Homecoming Harmony: The Memory of Earth, The Call of Earth, The Ships of Earth

Homecoming Saga #1-3

by Orson Scott Card

book

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Drama, Adult

819 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Orson Scott Card is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. He is (as of 2023) the only person to have won a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award in consecutive years, winning both awards for his novel Ender's Game (1985) and its sequel Speaker for the Dead (1986). A feature film adaptation of Ender's Game, which Card co-produced, was released in 2013. Card also wrote the Locus Fantasy Award-winning series The Tales of Alvin Maker (1987–2003).
Card's fiction often features characters with exceptional gifts who make difficult choices with high stakes. Card has also written political, religious, and social commentary in his columns and other writing; his opposition to homosexuality has provoked public criticism.
Card, who is a great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, was born in Richland, Washington, and grew up in Utah and California. While he was a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), his plays were performed on stage. He served in Brazil as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and headed a community theater for two summers. Card had 27 short stories published between 1978 and 1979, and he won the John W. Campbell Award for best new writer in 1978. He earned a master's degree in English from the University of Utah in 1981 and wrote novels in science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, and historical fiction genres starting in 1979. Card continued to write prolifically, and he has published over 50 novels and 45 short stories.
Card teaches English at Southern Virginia University; he has written two books on creative writing and serves as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest. He has taught many successful writers at his "literary boot camps". He remains a practicing member of the LDS Church and Mormon fiction writers Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, and Dave Wolverton have cited his works as a major influence.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to get hardback books in the mail from those subscription services (CDs, too) and we'd fight over who in the family got to order how many to get to whatever ordering quota we had for the month. this trilogy bound together was mammoth, bigger than any math or science textbook in my backpack. I "lost" the dust jacket after the first time a girl in health class thought I was reading some kind of book about going to a homecoming dance. as if I would read something like that.

anyway, I remember loving these first three books enough to skip sleeping for a few days to get through them and then order the next set (which was disappointing).

[Deale Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

IMO the book started slowly, and I was annoyed by the characters. Maybe the 'kids' were too realistic. lol However, the further into this trilogy, the more I liked it. It is a rather 'male' focused book (let's say in contrast to Tamora Pierce's more equal focus). However, the women in the book are central and strong (well, most). There is quite a bit of intrigue and some surprises. Interesting political thoughts and nature/nurture insights. It is very good science fiction, and I will finish the remaining two books.

[Robert Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is an amazing retelling of the story of lehi's family leaving jerusalem. i loved the book, even though i am not lds. definately a book to recommend.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these first 3 books! Loved the first book...Nafai

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

These first three books of the homecoming series are a parallel with the Book of Mormon story. The storyline is complex, as are the characters. The book starts 40 million years from now on the planet Harmony. Humans had to leave Earth behind because it wasn't fit for life after being ravaged by wars. Early colonists made the Oversoul, whose influence is meant to keep peace by suppressing evil. After time the Oversoul begins to break down and its influence begins to degrade. As humans start to feel new thoughts and awake from their protective sleep, this story follows a family that is forced to leave Harmony in search of Earth.

[Michael Sypes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uneven writing mars this overly long story more than anything else. There's a good start with interesting, well-developed characters even in a world-sense that strains the limits of believability. Then there are grand overviews of this hardly-believable world, focuses on moments intermixed with time compressed skips of several years.
The biblical overtones are almost palpable, with the main character seemingly a mix of Joseph and Moses, with a dash of Abraham thrown in too. Card's a Mormon, so I'm sure there's a Jesus in there too, but I don't it it as clearly.
I have, and will continue with the second collection in the series, but I'm not expecting anything great.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, earlier OSC series!

Apparently, the story is based on the Book of Mormon, which I know nothing about. Regardless, it's a great fantasy tale with an unlikely hero struggling to find his place. The book deals quite a bit with human interactions, individual feelings of inadequacy, drives for power, and many other issues that have been with humanity forever (and likely will be). The story really is a study in group dynamics that is fascinating because it's so relatable.

[Rainbow Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so unique and twisted and amazing. I read it years ago but think about it at random times. I plan to do a re-read very soon because it was just that good. Highly recommend.

[Carol Spears · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a discussion of Heinlein and Hubbard (and the religion that evolved from that to make up for the lack of income that being a writer gives you) and also after reading in Wikipedia that this Card series was based on the Book of Mormon and also because it was available in the local library and also because I really enjoyed Enders Game -- I read it.

Reading this series built up my tolerance so that I would be able to later read Song of Fire and Ice.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is pretty much your average, standard, run of the mill scifi. It's full of people struggling with the concept of time, sentient computers whose humanity is in question, gadgets, and bizarre explanations of fantasy schemes based on pseudo-scientific principles applied in sparse enough portions to seem almost plausible.

[Aksum Oak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself absorbed into the characters and universe of this book series soon after starting it for the first time.
If you’re okay with a book that’s highly influenced by Mormonism then I’d give it a chance.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Homecoming Series is based the story of Lehi and others in the Book of Mormon.

[Curtis Schofield · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christmas gift from my mother - delightful and imaginative - years later I realized it was the same author as Enders game - two profoundly different books.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a pretty food series. there were aspects of enders game in the story.

[Ibbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK