Colonial Fleets

Colonial Fleets (http://www.colonialfleets.com/forums/index.php)
-   Galactica Cafe (http://www.colonialfleets.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6)
-   -   Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card? (http://www.colonialfleets.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17287)

monolith21 November 5th, 2009 12:52 AM

Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
I just finished the fourth in the series and I'm completely hooked! I'd rank Card up there with any of the greatest sci fi or fantasy writers. Amazing stuff! :thumbsup:

Dawg November 5th, 2009 07:29 AM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
You might get a shorter list by asking who hasn't.

"Enders Game" is a must-read for anyone who says they like science fiction.

I am
Dawg
:warrior:

Damocles November 7th, 2009 09:41 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
David Brin after OSC.

Dawg November 7th, 2009 09:55 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Damocles (Post 295070)
David Brin after OSC.

I respectfully disagree. Heinlein. Or Piper. Or McCaffrey, for that matter. What I've read of Brin hasn't had that "unforgettable" quality of these others, including Card.

But I still say "Enders Game" is one of the greatest sci-fi novels ever written.

I am
Dawg
:warrior:

Damocles November 8th, 2009 12:20 AM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Olaf Stapledon Last and First Men

Try Joe Halderman, or C J Cherrhy thereafter.

Dawg November 8th, 2009 11:38 AM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Dune.

I am
Dawg
:warrior:

Damocles November 8th, 2009 12:00 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
n/t

Damocles November 8th, 2009 12:05 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Frank Herbert's story about "Little Mouse" is not my favorite author topic right now. His ecology was bogus, his subject matter not very well thought out or researched, and especially this week, I have a severely negative reaction to THAT subject matter.

http://baheyeldin.com/literature/ara...erts-dune.html

http://www.shaulmishal.com/pdf/sm_academic_04.pdf

http://www.dhushara.com/book/future/dunep.htm

Dawg November 8th, 2009 02:05 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Today, there is little mystery left in the culture Herbert based the fremen of Dune on. The world is smaller, we know more, we have more global information at our fingertips than ever before in human history.

So we don't have the same kind of "alien" view of the terrestrial desert and its inhabitants that we did back in 1965. The Islamic bases for the fremen culture are more familiar to us now and we can pick them out as we read.

Herbert did his research (which was extensive, according to his son), then he wrote a piece of fiction where he took his data and made it conform to the universe he created. And it was an epic universe in its detail and completeness.

Nor was Islam the only influence on his fictional universe. The ideas of eugenics, manipulation of populations through religion, political intrigue, reliance on oil (a single commodity), personal journeys and growth and change..... He took and wove these threads into a tapestry of storytelling that remains unsurpassed to this day.

Allegory, perhaps - a view of what could happen if we do not rein in our various appetites. But at the end of the day it was an epic work of science fiction. Which is how it should be viewed.

To equate it to current events would be a mistake.

Please don't just blindly follow the blind....

I am
Dawg
:warrior:

TwoBrainedCylon November 8th, 2009 03:07 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
John,

I gotta admit I'm not fond of Dune either these days. The framework and storyline of the novels was epic and extremely well done but given the past couple of decades since it was first written, my fondness or even tolerance for a story about a righteous religious jihad in which the faithful slaughters the infidel isn't something I much want to embrace.

The phrase "We will kill until no Harknonnen breaths Arakeen air" doesn't sound like an influence from anywhere other than Islam to my ears and these guys are supposed to be the heroes.

All my best,


Russell

monolith21 November 8th, 2009 05:40 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Hey...that Litany against fear is pretty nifty though.

I've long been a fan of Dune. Its true that it hasn't held the same depth as we have become more aware of the world around us. I'm a big fan of Heinlein, Bradbury, Lewis, Tolkein and many other great sci fi writers. I'd put Card right up there with all of them...and in front of more than a few.

The philosophical and moral questions raised in those Ender books really struck a chord with me.

Oh and I agree Dawg, "Ender's Game" is an absolute must. I believe it has become recommended reading for High School kids now. I know a few teachers that are using in their classes.

As good as E.G. is, the other four books in that story line are amazingly deep. They won't be for everyone that is for sure. The military aspects are pretty much non existent in Ender's life after Command School.

