Ender's Game
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Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is quite simply a science fiction classic. Orson Scott Card's background in humanities rather than science provides an interesting take on the genre and coupled with some strong underlying themes, this leads to a surprisingly accessible novel even for those with no interest in science fiction.
Earth has survived two attacks by an alien insectal race called "Buggers". In order to ensure Earth's survival all the brightest and most gifted children are taken into service of the International Fleet and are trained to be officers and commanders in space, the youngest based at the Battle School - home of a war game where teams of children compete against each trying to disable the other team's "gate", all in zero gravity with laser quest like weapons. The story follows Ender Wiggin - an extraordinary talented 6 year old - from Earth to Battle School and his career in the game and his grooming to become command of Earth's fleets against the Buggers.
The plot is simple but the underlying themes complex, alienation and loneliness, the nature of games and rules; the capabilities of youth and their relationship with adults; compassion and ruthlessness; power and ethics; what it is to be human and of course war. In the sequels and later writing Card often falls for the common mistake of telling us rather than showing us these themes and lecturing at points however in Ender's Game he makes none of these mistakes leading to a surprisingly tight novel. In its brevity we see Card's writing at its best, well paced, well described - Ender's game is an emotional moral ride which never loses its sense of fun and wonder.
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A major disappointment
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Just finished the book, and was glad to see the back of it. I found it very repetitive and shallow. I just couldn't empathise with any of the characters.
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A thought-provoking, exciting, and emotional novel
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Ender's Game is a book that will speak directly to whoever reads it, for it is about loneliness and specialist expertise - two things that everyone is familiar with in their own lives, in one way or another.
Ender is a young prodigy space battle commander whose adventures through training school make up most of the book. Ender makes friends and enemies, and must deal with life in a world where no-one understands him, except his sister who he never sees because she is on Earth while he is training in space.
The book covers a lot of different topics, but principle among Card's many theses is that to beat an enemy one must understand them completely: one must - in a manner of speaking - love them. This is a powerful notion and one that is explored in detail, with a very emotionally resonant ending and surprise epilogue.
I particularly enjoyed the videogame which Ender returns to throughout the book, where he is exploring an alien planet and battling various nightmarish foes, solving puzzles, and put under extreme emotional strain. It reminded me of the kind of videogames we are beginning to see nowadays (such as Shadow of the Colossus) and I was amazed an author had come up with it so many years ago.
An emotional and intelligent book, for adults and children alike.
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did the person that gave it a 1 star rating read the right book???
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Ender's game has sucked me back into the beautiful world of science-fiction! This rates as probably one of the greatest books I have ever read! Even for those who don't read science fiction, read this book!! The character development of the three siblings is so incredibly intricate, the good, the bad and the bond that keeps them together. I have no true words that can properly describe this book to anybody, if you try and right down the plot line of the story you just cannot possibly give it any justice at all. Read it for yourself and you'll fall it love with it the way I have. Already ordered the sequels now and can't wait for them to arrive!
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the best book ever written
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This book touched me from the first moment I picked it up; since then I have lost count of the number of times I have re read it.
This book is so hopeful but tragic that it is one of the few books that have made me cry reading it. Ender (only a young boy) is bullied by his sadistic brother, but to any other outsiders is fierce and tactical, which is shown even before he leaves his school. He is taken away from the life that he knows, to battle school - where children are taught how to be soldiers and the best are taken on to become leaders. From the start he is manipulated by the teachers so that he is outcast. And it is not till much later that he realises this and the why behind it. He has been watched his whole life and they want him to be the next commander to lead the war against some aliens. With most of the battle school children against him, he proves over and again how good he is as a leader. Though every time he thinks that he knows the rules of his new life, they change.
This is such a fantastic book. It may not be the hardest book to read, but it touches all the way to the soul. Everyone should read this book, Everyone!!! And if you're still not convinced, this is the only book I have ever reviewed and probably will ever be bothered to review as I do think everyone should read it, at least once.
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