Matt Thomas answers “How much like Joe Haldeman's The Forever...”

Eric asked this question about Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1):

How much like Joe Haldeman's The Forever War is this book? The plot summary makes it sound VERY similar....

Matt Thomas The Forever War was extremely impactful on me as a veteran. Haldeman did a fantastic job of portraying how people feel returning from a combat deploym…moreThe Forever War was extremely impactful on me as a veteran. Haldeman did a fantastic job of portraying how people feel returning from a combat deployment, with the extended absence, life continuing on for those back home, having to readjust, etc. In that sense, I see The Forever War as hard science fiction as in the realm of psychology as physics.

"Old Man's War" is fantastic. But it's different. I agree with Charles to call it more of a flight of fancy. It's a great tale, it explores wonderful issues, and the characters are (mostly) three-dimensional. But other than being military sci-fi, I don't see the two as analogous.(less)

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