Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

I hate mind games; this book was one big mind game.
I’m not too fond of war movies or novels or violence; Ender’s Game is all about war and violence.
I’m more of a fantasy fan than a science fiction fan; Ender’s Game is science fiction with a vengeance.
And to top it all off, this violent science fiction novel that tries to play games with the reader’s mind is definitely a boys’ book. It wasn’t written for girls, and it probably won’t appeal to many of them.

However, I thought Ender’s Game was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time; maybe the best science fiction novel I’ve ever read. Blest With Sons says Ender’s Game is on the required reading list for Marine Corps officer candidates. I can see why; did I mention that this book is very military, very male?

Ender Wiggin is an illegal Third (third child), but like his brother, Peter, and his sister, Valentine, he is a genius. The powers that be hope he is also the one kid who can save the world from the Buggers who have already invaded Earth twice and are expected back anytime. Or maybe we’re planning to get them before they invade for a third time. Either way Ender, still a child, must learn enough very quickly to lead Earth’s army in what may turn out to be Armageddon, the final battle for domination of Earth and its colonies.

The themes in this book make it intriguing even as the plot twists and surprises keep the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next. Ender’s Game asks questions about power and violence and sin and forgiveness. Is it morally acceptable to use overwhelming force against an enemy when you know that enemy is willing and able to destroy you? What if you begin to enjoy the exercise of violence and power over others for its own sake? Can members of very different cultures communicate and make peace, or are they doomed to destroy one another? Is it acceptable to strike first to destroy an enemy who has already attacked you once? Can people change? Does a truly evil child, a torturer, become civilized? How? How are leaders formed? What makes a group, an army unit, for instance, a cohesive force? How does a leader go about creating that cohesiveness?

Lots of questions. Some of these questions are questions that we’re still pondering and muddling through as a country in the aftermath of 9/11. Orson Scott Card certainly doesn’t have all the answers, and I thought the ending of the book was its weakest part. However, he definitely asks the right questions, questions that we will be forced to answer as we deal with our own crises in this post 9/11 world.

Highly recommended with one caveat: the language is army language, rough and crude. If that bothers you, skip this book. (To tell the truth, crude language annoys me. However, it wasn’t gratuitous; I would imagine that men whose profession is violent use just the kind of language that is in this book, only worse.) I think it’s worth skimming over some words in order to read this story and think about its implications.

11 thoughts on “Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

  1. That’s Orson Scott Card for you (though I disagree with you about it being a boys’ book. Maybe in appearances, but if so it is one of the rare boys’ books that crosses over the line a LOT. Because all the girls I know who are into science fiction also loved this book. Though you did a better job of describing what I loved about it than I can. As you say, a big mind game, which would normally make me hate the book. But I not just don’t hate it, I’ve reread it several times over the years. And the sequels, etc.

  2. I liked Ender’s Game. It was interesting and well written. It is the start of a series. I’ve read the next couple books in the series. They were OK. Someone once commented about the books after the first three: “If someone encourages you to read the fourth book, and beyond, they are not your friend.”

  3. I have to agree with Sherry and with both commenters above me: it’s a great book, it’s not just for boys (I’m a girl, well, okay a 34-yr-old woman), and don’t bother reading more than Ender’s Game and Ender’s Shadow. The others are boring, even though those two are GREAT. I’d say if you liked Ender’s Game, try Ender’s Shadow. It’s the same story from from Bean’s perspective.

  4. As for sequels, if you look at the Wikipedia article they have 2 series, one starting with Ender’s Game and the other with Ender’s Shadow. The series starting with Ender’s Shadow is fascinating (although IMHO really needs reading Ender’s Game to understand) The rest of the books past Ender’s Game in its own series are so-so. I can see why so many think them boring.

  5. No no no no!!! The books just get better!! I loved Speaker for the Dead – it made me cry. And Xenocide rocks!!

    And then of course there is the new Shadow series – which is fascinating.

  6. Sherry, I’m so glad you read and reviewed this. You brought up excellent questions–I’ll return for them, to discuss with my son who’s read the book.

  7. Yes, this is one of the MAJOR thought-provokers I’ve read in the last few years. I think Orson Scott Card’s Mormon worldview makes him a more interesting writer, even though I don’t share his theological position.

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