In the first section of Ender's Shadow, we are introduced to the street life of Rotterdam, the gangs of kids who band together for survival, and most importantly to little Bean, who remarkably has survived, and sees a way to make things better for everyone. We also learn of a very real division between children and adults in this world, the adults who know what's going on, that there are orphans running the streets, fighting for survival, dying, and how few of them, most notably people like the cops, who do so little about it. The prominent figures in Bean's life at the earliest point in the story will continue to affect him as it progresses, so I'd love to hear thoughts on Poke, Achilles, and especially Sister Carlotta. In comparison to Ender, what sort of skills does Bean learn, and how is he affected by events, that you think will contribute to his time in Battle School? And how do you feel thus far about what you've seen of Bean's incredible intellect and memory, how he acted to save his life, and how he views the world thus far? As always, any other thoughts and observations are welcome.
Section 2: Launchy, for next week, and please let me know if the schedule is too demanding for anyone, and we can space out the discussions a bit more.
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3 comments:
My first thought was that it's strange that this severely malnourished kid still had much of a brain.
I really like Poke. She has a hard job taking care of her crew. I think that Bean must be a cute little kid but that doesn't seem to sway her. She has to be smart enough to believe that Bean has a good idea. In the process she's laying the life of her crew on the line.
The conditions are truly appalling but I wouldn't be surprised if there are places around the world today that are like this. Adults working to help these children must be frustrated trying to help the children who needed it the most.
When I read Ender's Game, I imagined a very controlled society. So, when I started Ender's Shadow, I was surprised by the lack of control - that there were these kids running wild and that the society seemed rather lawless.
That difference transcends to Ender's and Bean's first years. Ender was in a very controlled and maintained environment with an ever watchful monitor shadowing his every move. Bean grew up as a nameless street urchin, obscure and unnoticed.
So, they developed very different skill sets. Bean survived because he developed skills necessary to survival. He is skeptical of everyone - he questions every single person's motivations that he encounters. He can't seem to place trust in even Sister Carlotta.
Ender grew up knowing that he was born with the sole objective of saving the planet one day. His birth wouldn't have been sanctioned by the government otherwise. He had that weight on him since infancy, so his skill sets are different and while he is distrustful of adults, he does have Valentine in whom he is able to place confidence. Ender did encounter some physical challenges, but for the most part, he was protected by the monitor.
I have had a very hard time believing Bean's incredible physical feats that he accomplished as an infant. My Lizzy is around the same age as he was when he escaped from the clean place. So, it's very very hard for me to believe in that element. I can give some leeway with the incredible intellect, but it's still asking a lot of me to believe.
I'll probably have more to say about Poke and Achilles in another comment post, but I'm out of time for now.
The reading schedule looks great. I am actually pretty far along in the book because once I started reading, I couldn't put it down and also because my schedule is never very consistent these days, I took the time to read when I could.
I totally agree with you on the believability of Bean's age when he escaped. Very hard to imagine.
I did the same thing with my reading schedule. I have to read when I have time so I'm actually done with the book.
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