Well this is the kick off to my Science Fiction summer. Although I finished this book a little bit ago, I got behind because I started Dune. Even though I felt I was already traversing through the nerd universe in Ender's Game, I realized I was only in the shallow end once I started Dune.
However, I do not want to take away from Ender's Game, which I found to be a great novel. While slow to start, I can certainly see how and why this book receives so much praise. It is an in-depth look into the mind of a child who from an early age, has been inculcated with how to be a solider. One who is taught to not act or react with emotion, but rather strategy. Alienated from peers and family, Ender's life is in a constant state of preparation for battle. While this book does have its science fictions staples such as space travel and futuristic devices, it truly is a human story and should resonate with all readers. It is a coming of age story of a boy who must bear the fate on humanity on his shoulders. As Ender knows that once false move in his preparation could mean life or death for humanity as we know it, he still desires affirmation from his peers. He still longs for the love of his sister and constantly questions the meaning of all of his endeavors. Although one in an unusual circumstance, he is a boy at heart and that is what makes this story particularly poignant.
Back to the futuristic devices, I was also pretty amazed how Card predicted the future of the internet. Published in 1985, the internet was in no way ubiquitous. In Ender's world, the "nets" are a vital part of every citizens lives. Although we do not have elections held through the internet, it was interesting to read how Card predicted a world in which everyone relied on the internet. While that is not entirely the case now, I do know a couple people who might actually die if they went a day without logging on facebook.
Ender is a fascinated and fully realized character in a mostly realized world. Which brings me to my one gripe, I wish that Card gave us a bit more about the world around him. Why things are the way that they are? How exactly were the wars with the Buggers started?
While I do have my problems, I do know that there is much more to Ender's story that I have yet to read. So I cannot really fault him for not including these details because I have only read the first quarter of the whole series.
I just bought Speaker for the Dead today so I am in no way done with this story. With a complex and utterly human cast of characters living in a world in which I can not visualize, but understand, makes this story an important read.
So far, my Sci-Fi summer is going really well.
