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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What Members Thought

Feb 27, 2011 Ash rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, space-aliens, 2013-read, movie-tv, 0-hugo-nebula, ya-others, first-contact

3 stars for the rest of the book and 1 extra star only because of the awesome ending (last chapter)
I loved the ending a lot. Some parts of the book didn't make sense to me when I read them. I thought why do we even need this chapter (like elaborate descriptions of giant game). But everything made sense at the end. One thing that did not make sense was their age. 6 year olds are getting trained for battle?! seriously?! Some parts of the book did bore me (like Peter and Valentine part). But overa ...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Xdyj rated it really liked it

Shelves: poc, o

It's a simple and intriguing story with a setting a bit similar to Starship Troopers, and a fast read for me, but unlike Heinlein's novel it mainly focuses on the (mostly unpleasant) psychological and social effect of war, as well as the moral growth of individuals and the (mis)understanding between different civilizations. And I really like the ending. There is some controversy about the author cf. Paul Bryant & aPriL MEOWS often with scratching's review. ...more

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Feb 10, 2011 Tyrone rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, sci-fi, reviewed

It took me a while to get around to this, not least because it is always so highly rated on 'best of' lists but also because it won the top SF book awards and generally for me that makes a book unreadable. I'm finally beginning to get over myself and going back to some of the great books I might have missed because of this perversity. I picked this one up as an audio book and I have to say that it was wonderfully well narrated. Add to that, that this is a book full of wonderful ideas, well told It took me a while to get around to this, not least because it is always so highly rated on 'best of' lists but also because it won the top SF book awards and generally for me that makes a book unreadable. I'm finally beginning to get over myself and going back to some of the great books I might have missed because of this perversity. I picked this one up as an audio book and I have to say that it was wonderfully well narrated. Add to that, that this is a book full of wonderful ideas, well told in a compelling narrative and you have to feel for Ender through all his trials.

The book does require a certain suspension of disbelief that the children, especially Ender,are able to act at the level of intelligence and emotional maturity that many of the key characters in this story appear to; at least without being the result of some kind of genetic meddling. The same is true with the sub plot with Valentine and Peter and their alter-ego's. What this sub plot does however is predict the rise to prominence of the internet and blogging in the political sphere. As i said, many of the ideas in this book are quite wonderful.

The story is largely free from the personal views that Card's novels have become known for. What I do find difficult is the way that Card seems to find ways for Ender to remain 'morally clean', no matter what violence he resorts to. I would say that because of his superior intelligence and empathy Ender could have found ways to resolve those situations for which Card seems to suggest 'well he had no choice, did he?'. I think that he does have some culpability for the acts he carries out.

I suppose one of the things that most recommends this book is that it seems to appeal to non SF fans and that is probably because it is such a good read. It doesn't matter what genre you like if the ideas are good and the way they are told is compelling then people will enjoy it. That is the ultimate success of this book.

I'm quite excited that they are making this into a film and so far the cast and crew looks interesting enough to suggest that this could be worth seeing. ...more

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Oct 19, 2011 Alyssa rated it really liked it

Well I had to read this for school and I have to say it was one of the best books I have ever read for a class. Many of the ideas in this book were thought provoking and I loved the idea of two kids masquerading on the net as politically active adults. I just thought that whole idea was very inspiring and made me want to improve my writing skills and knowledge about government/politics. Overall this was a very good read.

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Jan 05, 2011 Charles rated it liked it

This was a good read that could have been better if the author gave it more suspense. I mean, by the middle of the book certain points in the book became pretty predictable. It was still good, but if he would have varied things more I think I would have been more eager to find out what's going to happen next instead of guessing it. ...more

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