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FOREIGNER takes its reader onto an alien world, introducing them to an alien species, known as the atevi, mainly through their interaction with one man, Bren Cameron. The book explores themes of differences in cultures and many aspects of human nature – how we expect others to be like us.
I found it interesting. The first 100 pages of the book are not indicative of the whole; they seem to serve largely as background for the main story, tossing the reader straight into a predicament that is hard to understand at first. All becomes clear eventually. I found that the main character, Bren, thought a little more than was necessary; others have found him whiny, but I didn’t, just the author likes to let him deliberate on events and differences. Some of his digressions were interesting, some involved technical stuff which is what I don’t like about science fiction, but overall they added to the book’s feel even if they were a slight diversion from the main plot. Towards the end, however, the book really grabs the reader and doesn’t let go as the plot moves at a dizzying pace to its final conclusion.
The most interesting part was probably the way Bren reacted towards the atevi. He trusts them when they have no word for trust, likes them when they have no word for like, and in general reacts in fascinating ways. It’s also interesting to see their emotions, which do seem to exist, they’re just different. I’m very interested to learn more and if I pick up the next books in the series, that will be why.
Ender’s Game is the story of essentially one child, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin. Ender has two older siblings, but they are too polarized for his important task. In a very simple sense, one is vicious, the other peaceful, and only Ender strikes the right balance. Only he is recruited into battle school, and only he has a monumental task set before him.
I am not a science fiction person. The only science fiction stories I have ever managed to like are Star Wars and Firefly, both not books. Books get too technical, and in general I don’t like stories with aliens. Just personal preference.
With that out of the way, I had a shocking revelation. I liked Ender’s Game! I didn’t love it as everyone else on the planet seems to, but I genuinely liked it. Card’s clever children captivated me, and even though I found their abilities somewhat impossible for six-year-olds, I grew interested in their characters. I knew what it was to be isolated when young, how it makes character stronger, and so I could empathize with Ender, although I have no claims to his brilliance. I read a review that claimed he didn’t have any depth, Card never goes into his mind — I found the opposite to be true. I certainly saw into Ender’s mind, as he was manipulated into doing things he’d never have done otherwise, and especially in the phenomenal ending when he sets everything to rights.
I found the manipulation slightly horrifying, and was utterly relieved when “the twist” occurred. I enjoyed the fact that the story was simple and never got too complicated despite getting across several complex themes. I don’t really understand why it won two awards, I wouldn’t have rated it so highly myself, but then I don’t generally like science fiction so I’m probably not a fair judge.
It was the ending messages about culture and continuity that really got to me, and I think that therein lies a message we should all remember when we’re trying desperately to exterminate enemies that we don’t understand. When is any war any different from that?
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