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Without question it's my "lost" novel "Sandmagic," which was the greatest fantasy novel ever written, but it was also the first I wrote on a word processor and I turned it off without saving.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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*chuckle* I hate it when that happens! I myself just lose my best works to the ADD that makes me lose inte
Posts: 68 | Registered: Mar 2005
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I think the greatest work I've read of Mr. Cards is the last chapter of Shadow of the Giant. However, it is not my favorite book, just my favorite piece of his writing.
My favorite book of his is tied: Enders Game and Red Prophet.
Posts: 9754 | Registered: Jul 2002
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I think it's a tie between Pastwatch and Enchantment, although my favorite books change according to what I have read most recently.
Posts: 751 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Possibly Enchantment. Obviously the Alvin Maker series is a particular favorite of mine, but since I take it as a whole series, I wouldn't be able to narrow it down to one book. (Actually, I always read the series in rapid succession, so I can't always remember which book a particular event happened in.)
Posts: 1814 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Oh, I love this. Which of my children is smartest? Prettiest? Oh, let everyone in the world discuss THAT subject and we will truly have world peace <grin>.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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Ender's Game... because it is a special book ... when I read it at least I haven't heard speaking about Card, a friend forgot it in my house and I took it and read it in three days (only two years ago of it, and ... ejem, I stole it from other one who was reading it first and she hasn't ended it ...)
Also I like Alvin and the returncoming and a planet called traicion and lost children and am that I like everything....
Those that less I like (that it doesn't mean that I don't like) are "Earthborn", because it was too strange and it was the first one of the Returncoming that I read and "treasure bow", because it has a very strange plot...
Posts: 111 | Registered: Aug 2004
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1. Ender's Game- It is one of my five favorite books I have ever read. And the only one that is a work of fiction. (OSC is about the only fiction I read these days). Great on so many levels.
2. Speaker for the Dead- There was a time when I thought this was possibly better than EG. Such a different book. I read somewhere recently than Card kind of morphed it into an Ender's Book. That makes a lot of sense. But it wasn't a shoehorn situation. The main character being Ender probably made the book much more complex. In fact, it also made the Bean series much better. I got a strange thrill when they would talk about Ender in the past tense or as if he were gone forever, and I know that he lives a thousand years and has many incredible adventures. It's good writing that makes you feel YOU know a character better than his friends and family.
3. Call of Earth- I can't recall the character's name, but the General who was prosecuting the war on the city was probably Card's best characterization. Sympathetic antagonists are always great. I liked all of the Homecoming series, but this was the one that stood out to me.
4. Shadow of the Giant- Maybe some recency going on here, but I was about halfway through it and thought to myself the genetic and relativistic space travel subplots aside, this isn't really sci/fi. It is geopolitical, military fiction. And I loved it. The same was true of Shadow of the Hegemon, but in this book it was more pronounced. That is why it was as much a book about Peter as it was Bean. It was really about a world that was remembering that war can be fought between humans as well as Buggers. Heck, Humanity was really the main character!
5. Ender's Shadow- I like it on par with the other Bean books, but because I liked Ender's Game so much, this one gets a nod over the others (excluding Shadow of the Giant). The similarities and differences between the streets of Rotterdam and the Battle School was excellent. One knock, and was petty on my part, was that I thought Bean was written in a way that diminished Ender's "greatness." Every step of the way, Bean was ahead of Ender. But then, that was the only reason he was brought on board. In the end, I realized this humanized Ender more to me. And it made me like Ender's Game more.
Posts: 8 | Registered: May 2001
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OSC mentions his "lost" "Sandmagic" novel. Yeah, actually, it might be for the best that was lost. Not quite up to snuff, from what I saw...
I think my favorite so far is Children of the Mind. I'm not sure why cause it's been a few years since I've read it, but every time I have I put it away thinking it was my favorite. The best ending, however, was Shadow of the Giant. The last few pages of that were amazing, and the last paragraph was perfect.
Posts: 326 | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote: *chuckle* I hate it when that happens! I myself just lose my best works to the ADD that makes me lose inte --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
okay, NOBODY else laughed at this? I'm dying...
