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Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
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Showing 1-5 of 300 (next | show all)
I have trouble in general with science fiction because I always feel that there is some crucial piece of information that I'm missing. Or I feel that the tale is an allegory for something in our present-day world. Either way, I need a reader's guide to understand the significance of what's happening in the sci-fi novel itself.

With "Ender's Game" I was able to follow the action and sequence of events enough to understand where the story was going. I also caught on that the novel was published in 1977, during the Cold War, so some of the politics and fear of war made sense. But again, I felt that I was missing something important. For example, what was the significance of the "soldiers" being children? That seems like a critical point for the novel, yet it's never clarified.

If the novel is making a larger statement about war or mutually assured destruction, unfortunately that point was lost upon me. Just didn't see it, sorry!

Overall, I'm happy to have read the book to see what all the fuss was about, but ultimately, I realize that no matter how much I try, science fiction will never be my cup of literary tea. ( )
  puckandhammie | Nov 8, 2009 |
This book was suggested by Megan to give us a different genre and introduce some of us to a book considered a canon of sci-fi. We discussed this title at Phyllis's house.
1 vote | Bibliofemmes | Nov 7, 2009 |
Ender's Game is, in my opinion, an excellent read for those very much into Earth future science fiction and the evolution of human society (especially when alien life is thrown into the mix). This book only introduces the main character, Andrew "Ender" wiggin, as the child prodigy who might be able to save humanity from the alien "Bugger" threat. It focuses on his training and encounters during Battle School where he will eventually lead the human fleets against the aliens. It also follows the actions of his brother, Peter Wiggin, and his quest for political power amongst a very socially different, and united (albeit fragile alliances), human race.

Follow the series to delve deeper into the philosophy behind human/alien interaction as well as the events of Ender's latter years as he seeks peace from his actions in the war against the Buggers. ( )
1 vote LibaryMaze | Nov 5, 2009 |
Always wondered what the hype was about. Now I know. This is one of the best books I can remember reading for a very long time, and I wish I had read it when it was published. I subsequently read the rest of the series (including the newest book, which comes between this one and Speaker for the Dead), and while they are all worth reading, this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. I could write reams about it, but I'll just say two more things: 1. It is easy to read, but there is lots to chew on. 2. Read it. ( )
1 vote laura1814 | Nov 2, 2009 |
This book was not at all what I expected. It's much more concerned with psychology and ethics than straight out sci-fi. The story revolves around a gifted child who is singled out by the government as a sort of Christ-like Superman figure who happens to be the human race's one chance at winning an intergalactic war. The novel's focus is not the war but rather Ender's journey through school and his progression from naive boy to world-weary young man. ( )
1 vote llamagirl | Nov 2, 2009 |
Showing 1-5 of 300 (next | show all)
I am aware that this sounds like the synopsis of a grade Z, made-for-television, science-fiction-rip-off movie. But Mr. Card has shaped this unpromising material into an affecting novel full of surprises that seem inevitable once they are explained. The key, of course, is Ender Wiggin himself. Mr. Card never makes the mistake of patronizing or sentimentalizing his hero.
 
Canonical titleEnder's Game
Original publication date1977-08 (short story), 1985 (novel)
SeriesEnder's Game (1), Ender's Game: Extended (1)
People/CharactersEnder Wiggin, Bean, Valentine Wiggin, Peter Wiggin, Petra Arkanian, Alai (show all 25)
Important placesBattle School (space station)
Important eventsThe Xenocide of the Formics (Buggers)
Awards and honorsHugo (Novel, 1986), Nebula (Novel, 1985), ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1985), ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2000.03|Page Turners -- Adult Novels for Teens, 2000), The Modern Library's 100 Best Novels (Readers' List, 59), ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound (1999.5|Fiction, 1999) (show all 7)
DedicationFor Geoffrey, who makes me remember how young and how old children can be
First words"I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one."
Last words(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
DescriptionEnder Wiggin is a very bright young boy with a powerful skill. One of a group of children bred to be military geniuses and save Earth from an inevitable attack by aliens, known here as "buggers," Ender becomes unbeatable in w... (show all)
Book description
Ender Wiggin is a very bright young boy with a powerful skill. One of a group of children bred to be military geniuses and save Earth from an inevitable attack by aliens, known here as "buggers," Ender becomes unbeatable in war games and seems poised to lead Earth to triumph over the buggers. Meanwhile, his brother and sister plot to wrest power from Ender. Twists, surprises and interesting characters elevate this novel into status as a bona fide page turner.

Amazon.com New York Times (ISBN 0812550706, Mass Market Paperback)

Intense is the word for Ender's Game. Aliens have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses -- and then training them in the arts of war... The early training, not surprisingly, takes the form of 'games'... Ender Wiggin is a genius among geniuses; he wins all the games... He is smart enough to know that time is running out. But is he smart enough to save the planet?

(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:11 -0400)

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