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November 5th, 2009, 12:52 AM
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#1
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Squadron Leader
Join Date: May 2003
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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!
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Lt. Killian
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"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
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November 5th, 2009, 07:29 AM
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#2
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Great Wise Guru
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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
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November 7th, 2009, 09:41 PM
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#3
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Bad Email Address
The Last Person
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
David Brin after OSC.
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November 7th, 2009, 09:55 PM
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#4
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Great Wise Guru
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Damocles
David Brin after OSC.
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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
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November 8th, 2009, 12:20 AM
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#5
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Bad Email Address
The Last Person
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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.
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November 8th, 2009, 11:38 AM
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#6
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Great Wise Guru
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
Dune.
I am
Dawg
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November 8th, 2009, 12:00 PM
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#7
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Bad Email Address
The Last Person
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
n/t
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November 8th, 2009, 02:05 PM
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#9
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Great Wise Guru
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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
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November 8th, 2009, 03:07 PM
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#10
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Imperious Leader
| Founder | | Cylon.org |
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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
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I respect French maids for their minds.
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November 8th, 2009, 05:40 PM
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#11
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Squadron Leader
Join Date: May 2003
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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!
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Lt. Killian
Blackstar Squadron
"The Fighting Faithful"
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
-Albert Einstein
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November 8th, 2009, 05:42 PM
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#12
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Squadron Leader
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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.
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Lt. Killian
Blackstar Squadron
"The Fighting Faithful"
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
-Albert Einstein
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November 8th, 2009, 06:46 PM
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#13
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Bad Email Address
The Last Person
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
Quote:
Originally Posted by monolith21
Damoncles, if you rank Brin right next to Card...do you have any recommendations? I know next to nothing about that author.
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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.
Quote:
Emperor Palpatine.
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November 9th, 2009, 12:03 PM
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#14
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Squadron Leader
Join Date: May 2003
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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!
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Lt. Killian
Blackstar Squadron
"The Fighting Faithful"
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
-Albert Einstein
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November 9th, 2009, 01:01 PM
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#15
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Great Wise Guru
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TwoBrainedCylon
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
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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
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November 9th, 2009, 01:55 PM
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#16
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Strike Leader
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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
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November 6th, 2013, 03:26 AM
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#17
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Squadron Leader
Join Date: May 2003
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
Rise from the dead old thread!!!
Anyone go see the film?
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Lt. Killian
Blackstar Squadron
"The Fighting Faithful"
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
-Albert Einstein
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November 6th, 2013, 01:51 PM
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#18
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Strike Leader
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wenatchee, Soviet of WA., Ex U.S.A.
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemini1999
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.
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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.
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Populos stultus viris indignas honores saepe dat. -Horace
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Fortuna est caeca. -Cicero
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"You know the night before was a tough one when even the sound of the fizz hurts your head." -Mike Hammer.
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November 7th, 2013, 02:28 AM
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#19
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Major
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Cheesehead in Connecticut
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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.
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November 7th, 2013, 12:25 PM
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#20
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Strike Leader
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Re: Anyone else read the Ender books by Orson Scott Card?
Personally, I liked I, Claudius.
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Populos stultus viris indignas honores saepe dat. -Horace
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Fortuna est caeca. -Cicero
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"You know the night before was a tough one when even the sound of the fizz hurts your head." -Mike Hammer.
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November 7th, 2013, 11:44 PM
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#21
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Warrior Ace
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Salem Oregon
Posts: 528
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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"?
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