The Memory of Earth (Homecoming, #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Sep 25, 2012 Harold Ogle rated it really liked it

Shelves: ensemble, science-fantasy, sf

Excuse me for being crass, but I had to put down my thought as I was a bit over half-way through this book earlier today: "This book kicks all kinds of ass!" Silly, and not very helpful, I know, but it was a very real and very visceral reaction to this very well-crafted story about a far-future human colony whose overseer has maintained peace on a global level for an unimaginably long time. In that respect, at that high a level, you could compare this with John Norman's Gor books, though of cour Excuse me for being crass, but I had to put down my thought as I was a bit over half-way through this book earlier today: "This book kicks all kinds of ass!" Silly, and not very helpful, I know, but it was a very real and very visceral reaction to this very well-crafted story about a far-future human colony whose overseer has maintained peace on a global level for an unimaginably long time. In that respect, at that high a level, you could compare this with John Norman's Gor books, though of course the comparison is ridiculous when you get to any level of detail.

So, what prompted this ebullient, teen-like reaction to this book? Well, simply put, I was terribly impressed with all the craft that went into this. Card has written compelling characters, he's done an amazing bit of world-building, he reveals this world-building in an organic, completely non-didactic way that never feels like explanation, the story is told from the points of view from of multiple characters, and each character has only slightly overlapping, very different motivations and distinct voices, and all this was a very interesting conceit about how people receive and experience spirituality.

Here's the set-up. I'm putting it as a spoiler, because I think if you haven't read it, you might prefer to go into it cold. (view spoiler)

A lot of people seem to have a negative reaction to Card's work in general and this book specifically because of his Mormon faith, but I've never found it particularly intrusive in any of his writing. Along with that, I have to admit a near-complete ignorance of the actual details of the Mormon faith: I know that Joseph Smith was visited by an angel in prison (was it from another planet? or are angels from other worlds limited to Scientology?) and given a mission, and that he led his followers to Utah by what came to be known as the Mormon Trail, a fork of the Emigrant Trail. Beyond that, I know very little. This book bears a much closer resemblance to the Old Testament, to me, with people getting visions and having to deal with the unbelief of their followers. As such, I found it very compelling. It's well-crafted, masterfully written, character-driven science fiction. I loved it. ...more

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Jul 15, 2012 valpal rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned

Re-read this recently because I want to read the whole series. I've kinda been boycotting OSC because I disagree with some of his political views. But on the other hand I am a fan of many famous people who are actually dicks in real life so I got over it. I vacillated between giving this a three and a four but rounded up to a four. The plot seemed a bit simplistic but that's probably because I had read it before and knew how it ended. I'll read the next book and then decide if I want to read the ...more

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Feb 07, 2016 Will rated it it was ok

Shelves: science-fiction, audible

Almost lem'd. But instead, listened as much as possible to get it over with. I have loved everything Orson Scott Card has written, but this. The World building suffered as it was done through the eyes of a smart ass teenager that thought he knew everything. Made the first 3rd of the book difficult to get through. You can see the potential of the story, but based upon the characters, you can also see how it could be difficult to continue reading. I have to many other books to read to continue thi ...more

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Oct 20, 2008 Charity Bradford rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, sets-and-sequels

Interesting. I was just reading and enjoying the story when all of a sudden it turned into the story of Lehi and his sons. Well, it was different, but it was the same story! It kind of weirded me out a little. I plan on reading the rest of the series. It will be interesting to see if the whole story follows the Book of Mormon theme.

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