I read through that without thinking, and now that I read it again I'm cracking up. . . I don't know what my favorite novel of OSC's is. Can I go with the shallow approach and say them all? nah, I'll go with Ender's Shadow. . . Anyone else think that Mr. Card has crossed the line to insanity from genius? He's been kind of scaring me lately.
edit lately being the moment I came to Hatrack not too long ago.
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As far as favorite Piece i would say that Ender's game is by far my Favorite book ever i read the whole series so amy times i had to but another one cause it fell apart!
But as for the books runnign together i consider the homecomign series to be two books in my head 1-4 and then earth born (cause it was jsut SO different for me) So the Top three are Ender's game, The Memory of Calling the Ships of Earthfall, and then Probably Prentice Alvin.
Posts: 9 | Registered: Apr 2005
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I like this thread no matter how many times it pops up simply because a) I'm fond of repeating myself and b) like Porter, my opinions are not set in stone. Having said that, I'll get on with it.
I have opinions on which books are OSC's best, and then which are my favorites. Amazingly, they don't overlap that much.
Favorite: (Top three because I can't pick just one.)
1. Speaker for the Dead - everything he wrote in the forward of this book, about how Ender's Game was the preliminary for this, this book that he originally set out to write...well, that made sense to me after I read it. I love Ender's Game, but I feel like I read it on my way to reading Speaker.
2. Enchantment - It's just good. Really good. The two separate world's are so distinctly described that when the characters pass between the two, you as the reader feel the discomfort, you laugh at the misadventures, and most of all, you understand the deep relationship that forms between these characters as a result of everything that happens. And the dialogue. Wow. Just good.
3. Lovelock - Now, this might not count, as OSC co-wrote this with our very own Kathryn H Janitor *wink*, but I think it's the one I've read the most times. (Funny aside, after about the 3rd time through, it finally dawned on me that the life the characters are living on the Mayflower is much like the United Order in Mormonspeak. Duh. )
Honorable Mentions (because I really can't narrow it down): Earthborn, Prentice Alvin, Shadow Puppets, Treason, and Sarah.
Best: In my oh so humble and "I'm really not a writer so I have no idea why I think this way" opinion.
1. Speaker for the Dead. ok, so it does overlap a bit. 2. Seventh Son 3. Stone Tables
1. Speaker for the Dead- this book is in my belief the best book I have ever read. I always get so moved by it, when I first read it- in the 7th grade I didn't really like it- but now only 3-4 years later, it is truly remarkable. My absolute favorite part is Ender's speaking- and how everything he says is true and everybody knows it, but his words to create something understandable about such a man despised can give me more hope in the world.
2. Ender's Game- This book is what brought me into Orson's little worlds of things he has done. The struggle of Ender is so heartbreaking everytime I read it, and yet I never get over it either- everytime I reread it, I feel more in tune with Ender than before.
3. Enchantment- I for one just love this tale, the story of taking on heroic duties and fulfilling them when one isn't a "hero" but rather someone even better- a good person who will stand up against real evil for the sake of others.
4. Lost Boys- when I first read this- I kept asking myself- 'what is the point', 'what is the plot' I didn't really understand where the plot was going in this book until the meeting with the investigator. I was reading it one time at school and a teacher asked me a 'theme' of the book (just a random teacher- pretty stupid really- and a stupid question too) but the only answer I could give was 'well its the story of a family really'- Family. I knew by reading this, I was getting the most pure ideas of how OSC really thinks, and the last page in that book nearly made me cry- and I'm not one that cries from fiction- only from the harshness of the world. The whole thing about how they were kept in Steuben by both the living and the dead. Beautiful
5. Pastwatch- THe story of people coming together to prevent such an awful travesty as the genocide of the Americas- that's a story worth telling. Christopher was done in a most beautiful light.
