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Ender's Game (Ender, Book 1) (平装)
by Orson Scott Card
| Category:
Sci-Fiction, Fiction |
| Market price: ¥ 98.00
MSL price:
¥ 88.00
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MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A fast-paced sci-fi fantasy based solidly in the near future, Card’s masterpiece is an absolute classic. |
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AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 13 items |
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The New York Times (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Intense is the word for Ender's Game. Aliens have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses - and then training them in the arts of war... The early training, not surprisingly, takes the form of 'games'… Ender Wiggin is a genius among geniuses; he wins all the games... He is smart enough to know that time is running out. But is he smart enough to save the planet? |
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Booklist (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Card has taken the venerable sf concepts of a superman and interstellar war against aliens, and, with superb characterization, pacing and language, combined them into a seamless story of compelling power. This is Card at the height of his very considerable powers - a major sf novel by any reasonable standards. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
In 1985, Orson Scott Card made his major debut with Ender's Game. It remains one of my favorite books after years of reading other books. I first read Ender's Game in my eighth grade English class. One of my best friends said he had read it and it was an amazing book, which was surprising. It turned out that he was right. It won the Hugo and Nebula Awards and many others, is being made into a movie, and has a substantial following.
The book follows Ender "Andrew" Wiggin, childhood genius, his peers, adults, and more. I do not want to give anything away, because part of the novel's fun is accomplishment when you figure out what a term means or what is actually going on in the world Ender has been put into, but I'll tell you that the story is intricate and impressive. Because children are pure and fresh thinking, and because they have not been molded into anything yet, it is up to the government to train the brightest ones into war machines, so they can defeat the alien race called the "buggers." The brightest children are sent to train in an isolated space station. Ender, as it turns out, is one of these kids.
I was an apathetic reader until Ender's Game. Orson Scott Card puts you in the feet of a child genius, which undeniably made me feel good, and inspired me to read and write more frequently. His writing does not go out to impress, but it certainly does. People complain about vocabulary, as if that has a lot to do with someone's intelligence. The characters in Ender's Game have suitable vocabularies, and to complain about that is ridiculous. Card's writing is poignant and flowing. It is easy to read, hard to put down, and touching when you finally do put it down. The book is just all-in-all awesomeness. Escapism at its finest.
There are some minor faults in Ender's Game, though they do not detract too much, they might even add to the experience, they just seem like technicalities. Firstly, I do not like the big deal Graf makes about taking Ender to space. They suspect that he will be the messiah-esque figure, but do not immediately take him. No one else in the station is near his level, but they are reluctant to take him. Just the fact that they think he could be the one, is enough. He does not even have to be the one, as long as he is close. There are many kids in the station. They say his brother and sister tested out impossible when, compared to others in space, they were very suitable. They could have aided Ender well. They exceeded many in the station, especially when you read Ender's Shadow. That actually brings out another point. In Ender's Shadow, everyone wonders where Bean came from because he is such a genius. Everyone thinks that his parents must be geniuses and well known to breed such a child. A major motif in the novel is searching for his parents. For Ender, I wonder how Ender's parents made three genius children, one tame and weak (Valentine), one balanced (Ender), and one extreme and evil (Peter), but the parents are boring and unimportant. Even though Peter and Valentine are very gifted, I still wonder also how Locke and Demosthenes got so far in the political world. In addition, why are the adults so lacking? It seems so strange having such brilliant children at such a young age. Sure, it makes you feel good to be in the minds of these child geniuses, but it really does not make sense. Lastly, the descriptions of the battle room and battles are excessive at times. Still, these faults are not too great. I would give this book four and a half, but it is not possible. Anyway, these faults demonstrate how much I really care about the book to mind the faults. If it were a trashy book, I would not care enough to bother.
Ender's Game is a classic in all respects and must be read. I am a harsh reviewer, but I cannot deny this book's quality. I am off to read it again. |
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Silverman (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
A winner of multiple science fiction awards, its back cover says that the American Library Association listed it in "100 Best Books for Teens." I have nothing but respect for the association, but they're mistaken. It's good, make no doubt about that. Ender, a permitted `third' child in a world of childbirth limits, is removed from his parents' home to train in the hopes of becoming the great military leader that the powers that be feel is so badly needed. The character development is great for Ender and subtly strong for many secondary characters. The pacing is compelling. The future that Card creates is not unlike others, but is clear and well made. Truth be told at this point, I enjoyed it. I would, however, be very reluctant to lend it to a teenager.
