When I was working, I never had time for science fiction or fantasy. Now that I'm officially retired, I have more time on my hands. The thread title makes it obvious, but I'll ask again. What's the first OSC book I should read? Thank you in advance.
Posted by striplingrz (Member # 9770) on :
Many will say Ender's Game because its his most famous. But I started with The Seventh Son, and have never regretted it. The whole Alvin Maker series is very enjoyable, with The Seventh Son & Red Prophet being two of my favorite OSC books.
However, you can't go wrong with Ender's Game. And Speaker for the Dead (the sequel of sorts to Ender's Game) is perhaps one of the best books I've ever read.
Posted by Jqueasy (Member # 7085) on :
I read Enders Game first. But also try Treasure Box.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
I read Ender's Game first. Just a note, you probably want to read Ender's Game before Ender's Shadow, though.
--j_k
Posted by beatnix19 (Member # 5836) on :
I would recomend reading Ender's Game first. It is the book that first hooked me into reading. I read it in the 8th grade and it was the first time I had ever read a book just because I felt like it and not because a teacher told me I had to. I've been involved in a rediculous love affair with reading ever since. I'm even a reading teacher myslef now, and it's in the 8th grade. Wierd huh?
But I will tell you that Mr. Card himslef now recomends first time readers start with Ender's Shadow. And a lot of people on here will tell you one or the other is their favorite, usually depending on which one they read first themsleves. Basically you need to decide if you want Ender or Bean to be held in a special place in your heart because based on which you start with, the main character seems to leave quite a lasting effect. They both are really interesting and well written characters but it's been my experience that people favor them based on the book they first read.
Posted by Artemisia Tridentata (Member # 8746) on :
You didn't tell us enough about yourself. I read a lot of Western Americana. My first book was "Saints". I loved it. Many people I know have only read (and love) the "Women of the Old Testement" series. You would want to start with "Sarah". So many paths, and they are all really different.
Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
quote:Originally posted by Rotar Mode: What's the first OSC book I should read?
Any of them.
Seriously, I haven't read one yet I didn't really enjoy. There are totally different reasons to love each one, though, so it depends on what your favorite type of fiction is, I suppose. But I'd still say you can start with any of them. The exception to that being that you probably shouldn't start in the middle of Alvin Maker or the Bean books without reading the first one first.
Also, I need to plug Hart's Hope more here because apparently I'm like the only person on Earth who's read it. YOU GUYS ARE ALL MISSING OUT!
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
I still think Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus is his best. Who doesn't love time travel? It's heartbreaking in places, disturbing in places, and ultimately uplifting.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
quote:Originally posted by AvidReader: I still think Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus is his best. Who doesn't love time travel? It's heartbreaking in places, disturbing in places, and ultimately uplifting.
That would be my recommendation as well.
Posted by jeeshkid (Member # 9885) on :
I recomend Treason. I really liked it, but it does have some interesting (not pc) ideas.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Read Seventh Son That was my first book of his.
Posted by Tyler (Member # 9930) on :
oh my, they are all just so good.
i would recomment reading ender's game, harts hope, seventh son, enchantment, or the worthing saga first. honestly, each book is so different, but they all hold that Card style of amazing characters and twists and turns all over the place.
Posted by Frozenoak (Member # 9454) on :
I started with the Homecoming series. I think the first one was The Memory of Earth. I might have started with Seventh Son if I had known about it. The Alvin Maker series is very high on my lists of favorites.
dale
Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
I read Ender's Game first, though I didn't base that decision on anything. I randomly picked up Ender's Shadow in the library, and through reading the jacket discovered that there were prior books. So on impulse I walked over to the bookstore and bought Ender's Game. It was great, and like with any author whose work I enjoy, I read every other book that I could find by him.
I actually just finished reading Ender's Game for only the second time, about 6 years after my first discovery. I liked it even more this time, and I think now I'll have to reread the rest of the series.
The main reason I think you should read Ender's Game first is that you'll then feel compelled to read Speaker For The Dead, which IMO is his best novel.
Posted by Dark as night (Member # 9577) on :
quote:Originally posted by Fitz: The main reason I think you should read Ender's Game first is that you'll then feel compelled to read Speaker For The Dead, which IMO is his best novel.
