Ender in Exile 507
stoolpigeon writes "Orson Scott Card's work Ender's Game began as a novelette, which he says he wrote as a means of leading up to the full story he had developed, Speaker for the Dead. Ender's Game was published as a full novel in 1985, and won the Hugo and Nebula awards (as did Speaker for the Dead in '86 and '87). I think it is safe to say that Ender's Game is ensconced in its position as a science fiction classic. Now, 23 years later, Card has finished the first direct sequel to Ender's Game in his new novel Ender in Exile."
Keep reading for the rest of JR's review.
While Speaker for the Dead was published right after Ender's Game, there is a huge gap in time between the two stories. Due to the effects of traveling at close to light speed, thousands of years pass between the two novels. Chapter fifteen of Ender's Game does give an explanation of the events that fill that time. Card also went on to write other novels set in the Ender universe that do not involve Ender directly but rather other students from the battle school and family. This makes Ender in Exile more of a 'midquel', a term Card uses in the afterword, than a sequel. Because of this, from a high level view of the plot, readers who have stuck with the saga will not find much new here. This is a closer look at events already related in other books for the most part. | Ender in Exile | |
| author | Orson Scott Card |
| pages | 377 |
| publisher | Tor Books |
| rating | 7 |
| reviewer | JR Peck |
| ISBN | 978-0765304964 |
| summary | A good midquel in the Ender's series |
Card is an able author and this story is solid. Much of it reminded me of some of my favorite classic science fiction. There is colonization, extended periods of life aboard space ships, discovery of alien civilization and not much in the way of hard science. Card's primary purpose is to analyze and consider the human condition as opposed to exploring technological possibilities or theories. Almost everything that is highly advanced is the result of alien technology and is never explained or understood. Much of it functions on an almost mystical or magical level.
Ender is a young adolescent with an incredibly unique life and mind. In this novel we see him transitioning and growing from a youth into a man. I was often reminded of Herbert's Paul Atreides when he was first on the run in the desert with his mother in the book Dune. Ender is aware that he is different and has amazing capabilities but he is unsure just what the full ramifications of that difference are. He is trying to find his place in humanity and in the universe as a whole.
The story encompasses four basic plot lines that flow one to the next. I never felt any great sense of urgency or climax and resolution in the story. Really what it felt like was a thread weaving together pieces from the earlier stories. While the themes and issues were great, sometimes the characters were remote or the working of the issues very subtle. The most impacting and emotional moments relied upon knowledge of events from the other books in the series to carry their full force. In that light the novel is very effective. I think that fans of the Ender series, already biased towards this work, are going to be very pleased and enjoy Ender in Exile greatly. They are going to get to dig just a bit deeper into this world and it's primary character Andrew Wiggin. They will enjoy moments of discovery and the answer to questions that may have been in the back of their minds, possibly for the last twenty years or so.
On the other hand, someone new to the series may not be as enthralled and may find the story to be a bit flat. If I could I would rate this book in two ways. For those who have not read all the other Ender books, a 6 or 7. This is not bad since the book is designed to sit in the middle of an existing set of tales. It is possible that someone could pick this book up without having read a single Ender story or novel and track with it. I think they would even find it interesting if a little flat. But for a fan of the series with a high degree of familiarity with the characters and events of this world it is probably a solid 8 or 9. At the very least, Card has done nothing to tear down what he has built up but has completed a sturdy addition to the body of work.
In the afterword Card has some interesting comments to make about reader involvement in helping him to write this story. He also explains how he would like to approach some discrepancies between this story and what is related at the conclusion to Ender's Game. I thought it was a sign of the times that an author, facing a large and complex world he had created but could not track on his own, was able to use the internet to call upon readers assistance in achieving as much consistency as possible.
This is a thoughtful, well written book. It may even motivate some to dig up an old copy of Ender's Game so that they can relive the enjoyment of a classic and see what is new to find. I think that most will not be disappointed. Some may not be as thrilled as they would hope, but there is something here for any science fiction fan.
On a side note, in conjunction with the release of this new book, Marvel Comics is doing a limited series comic adaptation of the original Ender's Game novel.
You can purchase Ender in Exile from amazon.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:5, Insightful)
Yeah, kinda peaked at Speaker for the Dead, went downhill since. Cue XKFD comic but I'll let someone else whore for that karma.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:0, Insightful)
Ender's game was never good.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:3, Insightful)
How we respond to technology (Score:5, Insightful)
I always thought this was the point. In science fiction, the high technology is a plot device and how our interaction with said device describes aspects of human behavior is the story. I do not need to know how a technological fountain of youth works. I just need to know it makes people young again and requires something of a high cost personal cost, say the ability to feel love. How society treats the creator of this device, whether people who refuse to use it are ostracized by society, do people who use the machine experience regret? The dilithium crystal configuration of the device is irrelevant compared to those aspects of the story.