To quote a different kind of authority: "What's done to children, they will do to society." - Karl A. Menninger, psychiatrist (1893-1990) I agree and it's what the book's adults do to Ender that makes me so wary of lending it. They model and act as if the ends justify the means. They often believe that misleading children is necessary for growth. They frequently overlook or tacitly encourage violence if it suits their purposes. They function on the premise that support and love are counterproductive to the growth they want. These are difficult enough concepts for an adult to be able to set aside as fiction, but they're entirely too challenging for a young mind to try to incorporate into a meaningful world. Those and the whole premise of the value of pre-emptive strike based on past actions and not current threats make a chilling package. The end does reveal some of the fallacies of those actions, and in some ways suggests that another ending, one which relied on cleverness and communication, would have not only been possible, but wiser and much more suitable to a young adult audience. I'd recommend it to an adult who has the wherewithal to cast a jaundiced eye on some portions of the tale, but would probably not recommend it to anyone below college age. |
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Mark (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
The main characters in the story Ender's Game are Ender, Peter and Valentine. The basic plot for Ender is to beat the problems given to him by the teachers, while Peter and Valentine try to spread the "truth" by using the Internet. The setting is at a "Battle School" in space. A problem Ender gets into is bullying. People bully him around because he's small, but he learns how to deal with it, sometimes in a violent way.
This book will teach you about intellectual perseverance, to keep trying. When I saw this book, it looked like a long book that had little promises. After I started reading it, I couldn't put the book down. It felt like I was Ender, facing all of his challenges. It told me that everyone would be human, in just about any situation, like when Ender hurt the boy bullying him, just so he'd stop taunting him. I learned that mostly everyone has someone they rely on, like how Ender relied on Valentine, but when that's taken away you will have to learn to rely on yourself. The length of paragraph and chapters is not just full of extra words and texts, but it presents wondrous pictures, especially about the Battle School since that's where most of the story takes place. I would recommend reading this book even if you aren't interested in science fiction. It will take your imagination and expand it in ways you never thought of. |
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Brian Bruzzo (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Ender's Game is by far the best science fiction novel I've ever read. Born in a time where a family is only allowed two children, the government asked his parents to have a third child (Ender) because of the genuis of the other two. They were looking for a child to train to command the international fleet, the worlds army and only protection from the dreaded Bugger aliens, who had already attacked earth twice. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggin's first child,Peter, had shown genius, but also a ruthlessness no one could tame, or even channel. Their second child, Valintine, had also showed genuis, but was to compassionate and soft hearted to lead an army to destroy a alien race. So the government allowed them a third child, Ender. he wasn't as rutless as his brother, nor as compassionate as his sister. perfect for leading an army. So they yanked out of his nice little life, put him on a space shuttle, and sent him to a space station, where he'd be trained to kill people and command people.
Though he loved his family(with the possible exception of his evil brother) and wanted to go home, his life at battle school was... interesting. The staff had split the school into armies, and in each army there was a commander, who appointed toon leaders. Each toon had about five soldiers. every week or so, two armies would "battle". This meant that they'd wear speacial space suits, get these little guns go into a room with no gravity, and shoot at the other team. When you got shot, your space suit froze up, making it impossible to move, until the battle was over. The commander told the toon leaders what his strategy was, and then they commanded their troops to fit the strategy.
Ender was promoted throgh the ranks, until they gave him his own army to command, and, after an impossibly long winning streak, the staff started changing the rules. When they fought, the enemy thawed after about a minute, but Ender still figuered out how to beat them.
He was getting really angry about the way the staff was cheating, when they sent him off to command school. At command school,he played a simulator that showed known strategies of the Buggers. He was told that, right after the second invasion the buggers mounted, they had launch a fleet towards the bugger home world, which would arrive there in five years. And he was also told of the ansamble, which is sort of like a really long distance phone, that transmitted info and images faster than the speed of light. It was through this machine that Ender would command the fleet 5 years from now. Then, he met Mazer Rackham, hero of the Second Invasion. He was told that from now on, he'd be playing against Mazer Rackham, instead of the computer in the simulater. and to help him, the captains serving under him were old friends from battle school. He won all the encounters, but something was wrong. This book is an action packed adventure and a sentimental story, depending on what you want. I highly recomend it to all boys and men, and some girls probably would like it to. Orson Scott Card makes it impossible to put down, and will get boys in trouble for reading past their bedtime, but it's definenitly worth it. As I said in the beginning, it's the best sci-fi I've ever read. I recommend to it to all audiences ages 9 and up. |
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Kyle Walker (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Just for frame of reference I am 15 and an avid reader, I read about 2-3 books a week depending on the size and I've got to say, this book is excellent. I actually heard about it in a forum and everyone was raving so I thought "I have to read this book." so I ordered up a copy off Amazon. I was suprised, it was definately one of my favorite books of all time.
It starts out very good from the perspective of Andrew(Ender) Wiggin, a very young, small, and extraordinary boy. He is tormented by his older brother Peter and loves his sister very much, Valentine. He has loving parents but everything is turned upside down when he gets a device (that monotors his every move) removed. His first day another kid starts bullying Ender with a bunch of his friends. Ender has great intelligence and realizes if he doesn't hurt this kid bad enough the rest of his "gang" will beat him up. He ends up accidently killing the kid.