I agree. I recently finished re-reading both of these novels again. OSC himself has said that "Speaker for the Dead" was the novel he originally wanted to write, and "Ender's Game" became somewhat of a prequel to it. I also love the rest of the Ender/Bean series, and s for stand-alones "Enchantment" is probably my favorite.
Posted by Maliam (Member # 9915) on :
I agree with just about any OSC book. Just don't start in the middle of a series. But as for a good book not yet mentioned is Magic Street, I gave it to one of my friends to read now she wants to read other stuff by OSC, and I still haven't goten it back casue she had another one of my friends read the first chapter, now shes barrowing it.
Posted by DaisyMae (Member # 9722) on :
quote:Originally posted by Libbie:
quote:Originally posted by Rotar Mode: What's the first OSC book I should read?
Any of them.
Also, I need to plug Hart's Hope more here because apparently I'm like the only person on Earth who's read it. YOU GUYS ARE ALL MISSING OUT!
I agree that Hart's Hope is great. And I also agree that Treason is great (one of my faves). Let me just say that Lost Boys is one of very favorites, very poignant for parents. Be aware there is more LDS culture involved with Lost Boys than many/most of the others, but that is secondary to the story, imo.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
Not as much as there is in Saints. <grin>
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I think OSC makes an effort to have a book be readable by people outside the culture, though.
I'd like to put in a plug for Memory of Earth for the sole reason that the series is finished. But let's face it, if you get hooked enough to finish that series, you're going to get into the other series that aren't finished, so we really can't spare you that pain in the long run.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Dark as night, you and I are alike as two peas. Enchantment is my favorite stand alone novel of his.
As for what to read first, here are my recommendations:
Seventh Son - it wasn't my first OSC book, but I think it should be one of the first anyone reads. The first three books of this series are ridiculous works of mad genius.
Ender's Game - I suggest that you dive into this series ASAP, as it is so fantastic and meaningful. I'll put in my vote for Speaker for the Dead. I really think it's the best work OSC has ever done.
Enchantment - It's all by itself and so much fun.
Lovelock - OSC's collaboration with Kathy Kidd. It's one of the ones I read over and over again.
Happy reading. I'm jealous that you have all of this to discover for the first time. It's like Christmas! Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I still haven't read anything past the Ender's Game series. I've read everything in that series (just recently got Shadow of the Giant in paperback), but with all the reading I have to do in my history classes I never seem to get much around to reading for fun anymore.
I suppose I'll get around to something next summer.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
For one of the lesser known ones, read Treason.
Posted by jeeshkid (Member # 9885) on :
Don't read Ender's Shadow first. It takes away the mystery of Bean.
Posted by Nikisknight (Member # 8918) on :
You've found a good author to kill time with, but it's interesting to me that one would know which author to persue without having read any of his books yet. Usually word of mouth recommendations are for specific books rather than authors, I'd assume. How did you get turned on to this site?
Oh, and Ender's game is the most famous and quite good, I'll recommend Enchantment, as a good stand alone, as was mentioned above.
Posted by Rotar Mode (Member # 9898) on :
My son-in-law is an avid OSC fan. He doesn't post on the forums, but he showed me the site.
Posted by Neon cricket (Member # 9729) on :
I Loved enders game but I have my reasons for saying that a really good read with alot in it is the Worthing Saga. I loved how it had a lot of little short tales in it that gave you the big picture in the end of how a man can be a god. in the eyes of others....alos dont forget that you can sample books on this site and read one of my favorite short stories homless in hell.
Just look in the library on this site
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by pooka: I think OSC makes an effort to have a book be readable by people outside the culture, though.
True. I gave my kid "Ender's Game", and after he finished it, he said to me, "Ma, I think the author must be Jewish." Posted by Mazer (Member # 192) on :
Ender's Game and Seventh Son are both good starters because they lead off his two biggest series.
I really enjoy repeated readings of Lovelock, Enchantment, Lost Boys & Maps in the Mirror.
Lost Boys is easily one of Card's best novels, IMNSHO. The LDS culture inclusion is hardly an issue for enjoying the book, (I am no Mo), and honestly LDS flavors everything OSC writes, so you might as well get used to it.
3 great things about Lost Boys:
"Every thirst you slake, every cake you bake"
The father's pwn4ge of the teacher
Card's ability to make the most uninteresting minutia fascinating, (The job scenes.)
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