April Random Read: Ender's Game

[Jason]

So sorry for being late, yet again.

This month's random read is Ender's Game.

This is a classic, so let's dig in.

[Zuzana]

I'm so glad this "random read" spurred me on to re-read one of my favorite books ever. I loved it the first time around, and I'm loving it again! Thanks!

[Jason]

Hey, Z! How's it going?

Yeah, this is an old favorite of mine, too. And just about the only book by Card that I've enjoyed.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I liked this book, but the ending lost me a bit. (view spoiler)[ The whole spiritual aspect came out of nowhere and didn't fit the rest of the novel. (hide spoiler)]

[Traci]

@ Lady D, I know Card rewrote sections of Ender's Game to fit in with it's sequel Speaker for the Dead. Both are very different from each other and I think this might be the reason for what you mention. (view spoiler)[Speaker is a much more spiritual book. Ender has to deal with the guilt of what he has done and he becomes a sort of priest. (hide spoiler)]

I read this in one sitting when I first read it and loved it. Although it's more about the children than any science fiction. It could technically be any military centered school. I think the end made it stand out for me. And no I didn't see it coming. I loved Bean. :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

That makes sense, Traci! Thanks!

[Katy]

I re-read this one in January. Still a classic, loved it every time I've read it, so the ending is no longer a surprise.

[Jenny]

This is my first time with Ender. I'm listening to the 20th anniversary audio version and it is great. They use more than one narrator and I like it. It makes it feel like a radio play. I really like the army guys talking about Ender in between scenes. I'm looking forward to getting into it!

[Stephanie]

Traci wrote: "@ Lady D, I know Card rewrote sections of Ender's Game to fit in with it's sequel Speaker for the Dead. Both are very different from each other and I think this might be the reason for ..."

I loved Bean too, and really enjoyed Ender's Shadow. I found his story more interesting than Enders almost!

[Nathan]

Hadn't read this for many years. Enjoyed it despite knowing how everything turns out. Still packed an emotional punch with me the second time through.

[E A M Harris]

I've only just finished reading it – am I too late to comment? I've never read any of Card's books before. I found this one an easy read, his style is very readable. However, I found all the description of military training too much and I started skipping bits. The end I thought was excellent – I could have done with much more of that. I guess it comes in the next book. I thought the discussions of good/bad and right/wrong were a point in its favour and filled out the characters.

[Jenny]

I loved this book! I really liked reading about the practice battles. It was amazing how innovative Ender was and it was fun to hear about all of his ideas. The ending- (view spoiler)[that Ender had actually been fighting the Buggers (hide spoiler)] was so awesome and I didn't see it coming. I plan on reading the rest of the series.

[Phil]

I was very fond of the novella version, and I like most of the things Card added to the novel version. Although the novel has a good ending, I will always prefer the novella ending.

(view spoiler)[After tricking Ender into committing genocide, two generals go back to Earth and sit on a park bench watching some kids play. It's just a moment of, "Oh s**t, what have we done," that is simple and powerful in a special way. (hide spoiler)]

I am shocked that anyone likes Ender's Shadow. My brutal review is right here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...