Review of ENDER'S GAME

Bibliography:

Card, Orson Scott. 1991. Ender’s game. New York: Tom Doherty Associates. ISBN 0812550706

Review:

From the opening paragraph when readers learn that six year old Andrew “Ender” Wiggins is “the one” and witness the removal of the “monitor” from the back of his neck, they are pulled in to the gripping plot of Ender’s Game. Orson Scott Card intrigues readers with the notion of a young genius taken from his family to train to become a starship commander in order to defeat alien buggers. Although the story is set in the future, a world threatened by invasion from insect-like aliens, readers identify with Ender who never seems to fit in. At home he must deal with Peter, his cruel older brother, and classmates who dislike the fact that his is a “third,” a government authorized third child who violates population restrictions. His desire to have friends at Battle School is smothered by Colonel Graff and the other leaders who intentionally alienate Ender in order to prepare him for his role of saving earth from destruction. Ender is a normal kid who wants to have friends and live a regular life, but he accepts the role he must play and makes sacrifices to save his sister, Valentine, the only person who truly loves him. His compassion is evident throughout the story. Even when he fights and, unknowingly kills two bullies bent on destroying him, Ender does not seem like a monster. He uses his empathy for others to help him understand their weaknesses and to ultimately defeat them. This same quality allows him to eventually defeat the buggers. Card creates a world of the future that seems all too real. Most of the story takes place in space at Battle School, and the author provides detailed descriptions of the facility, especially of the battle room where the all important war games the students “lived for” are played. The intense action of these games will lead readers of all ages to want to take a turn at playing. In the end, Ender’s Game touches readers because they become deeply involved with Ender and his struggle to remain empathetic and not become a cold-hearted killer. The fact that the narration shifts between third person and first person allows readers to not only see how Colonel Graff and the International Fleet manipulate Ender, but also the internal thoughts of the central character. When twelve-year old Ender defeats the buggers in what he assumes is another war game, he is devastated by his actions and later tells the true story of the buggers to the world. It is his never ending compassion for all creatures that permeates the story and reminds readers that caring for others is what makes us human. The fast-paced story will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the end wondering if Ender will succeed with his mission and also give them hope that one person, no matter his age, can make a difference in the world.