Ender's World

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY APR 8, 2013

With an Ender's Game movie due in November 2013, this collection of essays about the classic science-fiction novel, edited by the controversial Card himself, should find a willing audience. Intelligent and perceptive, but leaning decidedly toward the hagiographic, the book includes pieces by well-known science fiction writers such as Mary Robinette Kowal, David Lubar, and Neal Shusterman; Card's former students and co-authors such as Eric James Stone and Aaron Johnston; noted military strategists like Colonel Tom Ruby, and John F. Schmitt; the famous songwriter and science fiction fan Janis Ian; and authors who share Card's Mormon faith, including John Brown and Mette Ivie Harrison. The book also features an Introduction by Card and, interspersed between the essays, his answers to various questions about the novel. Each essayist begins with a personal reminiscence of his discovery of Ender's Game before moving to a more focused topic. For example, Stone discusses the novel's problematic ending; Kowal examines Card's own rules for writing and how he breaks them; Janis Ian discusses the psychological importance of Ender being short; while Ruby examines his leadership skills. Card's many fans will find much to enjoy here.