Favorite Passages of all time ----------------------------- 1. Ender's Speaking of Marcao 2. Last page or so of Lost Boys 3. The dialogue between Ender and Peter in SotG 4. Bean's quote from the bible in the last battle 5. When Ollie tells Deaver what he really thinks about his family and what he really wants to do with his life. (Pageant Wagon, Folk of the Fringe)
Posts: 30 | Registered: Feb 2005
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My fav will always be Songmaster because it was the 1st OSC book I ever read and I fell in love right there. Pastwatch would be 2nd, great story and has been the jumping off point of many truly great conversations with my Hubby. And I'll be eternally greatful for the Women of Genesis Series. Sarah got me through a very tough time in my life and all of OSC's biblical fiction has touched me greatly even though I do not consider myself a very religious person. I think they have a very universal spirituality to them that can touch you no matter what your religious orientation. I am a lapsed Catholic and never been a great student of the Bible, but these stories made me see the characters in a different way. A "connected" way I never achieved in religious class. I highly reccommend them to everone. I think that this may be the most neglected area for OSC fans. Try Stone Tables or Saints as well. Just great story telling that also leaves you a little better off then when you started reading! Thanks! Posts: 601 | Registered: Sep 2002
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quote: Anyone else think that Mr. Card has crossed the line to insanity from genius?
Maybe there isn't a line! They are certainly not mutually exclusive. It has been interesting to see his posts. He has really let a lot of his personality show through (assuming his posts accurately reflect his personality). We can choose to do that, but we can do it annonomously so it is pretty safe. Plus, who the hell cares who Dread Pendragon is or what his personality is like (I'm quite charming, if you must know )?
The vast majority of us appreciate much of his writing and have almost diefied him (I heard someone say we parentify diety and deify our parents). How often do you really get to know the people you really respect? Maybe he has magnificent self-esteem so it doesn't feel vulnerable to him, but I think it is a vulnerable thing for him to come on and post what he is thinking. I love it. He seems like a real, normal person to me, which is a relief since I am a mere mortal myself but aspire to do big things.
Posts: 159 | Registered: Jan 2005
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I agree with you. Just joking around (well, halfway ), maybe a little expense towards Mr. Card, but that can show I feel comfortable enough with him. I think Card is only as crazy as everyone else here... Okay, so I think we're all slightly crazy, but it makes reading posts more enjoyable. But yea, to come up with all the great stories that he has, he'd have to have some genius in him, or alot, either one.
Posts: 142 | Registered: Apr 2005
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1. Ender's game 2. Ender's Shadow 3. Shadow of the giant 4. Shadow of the Hegamon 5. Shadow Puppets 6. Xenocide 7. Speaker for the dead 8. Chilcdren of the mind 9. Polish Boy 10. Investment Counsler 11. Teacher's pest
1. Speaker for the Dead--I loved this book. I think the reason why is the story of Ender. We see this man who destroyed the buggers and then wrote a couple of pretty cool books, but is still searching for closure and peace. The way Ender finally finds a home, a place to end his wanderings and torment. Of course, the pequenino plot also intrigued me, and I felt so sorry for the self-tormented Novinha. It was very character-driven, which is my favorite kind of novel.
2. Ender's Game/Ender's Shadow--I count both of these as my second favorite, they both stand out in different ways. But the plot of these two novels, the so very scifi-ness of them made me fall in love with them. Along with the characters Ender and Bean, these were very fun and exciting reads.
3. The Worthing Saga--I feel this collection deserves more recognition. The ideas of somec and Jason's descendants hit almost too close to home, eerily echoing today's society and the choices people make. Abner Doon was probably my favorite character, and his concepts about breaking up humanity to move forward made a lot of sense to me.
4. Shadow of the Giant--The most spectacular of the Shadow line (not counting ES) Stand-out for me was the completion of the man Peter, my favorite character of the Shadows (even over Bean) after I read Giant. This book gave me completion, fruition, more even than Children of the Mind. I was left with a sense of satisfaction and hope that left me dizzy after reading it.
