Victory will not bring him peace.
As populations swell, governments impose a new law; two children per family, but Ender is a third, requisitioned by the government, who believe he may be the brilliant tactician who can end the hundred years war against the alien buggers. For the sake of his sister, Ender agrees, traveling to Battle School, a space station where students study tactics, waging mock battles to prove their worth. Every experience is a test, designed to push the students to ever greater heights. But in a school where victory is the only value a student has, some will go to any lengths to prove their worth.
Snippets of dialogue serve as artful insights into the characters even as they advance the plot. Rare descriptions stand out against the summaries, creating rich imagery that hint at deeper meanings. Summaries drive the story inward, focusing on Ender’s struggle for peace and acceptance from a world that only needs his potential for destruction.
The story is a quick, easy read, full of strong characters wrestling with powerful questions, including morality vs survival, friendship in the midst of competition, and the harsh realities of an imperfect world. Ultimately the story finds its way to a bittersweet ending, completing a beautiful story.
+Strong Characters
+Strong Dialogue
+Strong use of Summarization
*Fast, easy read
*Very little description or action
Next Time…
Speaker for the Dead-EG 02
2017/03/16
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Loved this book! My first experience of Card’s writing and thinking. I’ve been reading the series slowly. “Speaker for the Dead” was even better.
What really struck me is how different the stories are. For example, Ender’s Game isolates the ptotagonist, while Speaker pits the protagonist in the center of a complex web of relationships.
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I liked this book quite a bit, though I guessed the last battle almost from the beginning. Ender was a great character. I thought the movie did it justice as well.
Agreed. In some ways I feel the main plot was almost incidental, a way of exploring some interesting ideas, and some very interesting techniques.
What really stands out to me about Ender’s Game is how the story used summary and introspection to keep the focus on Ender’s internal struggle. The battles themselves become an afterthought.
Oooh. I read this when it came out and don’t remember. I guess the fact that I didn’t notice technique speaks to its strength. 🙂
That’s part of what I like about writing book reviews. When I read casually I let go, let the story take me, then go back as a reviewer and try to uncover the artfully disguised techniques the story uses to artfully manipulate the audience.
A great way to learn 🙂
That is my hope, that through numerous examples I may learn what has otherwise escaped me.
*Fingers crossed*
I nominated you! http://www.theexcitedwriter.com/blogger-recognition-award/
Thank you. I appreciate it. Also, congratulations on your award.
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