fantasy fans, Card Fans
My favorite Card book. At first you think it is like every other fantasy book that's ever been written.
It isn't.
Great imagry....it stayed with me.
It isn't.
Great imagry....it stayed with me.
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i hated this book. From start to finish. It was cold and violent. If it had been the first Card book I read, I would never have read another one.
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