Just my two cents.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm sorry but you need to put down the crack pipe NOW!. It is common knowledge that Xenocide and children of the mind where the worse. Speaker for the dead was the best of the books after Enders Game and Ender's Game was the best and should have stood alone. There should only one and all that jazz.
We won't even bother with the shadow books. Books that never should have been written.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't really get it... I mean ok, even if you really think he is a mega-douche, why stop reading his books? Does that really do anything positive? Does somebody who has an opinion that you disagree with really offend/startle/upset/whatever you so much that you can't read anything they've written? I personally feel this is a big problem with our society today--somebody's political beliefs are enough to earn them boycotts, scorn, hate, risk their jobs, etc. Of course you as a free individual have every right to do whatever you want to do--including boycotting Orson Scott Card--but I just think our society should take a collective chill pill!
I can see not BUYING more of his books, though at this point he's got so much money he could never sell another book and be ok, so it's a somewhat futile action, but I guess that matters..
There are a ton of authors, actors, musicians, etc who I think are moronic halfwits when it comes to politics. I think the same thing about some of my friends and family too! I get past it. Douche though they may be, I couldn't care less what their political opinions are when it comes to listening to their music or reading their books. Why do you have to be in ideological lockstep with an author to enjoy their works?
Apologies if I'm somehow misinterpreting your post...?
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:5, Insightful)
you can enjoy someone's work without condoning their lifestyle... grow up.
I believe an important part of growing up is taking the bigger picture into account, and deciding who and what we support based on more than just our immediate personal result.
Just because he thinks different than you doesn't make his books any less enjoyable.
Personally, for me it does. I never got around to checking out Card's workt though it's often been recommended to me by those who know my tastes, but if one of his books were put in my hand now I'd see the name of a man who has seen fit to loudly classify many of my family and friends as second-class citizens.
My money and time is best spent elsewhere.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:4, Insightful)
Why? As a single consumer, I have very little power in the economy. But my one ability is to not patronize those I disagree with. It has very little overall effect, but it is my only effect.
Orson Scott Card is a homophobe and douche? His life's work is meaningless to me.
Tom Cruise supports an oppressive regime? I don't need his films.
Owners of local BBQ place talking about how social safety nets are bullshit and a gun and your own wits are all you need (because nothing bad ever happens to you out of your control) and how in an ideal world they could just shoot all the corrupt *local* politicians that make them charge sales tax and pay for library bonds? I won't eat there again. (And they should learn to keep their political views to themselves while patrons are in their restaurant, unless they wish to only cater to their nutball crowd.)
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't blame him. According the article, Card said some pretty hateful things, and seems to have some ideologies that could really damage America's future. Personally, I still might read the new book, but it might be a purchase that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
What about all of the music we enjoy? Most musicians do things that many people don't condone.
While doing drugs and engaging in rampant promiscuity are things I don't really condone, inciting hatred, bigotry, ignorance, and possible violence is on a whole other level. I can't think any musicians that I listen to who provoke such horrible things.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:3, Insightful)
You are free to do so at your leisure. You will notice I didn't urge anyone to do the same. I was merely voicing my opinion.
As for "growing up", please go drink some Drano. This guy has a louder voice than most *because* he is wealthy thanks to people who buy his books, and he's using that voice to advocate hatred of people who do not share his values, all snuggled up in a nice Christian delivery blanket for the mainstream to gobble up.
Perhaps you have no friends or family members who are gay. I do. And I respect them a hell of a lot more than I respect people like Scott Card or you.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:4, Insightful)
As you can tell from the UID, I've been using that name for a long time. I picked that name when signing up for slashdot in the nineties. I was reading Ender's Game at the time.
A decade later, I would like to change the name, but I don't want to lose the karma and the low UID :-(
But as a onetime fan of Card's work, I am saddened to learn that he shares much in common with groups like the Taliban.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:3, Insightful)
My money and time is best spent elsewhere.
cf. L. Ron Hubbard's science fiction.
I don't know how much of Orson Scott Card's money goes toward directly supporting his political causes, but we know that it is at least possible for money spent on science fiction books to go toward agendas that we might otherwise oppose completely.
don't remember anything of the sort (Score:2, Insightful)
Ender's game was never good.
