Book Review: Ender’s Game
Quite honestly I have been wanting to share some thoughts on books I read, movies I watch, series, art, poems, entering that may successfully make an impression on me.
Recently I started commuting longer than usual due to a severe bad traffic and among the things that I’ve found myself doing for entertainment, it’s audiobooks. The most recent one, just finished yesterday, was “Speaker of the Death”, by Orson Scott Card. It left a deep impression on me and I will be talking about it, but I feel it wouldn’t be fair to talk about it before mentioning my ideas on the first book of the saga: “Ender’s Game”.
I don’t know how many of you may have had a similar experience than me, but I read the book way after the movie came out. I remember watching the movie in the theater, as a science fiction battle story appealing to children since children were, after all, the protagonists of the story. I remember liking it a lot, specially the CGI, pretty good back then I would say. However, the movie left me confused at the end, like something was missing.
It wasn’t after a long time that I found the book and started reading, like actually reading it. I devoured that book in a week. I remember thinking how inferior the movie was to the book the more I read it. And eventually, I realized how the movie could have never reached the same level or storytelling that the book presented. The characters had all a deeper background, stronger and more appealing characteristics, the story unfold the same yet so differently that I realized when I was wondering why they never made a second movie, how impossible it would have been because the first movie didn’t cover enough to respect the myriad of ideas presented and exposed.
I remember seeing myself in Ender at the beginning, understanding his point of view, hating how everything was being moved around him according to others’ desires and ambitions. then I stopped thinking that. I started feeling sorry for him, feeling his pain, his solitude, his lack of trust, and at the very end, his sorrow. So so much he went through, and it had only started.
i recommend this book wholeheartedly to whoever likes science fiction, good story telling, and philosophy, as it manages to mix everything and make you wonder once and again what's good and bad, right or wrong, just or unfair, and, at the very end… those who know, know, and those who will read it, will realize.
Thank you for assisting to my small review!
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Building on my initial thoughts, I wanted to dive a bit deeper into why 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card truly stands out as a landmark in science fiction. Beyond just a gripping plot, Card crafts a universe that's both vast and intensely personal, filled with moral complexities that stick with you long after the final page. It’s not just a story about battling aliens; it’s a profound exploration of leadership, isolation, and the heavy burden of responsibility placed on young shoulders. For anyone curious about what makes this book a classic, it perfectly encapsulates several genres: military sci-fi, coming-of-age, and even philosophical fiction. The way it tackles themes of child psychology, the ethics of war, and the blurred lines between right and wrong is simply masterful. I found myself constantly questioning the decisions made and the consequences faced, particularly by Ender Wiggin himself. His struggles with empathy, even for his enemies, and the sheer weight of expectation on him, are what make his character so compelling. You truly feel his isolation and the internal battles he fights, which for me, are even more intense than the space battles. It's no wonder fans often seek out Ender Wiggin quotes – his insights into humanity and conflict are timeless. Speaking of immersion, if you’re like me and enjoy consuming stories in different formats, experiencing 'Ender's Game' as an audiobook is an absolute must. The narration brings a whole new dimension to the characters and the intense atmosphere of the Battle School. Imagine hearing the strategic brilliance and emotional turmoil unfold through a full cast performance – it adds layers to the already rich narrative, making the experience even more vivid. It truly transports you into that dark space background, surrounded by advanced structures and the looming threat from another planet, just like the striking imagery I've seen associated with the book. Orson Scott Card's ability to create such a cohesive and thought-provoking universe is what kept me coming back for more, eventually leading me to 'Speaker for the Dead' and beyond. 'Ender's Game' isn't just a standalone novel; it's the gateway to a sprawling 'Enderverse' that delves into humanity's future, our interactions with other species, and the very essence of what it means to be human. If you loved the philosophical questions posed in this book, you'll find even more to ponder as the series progresses. It’s a testament to Card’s storytelling that he can weave such intricate plots with deep philosophical underpinnings, making you reflect on universal questions of justice, compassion, and survival. This truly is a book that stays with you, prompting introspection long after you've closed its cover (or finished listening!).
