Books : A War of Gifts: An Ender Story (Ender)

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Author name: Orson Scott Card

: A War of Gifts: An Ender Story (Ender)
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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780765312822
ISBN number: 0765312824
Label: Tor Books
Manufacturer: Tor Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 128
Printing Date: October 30, 2007
Publishing house: Tor Books
Release Date: October 30, 2007
Sale Popularity Level: 16641
Studio: Tor Books



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Editor's Notes and Comments:

Product Description:
Orson Scott Card offers a Christmas gift to his millions of fans with this short novel set during Ender's very first years at the Battle School where it is forbidden to celebrate religious holidays.
 
The children come from many nations, many religions; while they are being trained for war, religious conflict between them is not on the curriculum. But Dink Meeker, one of the older students, doesn't see it that way. He thinks that giving gifts isn't exactly a religious observation, and on Sinterklaas Day he tucks a present into another student's shoe.

This small act of rebellion sets off a battle royal between the students and the staff, but some surprising alliances form when Ender comes up against a new student, Zeck Morgan. The War over Santa Claus will force everyone to make a choice.




Customer Reviews
User popularity level: out of 5 stars

Rated by buyers 1 out of 5 stars - Can't disassociate the author's politics
Given Card's recent radical comments about government and personal rights, I don't think I could ever enjoy another of his books


Rated by buyers 1 out of 5 stars - There are better alternatives out there
I've read a lot of Orson Scott Card's books, and have always found myself coming away from them a little frustrated. The ideas always seem to be interesting, but end up getting lost in mediocre storytelling. Card dwells on the same unique ideas so persistently, going back to the same well so often, that by the end of the book what I had originally found unique now just seems hackneyed. And now that I've found out Card is so outspoken politically with such (literally) fascist and discriminatory views, I don't even want his books in my house. I've sold them online and donated the money to a worthy charity.

If you find Card's story ideas at all interesting, I'd suggest the following authors for a more satisfying storytelling experience:

Neil Gaiman. Gaiman has the same unique flavor to his ideas, but he also has the execution to deliver an incredible story as well. His work is more on the fantasy side, like Card's Alvin Maker series. The only problem is that Gaiman writes so few books that I find myself becoming incredibly impatient waiting for his subsequent story to come out.

Stephen Baxter and Isaac Asimov. Asimov's works can sometimes be a little less accessible then Card's, but Baxter's are not; they are just as easy a read. Both men are visionaries scientifically, and tell gripping, page turning stories. Both are sci-fi based, like Card's Ender Series.

Stephen King. Most people groan when I say how much I love King's writing, but universally I come to find out that those people have never read his Dark Tower series, just his horror. The seven books that comprise the Dark Tower story, widely considered King's Magnum Opus, are a truly unique blend of equal parts fantasy, sci-fi, and western. Note these are not in any way like King's horror writings, though once you've read the Dark Tower you'll see characters from it turn up in ancillary roles in many of his other books. The Dark Tower, like the Alvin series, is set is a world that is kind of our world, kind of not. The Dark Tower series is hands-down the best series I've ever read. Period.

I hope this helps some readers find some great stories they may have otherwise not found. Happy reading!



Rated by buyers 5 out of 5 stars - Great short story...
I wasn't really sure what to think of this book before I purchased it. I'm a huge fan of all of the Ender's Game books, and actually I'm currently reading Shadow Puppets.

Despite being very non-religious, personally, I found it to be a great story of tradition and beliefs with that childhood touch. It brings back a lot of characters in Battle School, but mainly focuses on Zeck, the child who refuses to participate in Battle School and Ender's power to "heal".

Anywho, I'm not much into writing book reports but I can say for a quick read of about 128 pages from my one of my favorite authors, it was absolutely great in my opinion.

I also quite enjoyed the signed very first edition, with the rough edges on the paper and all =P


Rated by buyers 3 out of 5 stars - "Children have no religion." Card's expose of religious indoctrination?
A War of Gifts: An Ender Story, by Orson Scott Card is a snippet from Ender's Game. It involves two kids from Battle School: Zeck the religious zealot, and Dutch-loving Dink.

Here's what we know:

1. This book will make little sense without having read Ender's Game.

2. You'll blow through this book and its 126 pages in about an hour or two.

3. Ender Wiggins, as he always does, saves the day.

4. Card really goes into the indoctrination of youth into a religious movement, as well as the hypocrisies, inconsistencies, cherry picking, and logical leaps of faith/fanaticism in many religious doctrines.

5. This book is shelved in "young adult sci-fi" in our local library. Whether YA or A, you still have to have read Ender's Game.

While not of Ender's Game quality, it still was interesting. Zeck was too much of a pest, however, and the students in Battle School would not have put up with his shenanigans.


Rated by buyers 3 out of 5 stars - get it from the library
The story is reasonable, if a bit preachy for my taste, with moralizing throughout without going over the top. At a thin size with small pages, the novella was a quick read of maybe an hour and thus was just fine for a library book. Don't even think about reading this standalone, without EG as background.

The climactic scene with Ender and Zeck was brief, with a quick wrap-up and that was it. Ender plays yet another role as a young Jesus, showing the way ahead for the young, confused disciple. OSC explores some ideas on tolerance and free expression in an intolerant and controlled environment, the Battle School. Is Zeck actually practicing religion when he sees everything through a religious lens, even if outwardly quiet and isolated? The story has a sprinkling of basic topics for contemplation.

Forget algebra, physics, combat and even the Buggers: OSC reminds us that those pesky humans, even when little geniuses, remain the most difficult challenge of them all.

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