From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

Ender’s Game (Ender's Saga, #1)

Orson Scott Card

Start date: January 1, 2013

Finish date: January 31, 2013

Discussion: Book Discussions

Why we're reading this: Group disucssion January 2013 Classic
Group discussion February 2013 Short Story
Hugo Winner 1985
Nebula Awa…more
[close] Group disucssion January 2013 Classic
Group discussion February 2013 Short Story
Hugo Winner 1985
Nebula Award Winner 1985
#3 on NPR's Top 100 SF/F novels of all time (2011 poll) http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/1390858...
#2 on Locus Magazines Best SciFi novels of the 20th century http://www.locusmag.com/2012/AllCentu...

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Oct 13, 2013 Spencer rated it really liked it

I will attempt to limit spoilers in this review, but no guarantees. Consider yourself forewarned. This review will also be from a biblical point of view.

First off, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has been on my reading list for years (especially since I have heard it so often compared to my favorite sci-fi novel, Starship Troopers), and with the movie coming up it was time. The grueling training, so inhuman, yet in the story so very necessary, was of great interest to me (I lo I will attempt to limit spoilers in this review, but no guarantees. Consider yourself forewarned. This review will also be from a biblical point of view.

First off, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has been on my reading list for years (especially since I have heard it so often compared to my favorite sci-fi novel, Starship Troopers), and with the movie coming up it was time. The grueling training, so inhuman, yet in the story so very necessary, was of great interest to me (I love "boot camp" stories). You can see the influence of Starship Troopers, but you can also see the influence of something else. Before I continue, I must say I thought the book was very good, quite unique, and is a must-read for true science fiction fans. However, I did have a few quibbles with it.

On the one hand, I did like Ender a little bit, but only a little. I admit I simply cannot identify with child characters, what can I say? I cannot empathize with his undying fear of his brother Peter, but I certainly was of one mind with him in his violent treatment of Stilson and Bonzo. Clearly Card's religion comes through rather blatantly in the story. While I can't blame him for that (if I wrote a book, I'd be even more blatant about my own religion to be sure), as I don't share his Mormon worldview it was something I noticed. While the language and the dark nature of the story surprised me coming from someone of said Mormon religion [SPOILER WARNING], towards the end where Ender begins to feel with/for the buggers the Mormonism came out in full force. Far too fuzzy, far too all-inclusive (both on a human and almost a religious level) and far too happily-ever-after for me. Perhaps that's why I prefer the book Starship Troopers (no I will not stop talking about it), or even the film Aliens? I don't like to see the enemies of mankind treated as merely misunderstood friends. The establishment of the false "speaker for the dead" religion was also reminiscent of the near-omnist views of Mormon theology. On the other hand, just the phrase "speaker for the dead" conjures images of the Mormon doctrine of baptism for the dead (not to mention the similarities otherwise), and the way the children are taken, placed amongst their peers, isolated, and tightly controlled sounds just like what the Mormon church does with the youth who go on their two-year "missions."

Quibbles aside, with those reservations, if you like sci-fi, or just want to see an excellent exploration of the limits of human endurance (possibly one of the best things about the book), read it.
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Nov 09, 2011 Nicole rated it really liked it

Nobody is that perfect: but it is fiction after all. Looking forward to the movie. And I can't help but think this book influenced the Hunger Games. Children-wolves. ...more

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