Day One Hundred and Forty-Five

8/25

The Book: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

ISBN: 0-812-55070-6

Suggested By: Audrey Scott

Where: Home

When: 9:30-10:15P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 56-111 (55)

The Lead In: This book is science fiction, obviously, but it is also annoying in the way the supposed 6 year olds think and speak. No six year old talks the way Ender does. I guess supporters of Card would argue that Ender is exceptional in every way, But I think that’s still a stretch.

The 411 on the 55: Just as Ender begins to make friends in his unit, he is transferred to another unit, also led by a kid who resents his presence. Of course, Ender betters his commander by disobeying a direct order in mock combat. He fires on the other team at the last moment, turning a loss into a stalemate. Sadly, his commander, sees that as insubordination and eventually transfers him to another squad.

Two things emerge as important from this section of the book. 1, Ender enjoys playing a psychological game. The more he plays, the deeper it ventures into his subconscious, revealing more of him to the generals, who monitor the game. 2, Each commander Ender serves under offers a model to glean from, making Ender better after each experience.

Line of the Day: “As he thought of it, though, he could not imagine what “just living,” might actually be.” pg 74

Fact on the Fiction: Science fiction fans who love videogames, start your rejoicing. Later today, award-winning author Orson Scott Card and Chair Entertainment--the creative team responsible for Advent Rising and Undertow--will officially announce plans to turn Card's beloved novel "Ender's Game" into a, well, game. Newsweek