De tactiek van Ender (1977)

This was one of those books that I had always intended to read because it's considered a classic of the genre. I read this as an audiobook, which I think helped as the BBC version is ready by extremely talented voice actors. I've read various critiques of this novel, and I think many of them are overly harsh, because, as difficult a story as this is to work through, I do think that the book is saying something important, at least as far as social and political commentary...it's just that you really have to dig for it. The line, "the humans did not forgive us" tied the novel together beautifully for me. That said, it's really not one of the best science fiction novels that I've read. The cultural hatred and violence were just a bit dense for me to wade through, as was the military setting. This is likely more a visceral reaction on my part than a critique on Card's writing or the work itself, and honestly it's complimentary to the book that it invoked such a reaction. The message of the book, what it's saying, also seemed to be missing it's own point. I think that the plot is confused about itself a great deal of the time.

This is still worth your time to read if you like science fiction, but be prepared for a difficult journey though its pages. ( )

Card is one of those authors who was eternally on my "to read" list. That is, until I walked in to a Books, Inc shop in San Francisco about a decade ago, when gay marriage was about to hit the ballot in California. Previously I had only read a short story of his in a horror anthology -- a short story that terrified me, until years later when I suddenly realised that it was about abortion, and that it was anti-choice. (I guess it then terrified me in a different way. I should probably reread it, but I kinda don't want to).

The queers and allies working at the Books, Inc. had printed up some of Card's views on gay marriage and displayed them prominently. Plenty of other people have compiled those views now so I don't need to go into it. There are some good things here: https://www.wired.com/2013/07/orson-scott-card-boycott/... and also here: https://www.verbicidemagazine.com/2013/11/07/homophobia-quotes-orson-scott-card-.... This is also a nice personal take: https://www.wired.com/2013/10/enders-game/ ... It was a surprise to me at the time and, combined with my previous experience, I decided that I wasn't going to read any of his stuff. Because life is short, and there are too many other things to read.

And then, for school, I had to read this book. And I loved it.

Looking through the reviews here, there seem to be a few trends: 1. people loved this book when they were young and most still do, yet some don't. 2. people who read this book as adults either LOVED it or HATED it, with a few people who were kinda "meh" but only a few.

Did I love the experience of reading this book because I started from below zero and was therefore surprised that it seemed interesting and sympathetic and that I didn't see the twist coming a mile away (though maybe I should have)? Or was it actually fascinating and interesting in a way that I wasn't expecting? Did I love it because, having just reread Starship Troopers, a book that I hate, it felt like this book was in angry dialogue with that book that I hate? I can't tell. I agree with the people on here who complain about misogyny, but it didn't feel as bad as other contemporary texts. I have no idea why I loved this book so much, and I'm confused about it. If I reread it my experience will probably change.

But Orson Scott Card is still a hateful homophobe. If you want to read this for yourself, please buy it used from an independent book store. ( )

Se hace pesado de leer... ( )

Excelente obra de lectura sencilla, amena, trepidante en muchos momentos, cargada de actualidad. No parece haber sido escrita hace 34 años. El autor te sitúa en la piel del protagonista, un niño bastante pequeño que no hace cosas apropiadas a su edad, pero perfectamente plausibles en un futuro no muy lejano. Muy bien desarrollada. El final es impactante. Un libro que tienes que leer hasta el final, cada capítulo es una necesidad para el siguiente. Genera unas ganas enormes de continuar la saga. ¡Sensacional! ( )

As a teen, Ender's Game was my 'gateway drug' to sci-fi and fantasy. I come back to this book time and again. Thought provoking and humbling, Ender's Game provides an invaluable lesson for humanity. Should be required reading everywhere. (Unfortunately, in real life, the author himself appears to be as bigoted and cruel as those that he criticizes in his writing.) ( )