The Modern Library 100 Best Novels Challenge discussion

Ender's Game

December 2009 - Post comments here.

I recently got this at the library, so I'll be starting it over Thanksgiving holidays...that's the plan!

It is interesting reading this book in which children are such adults. It shows certain parrallels to our own society. Do we as a society force children to grow up too quickly, or do we really underestimate them? Also, what are we willing to put others through in the name of some greater cause?

I have only had time to read about 1/4 of the book so far, but find it an easy read. For the others in this group that don't usually like sci-fi like me, let me say that one thing I like is that the story not full of made-up sci-fi terms and strange names. I'm liking it so far.

Lynn, you give me hope. I need to get this one from the library.

Here are my comments for the first 60 pages - no spoilers --- Andrew (aka "Ender") is a 6 year old at the start of the story, living with his parents and two siblings in a world where being a "Third" can be a crime or at least a huge embarrassment. (In the 1970's when this was written there was a big push to have families smaller. Everyone talked about "just replacing" themselves -- two children per couple -- because of overpopulation issues.) His birth was the result of genetic manipulation by the government which is training child geniuses to use as soldiers. Ender is sent to Battle School for military training.

Interestingly, this book was written in 1977, before PCs were around, but at school Ender plays what we today call video games on his "desk's top" which has a screen in it; able to constantly repeat scenes and move along through a created world. I know that computers were in existence and this probably wasn't such a leap of imagination, but it so much seems so 2009 to me, whereas in 1977 it was probably an amazing idea to readers. (At least it would have been to me, and I was a twenty-something.)

Shanna-mae wrote: "It is interesting reading this book in which children are such adults. It shows certain parallels to our own society. Do we as a society force children to grow up too quickly, or do we really underestimate them..."

I agree, Shanna-mae, it's been very interesting reading. I think in some societies children don't grow up until they are in their 20's, but then in Africa and the Middle East there are young children fighting wars and have been for many years. It is so sad to see this, but it is already happening in our world.

I can see how these bright children could come up with with they do in the battles -- just watch kids around you play strategic games -- they do that sort of thing all the time. Also, I don't think the children's language was overly precocious as my own son was using 3+ syllable words correctly pronounced and in context by the time he was 3 or so(unknowing adults would drop their jaws when this little one talked), so I know the conversation is definitely believable.

The adults are unashamedly using Ender and the other children to protect themselves. Though it is a "greater cause", I still think the use of children is inexcusable by anyone at anytime.

I was surprised somewhat by the ending, but after thinking about the story as a whole I guess the ending shouldn't have surprised me. It was in line with the rest of the story.

Has anyone read the Ender stories that follow? And are they as good, or as later stories sometimes do -- are they not quite as good? Is it worth reading them?

Lynn...a sci-fi fan convert?!?!

I haven't gotten this one from the library yet. I probably won't be reading the two selections until the end of the month.

Lynn, I've read all of them (several times). They are all good, and most can be read as stand alone books. Xenocide is pretty hard because he writes from the viewpoint of scientists on a colonized planet where an outbreak threatens humans, and thus the indigenous species since the humans want to eradicate them. He also introduces two "alien" cultures, but much like the story in Ender, there isn't a lot of confusing "sci-fi" terminology.
Another spinoff that is really good is Speaker for the Dead. You might want to read "Ender's Shadow". This is the story of the character, Bean in Ender's Game. It is a really good read, and re-tells a lot of Ender's Game, but from another viewpoint. It doesn't sound like it would be that good, but it really is as good or better than EG.

Stephanie Anne wrote: "Lynn...a sci-fi fan convert?!?! I haven't gotten this one from the library yet. I probably won't be reading the two selections until the end of the month. "

Oh no, Stephanie! The other books I've read in the genre will definitely keep me from being a convert. Maybe an occasional book convert, though?

Garlan wrote: "Lynn, I've read all of them (several times). They are all good, and most can be read as stand alone books. Xenocide is pretty hard because he writes from the viewpoint of scientists on a colonize..."

Thanks, Garlan. I might try some of them. He really is pretty easy to read for a sci-fi author! ;-)

I finished this one tonight. No new surprises since I've read this one several times before. It still a good read, and I recommend it to all who haven't read Card before. Its very accessible, even for non-scifi readers. Card also wrote a series before this that delved more into fantasy/alternate (America) world that was centered around a young protagonist. They were Red Prophet, Alvin Maker and Prentice Alvin. If you liked Ender's Game, and all the following books, you might enjoy this series as well.

I am ready to tackle another sci-fi book, and my hopes are high since everyone (including Lynn) is loving this one. I think I might even start it this weekend.

I started this one before bed last night, and I have to admit that I am already sucked into the story. I really like Ender and the challenges it looks like he is going to face in "school". We should have started with this one and worked our way up to Dune. :)

Haha, so true! This book was great!

This book is a much quicker read than Dune. I think I will finish it in the next couple of days. I am reading something like 6 other books right now. I have book ADD.

Wow, you would never guess based on that posting that I have a BS in English. All of those choppy sentences in a row. Fantastic. And a fragment thrown into this posting for good measure.

Jenn had to bow out of this group b/c she is swamped with a huge project right now, but she could back me up that once upon a time I could analyze and write the snot out of any book given to me. ;) We received our English degrees from the same phenomenal university. :)

Thanks, Stephanie. That takes the pressure off those of us who aren't nearly as well trained in the art of writing. Of course I thought the posting was fine.

Finished re-reading Ender's Game today. I didn't remember reading it until about a quarter of the way into it. I read it in high school, and thought the ideas were powerful then too. This time through I really noticed the theme and lessons about leadership.

Garlan wrote: "Lynn, I've read all of them (several times). They are all good, and most can be read as stand alone books. Xenocide is pretty hard because he writes from the viewpoint of scientists on a colonize..."

I have read Speaker of the Dead and Xenocide and have to say they were not in the same catagory as Ender's Game. I do however like Scotts writing when i sought out another of his stand alone books. I might try that other series. I just thought Ender's was so ahead of it's time that it was really good.

I have often heard that this is considered a YA book. I wonder what themes teachers pull out of this book. It has several different directions it could go.

I finally finished it! And I didn't hate it! Ender was a complex character and that is probably what I enjoyed most about the story. I still just can't get into the whole space/alien/rocket stuff.

Stephanie wrote: "I finally finished it! And I didn't hate it! Ender was a complex character and that is probably what I enjoyed most about the story. I still just can't get into the whole space/alien/rocket stuff. "

What I liked about the story was Ender himself and what he went through. I'm still not into sci-fi either, but Ender's story and the characters in it were pretty good.

I agree with you