So I was waiting for folks to catch up and post, and then I completely spaced because it had been a while, and I figure I'll just put up the new discussion and people can post as they're ready or thinking about it. So, we've already seen all this from Ender's point of view, and now we get to see it from the other side, also knowing that Bean was the one who assembled this army to become what it was. Bean starts to feel resentful of Ender, and starts to realize how little he really knows about social skills and interaction, knowing so much about Ender only to realize that Ender knows nothing about him. He starts to become more sensitive to Nikolai's feelings, experiences real fear and nervousness, and gradually gains confidence in himself as a part of a group. Finally, having grown a bit as a soldier and as a friend, he gains what he desires: a leadership role in Ender's army.
Meanwhile, Sister Carlotta has learned a lot about Bean and who he is and where he came from, and the news foretells a grim future.
Since we saw a great deal of this from Ender's point of view, I'd love to hear what you guys think in terms of comparison and contrast, and the very slight changes, if you can find them, between the two writings of the scenes. Also, what are your thoughts on Bean and his true biological family, his relationship to Nikolai, and the future that he has before him?
For next time, next section: Leader.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I noticed that it'd had been a while, and I was going to ask you about it. I'm sorry I haven't been in to comment. I returned my book to the library because I couldn't renew it anymore, and I'm a little lost as to where we are in the story. Which means that my comments may be a little more general than I'd like them to be.
Regarding the slight differences between Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow, I was reading the afterward in my edition of Ender's Shadow, and Card mentions that the differences that are there between the novels were done on purpose. He said that he did it that way in order to show that people notice different things, or that memory isn't always exact, or something along those lines. I thought that was interesting, and it makes sense. I imagine that if I were to talk to someone who was in the same classes that I was at BYU, they would remember different things, or different things made a stronger impression on them than on me and vice versa. This is an element about Ender's Shadow that I've really enjoyed, and what has made the book such a good companion novel to Ender's Game. While both novels cover some similar material, it is presented so differently that it doesn't feel repetitive.
I liked that Bean was the one who assembled the army. I also like that Bean finds himself discomfited around Ender. For being such a know-it-all (which occasionally gets on my nerves), I like to see him at a loss just a little bit. It makes him more human and less like a human computer.
I'm still wrapping my mind around Bean's past. It's not believable to me that he was able to hide as he did or even know that there was a need to hide. Even with superior intelligence, it's just too hard for me to believe. I'm still uncertain that I even like what we have learned about him and the genetic engineering. I kind of wondered whether the kids in Ender's Game were genetically engineered because while they were kids, they didn't act like kids a lot of the time. Yet, when I actually see a child in the story that is, I don't want it to be the case.
Phew! A lot to think about. Unfortunately, nothing really comes to mind with the compare and contrast in the points of view. I mean, I know they're different, but nothing really popped up. I'm afraid I may have jumped the gun on the last section, because I commented on the discovery of Bean's past, family, etc. I was really glad when I read that he had a family, and how cool it was that his only friend in Battleschool was actually his brother.
I have a confession. I couldn't wait any longer and finished the book. It was really good, and I'm looking forward to discussing it.
I seem to have less downtime these days than I have had in the past, and it's harder for me to even get around to visiting this blog and commenting. I'm so sorry I go so long without popping in. I'm still reading and enjoying it though.
Post a Comment