I have yet to read the Shadow books, but I'm really interested in how things turned out for Bean and all the others. Great stuff!

monolith21 November 8th, 2009 05:42 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Damoncles, if you rank Brin right next to Card...do you have any recommendations? I know next to nothing about that author.

Damocles November 8th, 2009 06:46 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by monolith21 (Post 295082)
Damoncles, if you rank Brin right next to Card...do you have any recommendations? I know next to nothing about that author.

Sundiver. Uplift War. The dolphins are what Humanity should be.

I want to apologize for losing my temper with reference to Frank Herbert and Dune, but I've seen too much praise heaped upon for what for me was a one shot potboiler dystopian political treatise masquerading as an epic.


monolith21 November 9th, 2009 12:03 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
LOL

Hey, we've all gotten a bit hot under the collar over a favorite or...not so favorite sci fi story!

Dawg November 9th, 2009 01:01 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoBrainedCylon (Post 295080)
John,

I gotta admit I'm not fond of Dune either these days. The framework and storyline of the novels was epic and extremely well done but given the past couple of decades since it was first written, my fondness or even tolerance for a story about a righteous religious jihad in which the faithful slaughters the infidel isn't something I much want to embrace.

The phrase "We will kill until no Harknonnen breaths Arakeen air" doesn't sound like an influence from anywhere other than Islam to my ears and these guys are supposed to be the heroes.

All my best,


Russell

I'm not disputing any of that (although I'd wager similar sentiments would be expressed by anyone against a cruel and oppressive regime regardless of the religions of either party). And I understand why, today, there is such discomfort surrounding Herbert's story.

But you must also admit that the Harkonnens were unremittingly evil, treacherous, and did not have a shred of redeeming quality to them (their genetics notwithstanding). Throwing off the yolk of the oppressor is a classic theme as well. What Herbert did so well was take a desert religion to a desert planet and make it one thread in a complex weave of storytelling.

Whether or not you like it. It is a very long, complex, detailed tome and it takes a lot more effort to keep everyone and everything straight within the story than in most novels. He did nothing to simplify the political machinations or the blending of religious zeal, or the potential corruption of religion, or relationships personal or public. Some people simply don't like such complex writing. Some people thrive on it. Diff'rent strokes...

I think I've read Sundiver. I'll have to look it up again.

I am
Dawg
:warrior:

Gemini1999 November 9th, 2009 01:55 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
I guess that I'll be one of the first to admit that they've never read any of the Ender's books. I know that I've seen them in bookstores for quite a long while now. I remember the first time I saw one, I hovered over it a bit, but never bought it. I can't say why as it's been so long - I guess that I never knew anyone that had read it, or recommended it.

SciFi writing is just so like taking a blind chance when you buy a book - I guess I've gotten so picky, I talk myself out of it before I get to the counter.

When it comes to Dune, I've only read the first book and that was well after the 1984 film came out. Never read any of the other books.

Someone mentioned David Brin - I read Sundiver many years ago, but it didn't really spur me on to read any of his other novels. I can recall what the cover looked like, but nothing about the story. Who knows? Maybe with all the intervening years, my taste in reading has changed....I might like it now.

I'll have to do some book shopping and give one of them a try...

Bryan

monolith21 November 6th, 2013 03:26 AM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Rise from the dead old thread!!!

Anyone go see the film?

Senmut November 6th, 2013 01:51 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini1999 (Post 295088)

When it comes to Dune, I've only read the first book and that was well after the 1984 film came out. Never read any of the other books.

You haven't missed much. I read the first three, because I promised a rabid Dune fan I would. It was about as engaging as a road sign, and got harder as it went. I realize that the devoted Duneoids will come after me, but that's just how I see it.

bsg1fan1975 November 7th, 2013 02:28 AM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Never read any of the Ender books and I don't have any plans to. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with them but I just don't any urge to read them.

Senmut November 7th, 2013 12:25 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
Personally, I liked I, Claudius.

Punisher454 November 7th, 2013 11:44 PM

Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
 
I have yet to read Ender's game, I put it on my list, just not enough time.
Anyone here ever read "Requiem for the Conqueror"?


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:55 AM.

Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.8.11, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content and Graphics ©2000-Present Colonial Fleets