Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

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Submitted by Dustin 
(Dec 12, 2002)

The "Speaker for the Dead", was a remarkable book that took my mind not quite as far as I thought "Ender's Game" did, but to a certain degree it took me just as far. When you find out that Ender can still amaze you with something as new as being 3-thousand years old you get pretty into the book. I especially like how his genetic history still carries through the novel. For him having two sides. Both a savior and of course his brother Peter's side. Yet in this novel the Lusos and everyone in Milagre on the planet of Luistania refer to the Speaker as "devil" even though I think that the speaker is the savior half of his personality. You would think Ender the Xenocide would be the actual Devil. He did murder an entire race. Thumbs up to this awesome novel. Even though this isn't really a good review. I just had to share it with someone. So thank you for reading.

Speaker for the Dead is a rich and compelling novel that varies greatly in plot, character and atmosphere compared to it's famous processor, Ender's Game.
Ender's game is a SF novel most probably directed to a teenage audience; child genuis protagonist vs. evil buggers. DOn't get me wrong Ender's Game is an astonishing well woven adventure that takes you deep in the the mind of Ender Wiggin and explores some of the most interesting literal ideas ever set on paper. Thus the success of EG, i expected a similiar novel from Speaker for the Dead, yes on one level i was right.Speaker for the Dead is simply breathetaking and no doubt a stroke of genius like EG, but on a different plateau altogether.
Speaker for the dead is more mature book aimed at a more adult audiences-the story take Ender through a spiratural and psychological journey rather then a physical one like inEG. THe novel explores issues and ideas about fate, religon,life and uncovers layers of human nature leaving each one of us naked from disguise. It explores the desires, deceits, and distortion of human character through a rich and intriguing story lead by intricatly portrayed characters.
I will not go into the plot, because in a novel of this kind,it is not all that important. The brilliance, the soul, the heart of the novel lies not in the plot but the ideas that surface and are explored by the characters through dialogue and thoughts.
I recommand this novel for all book lovers, no matter what genre you usually read. As long as you're a player in this game of life, you will appreciate the sheer brilliance behind Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead.

At first the book Speaker for the Dead was a little boring but once I got past the first chapter it really got interesting. Once I found out that it was 3000 years after Ender the Xenocide destroyed the Buggers i was by far amazed. Many of the things were of course different than in Ender's Game.

The book, "Speaker for the Dead," by Orson Scott Card is a powerful book that I think any sci-fiction reader would appreciate. I admire all of his work, and this book is well written. I just wonder how much time he spend on that book. It isn't for a beginner reader, because it is quite difficult to understand, but I am a freshman in High School reading this book and it is quite interesting to me. Orson Scott Card's novels make me want to read more.

Fans of _Ender's Game_ may be a little uneasy beginning this book. If they're anything like me, I mean. I heard all the time on the internet that, "_Speaker for the Dead_ is good, but not as good as _Ender's Game_." It was for this reason that I put off reading it for quite some time.

When I finally did grab a copy, I can't say whether or not I was impressed at first...but I couldn't put it down. It takes place a long time after _Ender's Game_, and it is interesting to read how Card's changed the atmosphere slightly, similar to the way that Herbert changed the atmosphere of _Dune_ (though the latter's book was more bombarded by disgruntled fans, as far as I can tell).

Ender must face the aftermath of the distruction of the Buggers, many years after the original happenings. To the worlds, he is the Xenocide, but he has his sister Valentine, and some degree of comfort on a planet far from Earth.

The story doesn't begin with Ender. It opens on the planet Lusitania, where once again humans come in contact with an alien race. This race is less advanced than the Buggers were...but less dangerous? Two scientists studying them had already been ritually killed by them.

I've only touched on the story. It is really remarkable, to me, that Card had this book in mind when he first published _Ender's Game_ -- it hasn't gotten as much acclaim. It is very touching, and for the most part the characterization is fascinating. (There were a few characters that I never truly 'met' completely, but most of were not essential to the story...and I can't expect Card to be George R. R. Martin.)

This book can probably be read without the reader being familiar with _Ender's Game_. It can be understood, to a certain extent. But it should be read after _Ender's Game_ to have its full impact, and the reader should be willing to go through a little change. It is more mature, to me, than _Ender's Game_ -- younger readers may find the change of tone a little odd at first, if only because they are used to the child-genius Ender, struggling to cope, and not with the very human *adult* Ender, struggling to cope.

I loved it, and will soon buy _Xenocide_, which is, again, according to some, less than worthy of being in the Ender Saga. I can't see why _Speaker for the Dead_ was 'unworthy.' Certainly it was a little too ambitious... But ambition is not always a bad thing, and Card knows his stuff.