The Ender a POV Exercise

Finally I will do the post Daeruin requested so long ago about “Ender’s Game” and “Ender’s Shadow,” both being fine books in their own right but inspiring some definite monologue from me in combination. Let me preface my thoughts with the following truth statements:

“Ender’s Game” is a great book. – True

“Ender’s Shadow” is a great book. – True

“Game” and “Shadow” are the same story told from different points of view. – False

Now I hope that if you are going to get your ire up about it that you will hear me out first. When I read “Shadow,” it had been many years since I last read “Game.” I was impressed by what a great story Card came up with, and how well he retold the “Game” story with Bean. Where my perspective became altered was during my recent days of commuting when I checked out the audio books of “Game” then “Shadow” back to back. Listening to “Game” I was again impressed with Card’s tale and his depiction of all those darling lads and lasses. Conversely, when I listened to “Shadow” I experienced a combination of the sensations of “that is great” and “what the 7734?” that kind of cramped my style.

Here is the thing that bothered me about the books as they are presented – one story, two points of view:

(This may be completely unnoticeable unless the books are read in a short duration and one after the other. Furthermore, it may not be noticeable unless listening to the audio books. I still maintain that it is so and invite you to check it out yourself if you do not immediately agree with my observations.)

In EVERY SINGLE INSTANCE of personal interaction between Ender and Bean, “Shadow” shows Ender to have his head completely where the sun don’t shine. At the same time it tries to maintain, like “Game,” that Ender has some sort of intuitive sense for people and how to read them, use them, and win with them. He is also shown to be wrong about Petra, who in “Game” is one of his most stalwart allies. I know I get hung up on believability – still, how can he be oblivious to the people that he has to most depend on and still have the main difference that Card tries to sell between him and Bean. I think “Shadow” is probably the better book – the writing is stronger, and I liked the complications to the story. I do not think it is the same story as “Game” from a different point of view, but more like an alternate Ender universe where Wolverine only has one hand and Magneto gets Rogue.

In summary, I think that while as a POV exercise (quite a lucrative one for Card, by all accounts) “Shadow” is a failure. There are too many discrepancies for my believability, from the mixed presentation of Ender’s abilities to the complete alteration of the supporting cast. That being said, “Shadow” is still a great book, worth reading, and I intend to read the rest of the Shadow series now that I am done graduated.

On that note, it feels good to be done – I got my grades back and I finished strong with my highest achieving semester of my whole undergrad career. It pulled my GPA up into the potential grad school range so that I won’t have to rely totally on my GRE scores to get me in. Anyways, thank you all for your support and don’t forget to let me know what you think of my “Ender” interpretation.

R.

A Wonderful Day

Today I graduated with my double-bachelors in English and History. Afterwards we had a little gathering to celebrate. I just wanted to once again thank them of you as that were there showing your love and support - Zilla and family, Lackhand and family, my assorted folks, friends, and neighbors. I appreciate the things you have done for me.

It is a wonderful thing to be done with this phase of my education. On the agenda is some writing - fiction and book reviews - and a lot of guitar playing. When I'm not spending time with my family, that is. Write on, people, because soon I will be writing too.

R.

A Teaching Moment

The other morning the boys were asking E and I about who was the boss. I told them, "Think of our home symbolically as our country, the US of A. At a casual glance there might appear to be democracy and equality, but in the end you are like common citizens Mom and Dad are like the politico-corporate faction that pretty much do what we want with no repercussions from the likes of you." The analogy made perfect sense to them and there have been no more "boss" issues ever since.

R.

A Voice from the Maze

I have spent a week now in what I've come to think of as "The Maze," that is, the regional office of the powerful corporate entity which employs me. I considered calling it "The Maize" because many of the creepy aspects of the corn field apply, but I don't think that I will. I am not alone there - a half a dozen or more of my former co-workers have scrambled, clawed, or just earned their way into this web of cubicles. Today I heard one of them say, "Shine on you crazy diamond," to someone on the phone. It stopped me in my tracks. As many of you know, that is one of my oldest and favoritest sayings that has earned me looks ranging from blank to flat disgust. I am sure that there are other people in the world who say that exact thing and have for a long time. At the same time, I felt a sense of gratitude at the possibility that I perhaps had an influence on a respected colleague. One way or the other, I thought it a unique and surreal enough experience to post about here.

I have four essays and one test tomorrow and then I will be done with the work I need to do to graduate. Hooray. I have been down with the sickness like in that song by Disturbed so I haven't enjoyed getting rid of my commute as much as I initially planned, but I will make up for it.

R.