58 pages 1 hour read

Orson Scott Card

Speaker for the Dead

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1986

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Set 3,000 years after Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead follows Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, who is called to the colony planet Lusitania to speak for the deceased xenologer Pipo. As Ender integrates into the Ribeira family, he uncovers complex truths about the intelligent native species, the pequeninos, their unique biology, and a deadly virus called the Descolada, while grappling with tensions involving the Starways Congress. The text includes depictions of domestic violence, incest, and suicidal ideation.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead is praised for its profound exploration of empathy and intercultural understanding, building on the depth of character from its predecessor, Ender's Game. Some criticism points to a slower plot compared to its action-packed prequel. Overall, a richly thematic sequel that stands on its own merits.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Speaker for the Dead?

Readers who would enjoy Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead often appreciate profound moral and philosophical questions explored within a science fiction context. Fans of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series or Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama will likely find similar intellectual and imaginative satisfaction.

Recommended

Reading Age

16+years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Fantasy

Action / Adventure

Themes

Natural World: Space & The Universe

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness