Books discussion

[Turuk]

I was told by a friend that I "absolutely have to read Ender's Game". I haven't even heard of it until she mentioned it, so I looked up the reviews. They were generally positive ones, but I wanted to hear anyone's opinion of the book on this forum, if they've read it.

It is an interesting read, but I imagine any criticism or bad reviews you saw have to do with fact that Ender is superbly talented at war, displays no remorse, and yet is still portrayed as the hero of the book in that everything is "forced" on him by others.

[Hatter_Madigan]

Kind of like how Frodo was forced to be the hero in lord of the rings?

[Turuk]

Kind of like how Frodo was forced to be the hero in lord of the rings?

Sort of, but he's still got that hobbit innocence thing going on. Now imagine that Frodo ruthlessly used his friends and every weapon at his disposal to crush and destroy all of his enemies, all while being portrayed as the same innocent character, and you're more on the right track.

[Joram]

Kind of like how Frodo was forced to be the hero in lord of the rings?

This is not actually true. Frodo volunteered at the Council of Elrond to carry the ring. He didn't have to (in fact, he wasn't even the first to volunteer to do so ).

Ender, on the other hand, truly is forced. I cannot help but feel sorry for him, as he was really abused in a lot of ways (all for the sake of humanity). With Frodo, it was a heroic sacrifice. With Ender, it was a tortured childhood.

I think Turuk exaggerates slightly (referring to the part about using his friends); but he gives you a good idea.

[Midnight_Carnival]

Now I'm reading Beserker Man by Fred Saberhagen- oldish science fiction.

It iso not nearly as entertaining as the anime series which is playing in my mind as a result of reading it though, which borrows from Evangellion and Robotek. It is bearing less and less resemblence to the story as time progresses.

[Turuk]

I think Turuk exaggerates slightly (referring to the part about using his friends); but he gives you a good idea.

Agreed, I do a tad, but I was just emphasizing the difference between the two. Ender just shows a particular violent nature that he has no qualms indulging, but there's no real punishment for it.

[Midnight_Carnival]

I was told by a friend that I "absolutely have to read Ender's Game". I haven't even heard of it until she mentioned it, so I looked up the reviews. They were generally positive ones, but I wanted to hear anyone's opinion of the book on this forum, if they've read it.

For what my opinion is worth, that book PWNZZ!

I'm not so sure about the sequels, they were good (to begin with), but not nearly as good as Ender's Game.

Comparing Ender to Frodo is interesting. I normally put him up against Harry Potter (I will spare you my epic Harry Potter rant), Ender was an outcast who was forced into a situation where he really came into his own, so to speak, and rather than using that to get a girlfriend and be accepted by the society which gave him such a hard time, he boggered off!

Much healthier role model for kids than Harry Potter I think.

[Huston]

midnight i'd like to hear your Harry Potter rant. i think it could be funny.


as for what i'm reading now. i'm reading these forums. and i'm reading tales of beadle the bard.(yes it was from harry potter)

[Hatter_Madigan]

But didn't Frodo agree to it only because he realized that he was the only one that could? And yeah, I read those tales of the bard! lol. They seemed like believable fairy tales, because they were. I love Rawlings imagination.

[Midnight_Carnival]

Read the second one of the Last Cronicles of Thomas Covernant. Can't remember what it was called for a second.

Slightly dissapointed.

I was a committed Dondalson fan since I read The Gap Series - you know, the one where you forget to breathe becasue of the sheer power and majesty of his briliantly crafted climax.

The Thomas Covernant book just didn't do it for me.

midnight i'd like to hear your Harry Potter rant. i think it could be funny.

Yes, many people think it would be funny to hear me go off, but when me unleash...
Well, it would likely start a flamewar which many might not apreciate.

[ElvenKing]

Yes, many people think it would be funny to hear me go off, but when me unleash...
Well, it would likely start a flamewar which many might not apreciate.

Pfft. It couldn't be any worse than the political, religious, or ladder flamewars that we have had previously.

[Turuk]

Pfft. It couldn't be any worse than the political, religious, or ladder flamewars that we have had previously.

Except it's length of existence would be much shorter.

[cobra]

Just started reading Inkheart the other day. Its a pretty good book so far.

[Edguy_Forever]

Currently reading Dragonsblood by Todd McCaffrey. I have always wanted to look into the pern series, probably should have started with Anne McCaffrey though.

[Turuk]

Currently reading Dragonsblood by Todd McCaffrey. I have always wanted to look into the pern series, probably should have started with Anne McCaffrey though.

Have you read any of the other books or did you just pick that one at random because it was available? My only thought is that there are a number of books that come before that which may have helped your understanding.