Speaker for the Dead (Ender Quintet Book 2)

by Orson Scott Card

“We never hated Grego,” said Olhado. “I should have known,” said Miro. “I knew he was suffering the worst pain of any of us, but it never occurred to me . . .” “Don’t blame yourself,” said Ender. “It’s the kind of thing that only a stranger can see.”

This book turns out to be amazing.

descabeçados

Great word

“No human being, when you understand his desires, is worthless. No one’s life is nothing. Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts, had some generous act that redeems them, at least a little, from their sins.”

This is forgotten truth.

She smiled and held him; her hair took the tears from his face. “Ah, Miro, I’m glad he wasn’t your father. Because then I’d be your sister, and I could never hope to have you for myself.”

Foreshadowing.

This is how: “You’re cultural supremacists to the core. You’ll perform your Questionable Activities to help out the poor little piggies, but there isn’t a chance in the world you’ll notice when they have something to teach you.”

Amen

“You treat them as if they were not responsible for their own actions,” said Ender. “Ramen are responsible for what they do.”

“I thought you said we treated the piggies like animals!” Ouanda said. “When you don’t hold them accountable, when you don’t ask them direct questions, when you try to deceive them, then you treat them like animals.” “In other words,” said Miro, “when we do follow the committee rules.” “Yes,” said Ouanda, “yes, that’s right, we are renegades.” “And you?” said Miro. “Why are you a renegade?” “Oh, the human race kicked me out a long time ago. That’s how I got to be a speaker for the dead.”