Amen, brother. One of the lamest books of all time. When it won the Hugo and Nebula I realized that those awards no longer meant anything.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:5, Insightful)
It isn't so much about 'preachy-ness' as it is about 'propaganda-ness'. In the Shadow series, for instance, we have the homosexual character of Anton. He is not in any way evil, Card doesn't ask us to fear or hate him as you might expect from a right wing writer.
Instead (and arguably worse), when we are first introduced to Anton we are asked to pity him. He is given a ludicrously strong cognitive dissonance to ham handedly symbolize the dissonance that Card assumes the man must have because of his lifestyle. He is utterly lonely and unhappy, and it is heavily implied that he has considered suicide as the only option to end his suffering.
Later in the story, Anton has *gasp* married. No, not to a man, but to a woman. In fact he is going to be a father. He is happy, talkative, and engaging. He mentions in passing that his homosexual tendancies have made his marriage harder but that with work they are able to get through it and live a full and happy life.
In my opinion, this is a more disgusting attack on gay rights than any violent diatrabe could ever be.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:3, Insightful)
There is a finite amount of time until I die. I'm not going to spend hours of my life reading something written by an outspoken bigot. There is something else out there that is just as good if not better written by someone who doesn't have opinions I strongly disagree with.
We all pick and choose what we will read, watch, listen to based on a number of criteria such as storyline, genre, actors, directors, or any number of other factors. I just add things like known bigot to that list of factors.
Anything I can do to narrow down the very very long list of books I still want to read then that helps me to spend my time more effectively.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:3, Insightful)
If I refused to read, watch, or listen to books, movies, or music from people who were massive douches, I'd be left with almost nothing.
There are almost certainly authors, directors, software companies, and the like that are providing significant financial support to causes you hate. But they're not as outspoken about it. Your little boycott isn't a boycott against being a douche, it's a boycott about being outspoken in your douchiness.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:5, Insightful)
Honestly, I think you're reading things into the books that aren't there. I never got the implication that Anton was suffering for any propagandized reason, or that he was gay for that matter. I certainly didn't think that it was odd that a lonely man would be happy when he had a family to keep him company, that's how anyone who had experienced years of loneliness would react.
I can't help but feel that this is someone reading into the book what they want to read into it, which is what I find, 9/10 times, is at fault when people talk about the author being preachy about his/her values. I just didn't see any evidence for the claims you make in Card's books.
*sigh* you're worse than homophobes (Score:5, Insightful)
Why?
Ask the writer of the article that question, since I was referencing his opinion.
Orson Scott Card is a homophobe and douche? His life's work is meaningless to me.
Because he has opinions you don't like, his work's meaningless? That doesn't sound overly harsh/condemning to you? Card has many openly homosexual characters in his books, and I can't think of a single one that's a villain.
You, on the other hand, can't stand that he thinks homosexuality is wrong and speaks out about it, therefore anything he does is tainted. Congratulations, sir, you've successfully demonized people on the other side of the argument and made intelligent, rational discourse nearly impossible.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:4, Insightful)
Ender's Game is yet another run-of-the-mill sci-fi novel
yes, perhaps if it was published today. But when it was published, there was nothing else like it. So, perhaps you should brush up on your sci-fi history.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:1, Insightful)
And you're using your voice (however insignificant it may be on teh intarwebs) to advocate the hatred of someone who does not share your values, all snuggled up in a nice "tolerant" delivery basket for the liberal to gobble up.
Perhaps you have no friends or family members who are ACTUALLY tolerant of dissenting people and opinions. I do, and while we often disagree with each other and others, I respect them and their right to express their views.
I respect them a hell of a lot more than I respect the people who champion a view or cause, and blindly demonize those who oppose it with no arguments aside from "they're wrong", "they're bigots", "they're evil". This is often done under the false name of tolerance, freedom, equality, etc., while labeling others as homophobes (a completely incorrect usage of the term) or bigots (again, incorrect, and often more correctly applied to those championing a view or cause).
People will disagree with you, often for reasons you think are illogical, hateful, and just wrong.
You will disagree with people, often for reasons they think are illogical, hateful, and just wrong.
You have every right to say what you want about Card, but realize that what you're saying is hypocritical (you're arguing against him expressing his opinion, or at least that it's unfair because he's rich) and bigoted (you completely dismiss his views without so much as a conversation with the man).
"Hypocrisy" and "bigotry" are two of the most common turds liberals throw at conservatives. Look at your hands and I think you'll find they're pretty much covered in shit.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:2, Insightful)
Hyperbole--excusing poor thinking since 4004 B.C.