He is then selected to enter a training program in space, little does he know he is their number one pick for the captain of the elite unit to kill another race called the Buggers. He is swept up into this extreme training and meets a lot of people along the way, he has some interesting conflicts as well.
Overall this book is written brilliantly by the master of Sci-Fi Orson Scott Card. The way he writes it you can really feel Enders pains and triumphs throughout the story. He also develops character very well, for supporting roles in this and later books in the series.
The best part of this book was the ending, it was like the ending of a book in the thriller genre. I loved it. I actually loved every minute of this masterpiece, finishing it in one day. I highly reccomend this novel to sci-fi fans or just the average reader. Oh and although it may seem to be for younger children due to the concept, parents don't be fooled it's a little violent for the average under 11 reader.
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Kyle Pratt (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
The plot, in broad terms is very simple, the Earth has been attacked and must defend itself so, the best young minds are selected and trained to command space fleets in battle. Orson Scott Card has said that the story started with the idea of the Battle Room, a sphere where three-dimensional, zero gravity warfare is relentlessly practiced. That room remains the heart of the story.
The character of Ender seemed real to me, along with his sister, Valentine, and their close relationship. Perhaps I have been fortunate with my family and friends but I found the character of Peter, their brother, too evil and vicious for me to accept.
Computers have evolved so quickly that they have been a problem for Science Fiction writers. How do you describe what a computer will be like in 100 years? Orson Scott Card, writing in 1985, has done well with his description of "desks" and the network at the battle school. However, his descriptions of other places in the book were often sketchy. Also, if you are not a fan of Science Fiction or you have never tried to understand how things work in outer space the descriptions of war games at the battle school might be hard to visualize.
While Card is a Mormon, this is not a religious or Christian story. There is some profanity and a few religious references that some might find offensive. But, as a lifetime reader of Science Fiction, I recommend Ender's Game to fans of the genre. It is a thought provoking and enjoyable read - and remember, "the enemy's gate is down. |
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Jesse Garner (MSL quote), China
<2007-01-11 00:00>
I found Ender's Game an exhilarating ride of a book, one that kept me pressing ahead chapter by chapter to see what would be revealed next, what would happen to Ender. Card does an excellent job setting a world that is normal enough to create empathy with the characters, yet strange enough to give a sense of unease to the reader. Immediately Ender became the character to cheer for because he is put through such abuse. His brother and sister initially seem to be opposites, but this changes as the story moves along.
Ender's sister, Valentine, vacillates morally throughout the book between the poles of "good" Ender and "bad" Peter, though these designations are much harder to deal with at the end when Peter is the herald of world peace and Ender is… not. I was unsatisfied with the development of Peter within the story (why did he change?) but Valentine was well fleshed out. Her ideas of emotional control over those around her are quite interesting and prove to be true.
The philosophy of Ender's Game is certainly attractive and in the same vein of much science fiction. Humanity can and will accomplish whatever it sets its mind to, including colonize the stars, as long as it can overcome the evil within itself. I found that Card does not overdo his insertion of philosophy into the novel at the cost of story. Masterfully, Card uses the standards of this genre to bring out some hard questions about evil's role within each human, ends justifying the means, and the decisions of popular opinion or secret power.
Favorite quotes:
"Humanity does not ask us to be happy. It merely asks us to be brilliant on its behalf. Survival first, then happiness as we can manage it."
"Welcome to the human race. Nobody controls his own life, Ender. The best you can do is choose to be controlled by good people, by people who love you." |
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C. Collins (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Is this is a book for high schoolers? I guess my high school was either not up to date or not cool enough. Unfortunately, high school reading in my formative years was wasted on junk like Summer of My German Soldier. Unlike the aforementioned, Ender's Game wastes no time with emotional teens, their misunderstanding parents and their unsteady crushes and needlessly conficted emotions. Instead a super genius of a six-year old is subjected to brain-implanted computer monitoring until unwittingly proving he is humanity's last great hope of salvation from impending doom in the form of brutal, telepathic insects and consequently sacrifices his childhood and early adolescence to the cause. I know it seems like stereotypical sci-fi at first, but science fiction is merely the setting. The author has quite acurrately penetrated the mind of the young. Childhood and all of its irrationality and severity is, sometimes painfully, recalled. One forgets that the protagonist is a child. But children, at least in my memory, are mostly not aware of being children at all. Childhood is something reflected upon in later years. Children live severely in the present, and especially here. But their surroundings are otherworldy in more than one sense. Every so often one is reminded that it is a child being pushed beyond childhood; what is fair and right for a child and into exploitation, duty to humanity and the misinderstanding eye of adults. There's no more accurate word for this book than intense. Maybe it seems more ridiculous reading this as an adult and a parent. The book is full of complicated, but never tedious battles against the insane, the adult, the extraterrestrial and most frighteningly, other kids. The battles are mental, physical and utimately philosophical. Beyond the unexpected climax of the story, a mystical and mysterious denoument leaves the reader sick, breathless, intrigued and a little unsteady. Can't wait to continue this series. |
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