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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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In Stock |
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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Eric Villoria (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Out of all of the books that I've read, Ender's Game is by far the hardest novel to put down. From beginning to end, it has a captivating, and very real (though most would consider it a sci-fi) nature to it. Even as there are many characters who seem to be almost completely opposite, you often find yourself able to almost completely relate to them. Personally, this is the only piece of literature that I've been able to see myself in the main character's position, and really feel the experience first-hand so distinctively, that, contrary to any other story, not once did I hesitate about a decision made, thought expressed, or word spoken, and say to myself that I would have acted differently, or thought otherwise.
The basic plot of this story is that the human race is in danger, entering the third war against an alien race. Assumingly due to population reasons, every family is limited to two children, by law. The Wiggin's family however, is an exception. The government monitored their children to see if they could fulfill the role of a perfect fleet commander, as Mazer Rackham from the previous war had. The first two children were almost perfect, but the first, Peter, was too selfish and powerful, and the second, Violet, was too compassionate, so they persuaded the family to have a "Third", Ender, who was just what they were looking for. They send him off to Battle school, where he proved to be a military genius. The problem was that when it came to reality, he didn't like the thought of killing or harming others, although he was often forced into the situation; and to say the least, he was good at it. His teachers and mentors were aware of this, so throughout the story, even though they care for Ender, in order to rescue the human race, they feel obligated to manipulate and shape him in a way that would preserve his creativity, and motivation to continue on the path that he has already began to take.
One of the main themes that Orson Scott Card depicted in this book, was the idea of a game. As humanity struggles in it's war against the alien "buggers", everything, in a sense, is viewed as nothing more than a game. When Ender is sent off to Battle School, the majority of the combat training is taught through games. The reason that Ender is considered so special and important is that he has the rare ability to analyze his enemy and create strategy that ensures his victory consistantly. However, as he is able to understand his enemy he gains compassion for them, and in reality his victory is his last resort. When the time comes where his skills are needed, the officials convince him that it is just a game, as if it were his final test in Battle school.
Another important theme to consider is that of compassion vs. ruthlessness. As these are the two extremes that prevented Peter and Violet from being chosen for Battle School, you can see the traits conflict with each other from within Ender, as he is necessarily balanced between them. This is not just limited to Ender though. As the officials in the government and at Battle School see it necessary to be ruthless with Ender, they are compassionate with him and loathe the fact that they are obligated to do so, in the same way that Ender feels about defeating his enemies.
Overall, this is a rare book that underneath the story, asseses human nature in the deepest way. One that brings out real feelings that makes the rest of the story a giant metaphor for any situation that would reach us in the same way. This is most efficiently expressed in Card's message that, in a way, reality is a game that we all play, and the reality this novel contains, is Ender's Game. |
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James DeWitt (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
This novel started out as a short story in the August 1977 issue of Analog. Which was where I first read it. Talk about intense. Not until 1985 was it expanded to a novel. And the story has been carried forward through at least seven more books and a few short stories. Card won the Nebula and Hugo in back-to-back years, the only science fiction writer to do so. And the simple fact that there are so many reviews of Ender's Game requires a thoughtful look.
First, it's not great writing. Even Card admitted, in the introduction to the 1991 edition (and rewrite) that it wasn't very good writing. The plot is pretty good though, and the characters are memorable. Despite some wooden bits, parts of the book are gripping. And the surprise ending - if it still a surprise to anyone - has always given the plot some extra electricity. But the book is not without its critics.
Second, I think it's morally suspect. John Kussell, in a thoughtful 2004 essay, takes serious issue with Card's creation of an "innocent killer." Kussell shows how the reader is manipulated by Card and the characters he writes into sympathy for Ender. Keep in mind Ender commits two homicides and and a xenocide - the extinction of an entire intelligent race - in the course of the story. Does innocence excuse homicide?
Third, I worry about the message of the book. Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is a physically gifted genius, genuinely the best the human race can produce. And he gets to murder with impunity. How many megalomaniacal teenagers will read that message wrongly?
Lastly, I found the novel to be oddly less intense than the short story. The novel feels "stretched" in places, with additional plots loosely stitched on to fill up the pages. The additional bits are interesting, and sometimes compelling, but the overall effect is reduce the overwhelming force of the 1977 short story.
Still, the book remains amazingly popular 20 years on, and I understand it is required reading at The Marine University in Quantico, Virginia. I politely disagree with the many reviewers here who call it the best science fiction book ever, but I think it is among the 50 best. I also disagree with those who dismiss the book out of hand. The book has been too popular for too long to dismiss with literary snobbery.
Good ideas (some borrowed from other writers), a good, even compelling plot, good characterization and adequate writing. Recommended, especially to younger readers. You can find the short story on-line by Googling the book title if you'd like to see how it started... |
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Mathew Swope (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
When I first read this 5 years ago, a friend told me it was a "kid's book". If that's true, then either I remain a kid at heart or I just love kid's books.
While this story revolves around child characters, albeit incredibly intelligent & gifted children, it has a depth which can appeal to all ages. The characters seem to come alive and they draw you in to make this story land on a personal level. Perhaps we cannot relate exactly to the unique circumstances of this book, but we can all relate on some level.
Ender's battle tactics and novel solutions to ever more complex challenges that stop most of his peers were intriguing. And the inter-relations of Ender with his class-mates is fascinating and feel very real for anyone who attended middle-school, participated in sports, or interacted with other children between the ages of 6 and 15.
While that was interesting, my favorite aspects were the family themes that played out inside Ender's memory and self-examination. Is he more like Peter? Is he more like Valentine? Ultimately, that isn't a matter of fate, but rather a matter of choice. In the end, we discover that the three of them each contain a bit of the others.
Without giving any spoiler, the Demosthenes/Locke sub-plot was also a pleasant surprise and nice change of pace from the Training School. I was reminded of the Japanese manga "Sanctuary" - where two friends seek to restore their homeland to a safe place, free of corruption but utilize different avenues to reach the same goal - one uses politics & intrigue, while the other uses violence and the criminal underworld.
Card makes a point of drawing the reader's attention to the motivation of his characters. Each one must be judged in the context of their individual situation and background. This doesn't excuse responsibility, but does provide understanding. The Buggers, Ender's older brother Peter, even the Xenocide itself are understood differently and, in some cases, even re-conceptualized altogether as we come to know more about each of them.
The last few chapters culminate in a fascinating change in momentum, including the closure of one door in life and the opening of doors to a new one.
By traditional standards of age, Ender remains a child throughout most of the book. But Ender's adult life springs directly from his childhood experiences on Earth and in the training school. This lays the groundwork for the man he becomes and the life he chooses in subsequent novels in this series. |
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1 2 Total 2 pages 13 items |
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