History Repeats Itself? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:flamebait (Score:3, Insightful)
eligion a fantasy (which may be true, but as many people forget, may not be true either, so there's not even a basis in fact for this claim)
And bigfoot might not live under my bed--but he also just might, as well! There's no basis of fact for either of these claims, right?
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:2, Insightful)
Both Card and the Taliban want to use militancy and the state to force their religious practices on everyone. How is that hyperbole?
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:4, Insightful)
Gods don't kill people, people with gods kill people.
Sig well done. I think I already subscribe to your newsletter.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:4, Insightful)
But as a onetime fan of Card's work, I am saddened to learn that he shares much in common with groups like the Taliban.
When I found out about Card's personal views I was pretty surprised. I agree that they're fairly extremist views, and I pretty much disagree with him in every way.
However I don't really see the hate toward his books. I see all these posts saying that his books are advertisements for his religion, his anti-gay views, whatever. I don't think he's doing that. In fact, it's pretty hard to reconcile his pro-war views with the pain Ender felt when he discovered his own wargames were part of an actual war.
I will agree that his books are somewhat colored by his views, but you can't expect an author to do otherwise. The best sci-fi is a comment on society, and it has to end up being the author's comment on society. If you were to sit down and write a book, your hero would form decisions that agreed with your morals. He's the good guy, he has to do what you think the good guy would do. Feel free to disagree with the man on his personal views (I do), but judge his work on its own merits. If you liked Ender's Game once, there's no reason to start disliking it because you found out something about the author that you didn't know before.
I like Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead (the only two I've read). If I were to criticize them for something, it would be for the somewhat amateurish writing style (in my opinion). I don't see what makes them so cult worthy among so many awesome sci-fi novels, but they're pretty good.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:2, Insightful)
I never said I "hated" him, I said I wasn't going to buy his books. As a consumer, that's the only way for me to say "hey, I think you're full of shit".
There is nothing hypocritical about it. Hypocritical would be my little economic embargo paired with a loud call to burn his Mormon church down to the ground and prosecute everyone in it for being different to Catholics.
And you would be surprised at how tolerant gays are, in my experience. They can hardly afford to be hateful when all they want is to be left alone.
I can see why you checked "Post anonymously" here - I thought no one could be this stupid. You proved me wrong.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:3, Insightful)
I realize we left the realm of rational thought behind a while ago, and are now waging fan warfare (I'm ok with this, it's fun, but one has to recognize it for what it is ;)), but I do feel compelled to make a serious point here: just because more people agree with you than me doesn't make you right, and me wrong. Art being a subjective medium, tastes in art can't be wrong or right.
No, but being a subjective medium means that appeals to consensus are much more useful than idiosyncratic opinions. If I'm trying to figure out what movie to watch, knowing that a lot of people consider the Godfather to be a great film is more likely to get me to watch it than one person saying that Weekend at Bernie's II was better.
The individual opinion is useful, though, if:
a) I have some reason to think that person's taste is more aligned with my own than popular consensus (e.g. I know a lot of other stuff they like and dislike, and what appeals to them seems akin to what appeals to me); or
b) They offer a compelling explanation as to why they have their preference, and that explanation seems to coincide with my own foibles;
c) They are offering up a little-known example such that there isn't much consensus about its quality.
There should probably be more entries on this list, but those are the 3 that immediately come to mind.
Re:Hey, remember when Ender's Game was good? (Score:5, Insightful)
His position is simple: the government does not get to redefine "marriage" any more than it gets to redefine "day" and "night."
And yet, the definition of marriage has certainly changed over the years. Without dogpiling on the Mormons more, feel free to read the Bible/Torah/Koran and count how many wives people have. Next, count how many wives men in America are allowed now.
Or, look back to less than a hundred years ago when white people in America couldn't marry black people.
Every time the issue has been brought to a vote, the overwhelming majority of Americans do not support gay marriage.
Discounting your 'overwhelming majority' for the moment...
Sixty years ago, the 'overwhelming majority' of Americans did not support interracial marriage. The courts, correctly, intervened to prevent the tyranny of the majority.
In fifty years, kids will be taught in school that gay people didn't used to be able to marry, and they're going to wonder how anyone could deny such an obvious human right the same way we wonder how anyone could have ever opposed interracial marriage, women's suffrage, or the end of slavery. The future is always on its way and it's not on your side.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:5, Insightful)
You may not have noticed this but we're awfully keen on J. R. R. Tolkien around here.
