Helpful Score: 7
Several yarns about a post-apocalyptic world inching back towards normality in Mormon country. It is his first book to address his cultural background. I liked the stories which were quite personal and yet always pointed to the goal of community and government. A science fiction/western series of tales. Reminded me of The Postman a little bit.
Helpful Score: 6
Excellent Collection Of Interrelated Short Stories, November 11, 2001
Reviewer: Kevin Spoering (Buffalo, Missouri United States)
This novel is actually five short stories, all interconnected to some extent. Orson Scott Card writes of a time in the near future after a few nuclear weapons fell on the United States and biological warfare eliminated most of what remained. Civilization has largely collapsed, anarchy rules in most places, personal survival is the name of the game. Card here writes in a very intense and personal way, he puts you directly into the minds of the major characters. The imagery he depicts is very graphic and rich in detail, with all five stories weaving together into a very fine plot, a post-apocalypse America well done. I won't give away any of the story here other than to state that as I read this book I found myself pulling for the people to succeed!
I would have easily given this novel five stars instead of four, four was given due to the fantasy that was used in the last story. When it comes to novels I do prefer 'hard' fiction, where ideas and events portrayed could actually take place in the real world, but don't let this stop you from reading this, as this criticism is minor in regards to the otherwise great novel this is, to be savored and enjoyed immensely. This is the first Orson Scott Card novel I have read and I was impressed by his talent.
Reviewer: Kevin Spoering (Buffalo, Missouri United States)
This novel is actually five short stories, all interconnected to some extent. Orson Scott Card writes of a time in the near future after a few nuclear weapons fell on the United States and biological warfare eliminated most of what remained. Civilization has largely collapsed, anarchy rules in most places, personal survival is the name of the game. Card here writes in a very intense and personal way, he puts you directly into the minds of the major characters. The imagery he depicts is very graphic and rich in detail, with all five stories weaving together into a very fine plot, a post-apocalypse America well done. I won't give away any of the story here other than to state that as I read this book I found myself pulling for the people to succeed!
I would have easily given this novel five stars instead of four, four was given due to the fantasy that was used in the last story. When it comes to novels I do prefer 'hard' fiction, where ideas and events portrayed could actually take place in the real world, but don't let this stop you from reading this, as this criticism is minor in regards to the otherwise great novel this is, to be savored and enjoyed immensely. This is the first Orson Scott Card novel I have read and I was impressed by his talent.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a group of stories, centered around a "what if we had a nuclear war" idea....Orson Scott Card follows a group of Mormon believers rebuilding their lives in the aftermath. Good general science fiction, if not quite as exciting as his "Ender" books.
Helpful Score: 1
This is sort of a Mormon book. If you're a mormon you'll probably enjoy it.
interesting read
interesting people insight.
I flat out didn't like this book. I pushed through it (skimming) thinking that at some point it would get better. I concluded that the author went through his discarded manuscripts, stapled several together and published it as a novel. Nothing to recommend it. In fact I would not even spend $3.00 to send it to someone else.
I lost interest in this book at about the middle of the third story. The others were good though.
Only a few nuclear weapons fell in America-the weapons that destroyed our nation were biological, and there existed a few pockets of order....
