Author Topic: Empire by Orson Scott Card (Read 521 times)

Chairboy · « **on:** December 28, 2006, 01:42:49 PM »

Has anyone here read Orson Scott Card's (Ender's Game) new book, 'Empire'? I just finished it, and I think he made some really interesting observations that might interest other folks here.

The basic story revolves around the mechanics behind a current day modern American Civil War. It ties into current politics very closely, and is filled with people not mentioned by name who are immediately identifiable.

The afterword is fascinating, he asserts that the rhetoric in US politics hasn't been as heated and vicious as it is now since before Fort Sumter (beginning of the first US Civil War). He draws parallels between other modern conflicts and how feasible it would be for us to fall into the same traps that other countries have. He dissects the specifics of how the Serbian/Bosnian conflict started (with both sides thinking they were on the defensive) and shows how the same psychology could spark armed conflict here.

There's a little science fiction involved, and a couple of scenes out of James Bond movies, but in all, I found the book insightful and thoughtful, and I'd recommend it to anyone who, whatever their politics, is concerned about where this country is going.

So, anyone else read it yet?

Chairboy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2006, 01:53:13 PM »

Ah, the book has been optioned by Warner Bros to be made into a film.

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/061113g.php

Interesting, I wonder how much of the commentary will make it intact?

Tarmac · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2006, 02:59:27 PM »

I'm a Card fan and have been waiting for this one. I was going to library it in hardcover or wait for the paperback... is it worth buying in hardcover?

Chairboy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2006, 03:26:42 PM »

Arg, tough call. I'm not sure if I will re-read it the way I have re-read Enders Game, it might be too current to survive. But at the same time, the immediacy is part of what makes some of his observations in the book so relevant.

Did I find it compelling? Yes. Is it better than some of his books? Yes. Will it be part of my reading 10 years from now? Probably not, but that's not because it's as crummy as, say 'Children of the Mind' or 'Xenocide'.

lukster · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2006, 03:44:12 PM »

I've read most of Card's stuff. Will have to pick this one up.

vorticon · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2006, 08:02:13 PM »

if its as good as the first half of enders game, it might be worth buying the paperback on sale.

Maverick · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2006, 08:08:55 PM »

I've read several of the "Ender" related books. I have to say that Speaker for the Dead was dragging quite a bit. It lacked the easy flow of Enders Game. I would hope that this one will pick up and be a bit more active.

Tarmac · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2006, 10:51:31 PM »

Mav, pick up the Bean series, starting with Ender's Shadow. It's told through Bean's eyes, at the same time Ender's Game occured. Ender's Shadow is nearly as good as Ender's game, and the whole Bean series is far more entertaining than the later Ender books.

moot · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2006, 06:00:34 AM »

Chairboy, I don't know about how close the movie will resemble the book, but if I remember right, they're making a game from this, too.

moot · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2006, 09:26:43 AM »

The book seems really good (altho I'm a bit biased from having read and liked OSC before), here's the first five chapters of Empire:
http://www.hatrack.com/cgi-bin/book_isbn.cgi?redirect=chapter01&page=empire.shtml

Maverick · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2006, 10:03:45 AM »

Tarmac,

I got them already. You're right they are defiinitely better than Speaker for the Dead.

Chairboy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2006, 10:16:36 AM »

Speaker for the Dead (while dragging and very disappointing after Ender's Game) was still better than Xenocide or Children of the Mind, the last two original Ender's books.

lukster · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2007, 10:21:06 PM »

I just finished Empire. Enjoyed it as I have almost all of Card's books. The mechs and hoverbikes seemed to be a bit over the top though or at least out of place. When I read the acknowledgments at the end I discovered why. They are already part of a game in development based in part upon the book.

Thrawn · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2007, 10:30:51 PM »

Big Card fan, reading Treason, will pick up Empire next. Over.

Tarmac · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2007, 05:43:58 PM »

Used one of my gift cards to pick up the hardcover. Gimme a few days to report.

ed: nm, I'm now expecting to plow through this real quick. It's good.