Re:don't remember anything of the sort (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, you not liking a book a bunch of other people like is clear proof that there's something wrong with all those other people. There is no other possible explanation.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:3, Insightful)
Owners of local BBQ place talking about how social safety nets are bullshit and a gun and your own wits are all you need (because nothing bad ever happens to you out of your control) and how in an ideal world they could just shoot all the corrupt *local* politicians that make them charge sales tax and pay for library bonds? I won't eat there again. (And they should learn to keep their political views to themselves while patrons are in their restaurant, unless they wish to only cater to their nutball crowd.)
Your g*ddamned right, how dare they have an opinion? How dare they express themselves? They should learn to be more like you and your enlightened crowd. I can't wait till we are all in ideological lockstep...differing opinions really suck and are offensive. Must have been a tough visit to that restaurant.
Oh yeah, ban all bumperstickers and yard signs--they show differences in opinion which should not be allowed.
Boycotting Card (Score:3, Insightful)
"I believe an important part of growing up is taking the bigger picture into account, and deciding who and what we support based on more than just our immediate personal result."
You realize, of course, that you're basically making the same argument that the social conservatives you so loathe are making... that there can be no co-existence with the other side, and the only answer is to boycott and blacklist their work.
Re:*sigh* you're worse than homophobes (Score:2, Insightful)
While intolerance is Bad, meta-intolerance is Just Fine. And it's a good disguise for regular intolerance! See, if there's a group you don't like, you find some stereotypical view they hold that you can label as intolerant. Then hate away! Don't feel bad, they're intolerant, it's allowed.
Re:Gay 'marriage'... (Score:3, Insightful)
"You and I are here because our parents had sex, not because they were married, as many children born out of wedlock are every day. How does gay marriage threaten continued heterosexual reproduction?"
It doesn't, never suggested it did. But it does weaken the definitions of normalcy and family at a time they need to be strengthened. Sorry, but it's true, homosexuals are in the minority. Humanity may breed homosexuals, but it certainly does not encourage the creation of them in the same way a healthy virus will be sure not to overkill it's victims.
For instance, I have a young son. The LAST thing I would wish for him is to be homosexual. Not for the reason you probably think (because I will love him no matter WHAT he becomes), but because it's a hard life, and not fun being on the outer edge of society. No amount of can-banging and church gankings are going to change the basic facts of family, procreation, and marriage.
"Not seeing how gay marriage poses any threat to the continuation of the species...."
Again, you are missing the point, probably purposely. The point isn't necessarily procreation, but it's the legal and societal recognition of that unique distinction that men and women have.
Society defines what is 'normal' and clearly, most members of our society have decided that gay 'marriage' is NOT normal. Defining 'gay marriage' the way you want IS unique, but it is NOT progressive in any sense other than providing rights for partners, and I was already pretty clear on where I stand on that (civil unions).
And just why isn't that enough? Why must homosexuals force themselves and their lifestyle on the rest of us trying to raise families without the very definition of that being called into constant question? Today it's the gays, who knows what tomorrow will bring? There will be NO defense if the initial definition is weakened to the point of meaninglessness.
This isn't about some sort of civil right, this is about forcing an agenda on people who DO NOT WANT.
I know that goes against your particular 'religion', but that's the way it is.
"If you don't have a problem with gay couples having access to a legal arrangement that's functionally identical to marriage, then why do you have a problem with using the word "marriage" to describe it?"
Why must you take yet another word, if not institution, and claim it as your own? We let 'gay' go, why should we redefine 'marriage' as well? It is what it is, and what it is not is two people of the same sex coming together.
"What should those gay people have done in California? Not gotten married because they might be involuntarily divorced by referendum later on?"
Oh please, I weep not for homosexuals in California - ESPECIALLY in California. I'm sure they can handle it just fine. My guess is they have more rights than heteros do there.
I notice you failed to comment on the rantings, can-bangings, and church crashings. How is this helping 'the cause'?
By the way, I very much respect that you haven't turned this discussion into a joke. I've rarely been able to have this civil a discussion on this subject with anyone on the other side of it. It usually dissolves into name-calling and accusing the other side of either being right-wing, homophobic gay bashers or lefty communist child stalkers.
Re:Nope, sorry (Score:2, Insightful)
Where in the quote does he say he would use physical means?
Re:known troll, mod down. (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm an unabashed snob and severe critic. I think the ridiculous idea that all things are of equal value needs to be rebutted early and often. But I'm not a troll. And I've been on Slashdot posting on a wide variety of issues for a long time.