Other favorites: Seventh Son, Children of the Mind, First Meetings, Hart's Hope, Lost Boys
Posts: 973 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Hmm. Personally, I was and still currently am totally and rythmatic-ly enthralled by the work Senior OSC did on Robota. To me, his portrayal and usual expert analysis of his characters, along with Monsieur Chiang's spectacular artwork mixed into a wonderful cocktail the happed to satisfy every single taste bud on my mental pallet. Strictly speaking, it isn't truly Senior OSC's book, it is Monsieur Chiang's. The difference though, and all students of the Art- that is, the art of writing- know and tolerate the difficultness and difference between knowing and telling a story. Then of course I am reminded of another scenario similar to this system: Senior OSC's work on The Abyss. I happened to "inherit" many of Senior OSC's books and divulge myself into the "purer" novels.
Moving on, I was also impressed with A Planet Called Treason- now appropriately entitled Treason- which took a unique spin on my view of Senior OSC's writing Curb. Then, there comes my favorite (who is to truly chose a favorite book, especially when one is presented with such a library as Senior OSC has) novel, Treasure Box. Maybe I am a stickler for the under-dogs, but, from my heart, I mean these words a whole-hearted 100 percent.
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Since everyone is picking mutiple favorite books I will follow the trend
Speaker thru Children of the Mind - Being that it is really one story its hard to say which of them I liked better. Miro to me was one of the most well developed characters in any fiction book I have read to date.
Lost Boys - I loved this book becuase by the end of it you had spent so much time with the characters that when the end came you really felt for them.
Treasure Box - I flew through this book. From page one I was hooked and couldnt put it down. The book was erie and fast paced.
Enchantment - Just because it was the first non ender book by OSC I read. I was reading it during the 4 hurricanes (I only got hit by 2) that blew through florida, and it really kept me entertained when the lights were out.
Posts: 52 | Registered: Dec 2004
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My favorites are: 1. Endes Game- I love this book so much I still read it like twice a year.
2. Maps in a Mirror- Can I say a collection of short stories is my favorite? What the hell I just did. Not only are the stories great I also love the parts where he explains the background behind the story. My favorite storie in the book would probably have to be 1000 deaths because its cool, makes you think, and ties into the worthing saga which is awesome.
3. Every other OSC book.
Posts: 832 | Registered: Jan 2005
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For me: Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide and Children of the Mind because they deal(somewhat) with a subject that has always intrigued me ever since I read the Book of Abraham... that is the nature of "intelligences".
Behaviourists talk about nature or nurture, but I have always wondered to what extent a third influence, the eternal intelligence (philote/aiua) affects behaviour.
Is there a predisposition?
Also, is male and female an eternal principle, or did God create some male and some female?
Or maybe I should leave such mysteries alone <grin>.
Posts: 29 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Ok. It is either Red Prophet or Speaker for the Dead. Ironically, they are both the second of a series. Hmm Posts: 21 | Registered: Jan 2005
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I'd have to say Songmaster, the mechanical writing wasn't nearly on the level of say SOTG, but for whatever reason I can really connect with the story, characters and what-have-you
Pastwatch would probably be second
Posts: 187 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Rebekah. I even made my mom read it, and we hardly ever share the same interests in books. She loved it, too. Posts: 25 | Registered: Apr 2005
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My favorite work by Orson Scott Card is the poem he wrote upon learning about the true nature of earthworms in science class:
The earthworm is a little odd: It hath hermaphroditic bod, And in its millimetric girth It crawleth far beneath the earth And 'gageth in its menial toil Amid the grimy, muddy soil. The earthworm doesn't know it's wed To Marybelle instead of Fred; But all of this is idle chatter. To earthworms things like this don't matter. For the earthworm doing what it oughter Is half a son and half a daughter.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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May I borrow that (with proper credit given, naturally) to show my bio class when we get up to earthworms? (Which is soon, actually.)
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Seeing as no one else was brave enough to say so, I love them all equally and for different reasons. Any one of his books/short stories/ poems/etc. could take on ay other..whatever..and win, hands down.
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), maybe a little expense towards Mr. Card, but that can show I feel comfortable enough with him. I think Card is only as crazy as everyone else here... Okay, so I think we're all slightly crazy, but it makes reading posts more enjoyable. But yea, to come up with all the great stories that he has, he'd have to have some genius in him, or alot, either one.
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