First off, guys, I'm really sorry, I had tons of stuff going on with the end of the school year and it seemed like no one was commenting, so I completely spaced getting the posts up, and now I've just been guilty of slacking. So let's just finish off the book, for those who were waiting, and move on.
Leader and Victor chronicle Bean finally learning something about human interaction in the face of becoming responsible for a group and having to put it together, feeling truly guilty and grieved when he is unable to protect Ender from Bonzo's assault in the bathroom, and ultimately winning the battle for Ender when Ender has decided he's finished. Bean becomes a toon leader, faces down his own nemesis, Achilles, and goes along with all the other chosen pupils to Tactical and finally to Command school, meanwhile dabbling in political epistolary as he writes to Peter and Valentine regarding his theories about the situation on Earth. He fights the battles of the Third Invasion, is given the chance to take full command from Ender, refuses it, and realizes what Ender knew that he has never understood, and why he could not destroy the Buggers as Ender could. The end, as Bean comes home to the family he never knew he had, knowing he left Ender behind, seems happy and sweet, but given the political situation he has studied while in space, we know there will be more to come.
Final thoughts on Ender and Bean as two protagonists viewed in parallel? Thoughts on the different take each story took, and the different information we were given throughout each one? Thoughts on how the boys handled the attempted manipulation by the teachers differently, and the differences in how they faced the potentially life-threatening challenges that Graff threw at them? Thoughts on Graff and Sister Carlotta, the two adults most present and most able to manipulate both boys' lives? Any other comments, of course, are welcome, and anyone who's willing can suggest the next book.
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2 comments:
I keep forgetting to check here too.
Let's see. I finished it a long time ago now. I remember being surprised that Bean went back to earth. I think I thought he was going out into space. Well maybe he is but his interest in the political situation on earth shows that's where he'll be.
I also liked seeing the situation from 2 different points of view. It was good to see Bean come to a real home.
I guess that's about all off the top of my head. I'm open to either of the books mentioned last time.
I thought this was a great addition to Ender's Game. I felt it rounded out the rougher patches of the initial story about Ender and the kids at the Battle School. The two different perspectives were interesting, and it was good to get more insight into the other kids at Battle School since in Ender's Game it pretty much focuses on Ender exclusively.
I thought the dynamics between Ender and Bean were intriguing. Bean fluctuated between contempt and hero worship with Ender at first, but as he got to know Ender, that all changed (well, I think there was still a lot of hero worship... :D ) as they developed a strong friendship. I'm also glad that he realized that while he may have superior intelligence, he was lacking in other areas and Ender, through his example, helped him learn to appreciate those other elements that create a whole person.
Hm...I thought the snide and witty intros to each chapter were fun to read, but I don't have a lot to contribute regarding the adults. Sister Carlotta kind of got on my nerves, but I always have a soft spot of Graff just 'cause he's Graff.
Book suggestions...hm, well, Angela and I have an experiment to recommend. I suppose we should put up a post about what we should read next and get input. I'll get with Angela and see if we can get something up by this weekend. We'll put it to a vote and go from there. :) Hopefully we can get the momentum back in the blog.
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