The Memory of Earth

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre Card
Review: As author of such excellent books as Ender's game and Speaker for the Dead, Orson Scott Card has made his mark in the often-dubious world of science fiction.

With The Memory of Earth, Card has succeeded in imagining a world and a plot that is creative and striking in its originality. What he tries to make up for in creativity, however, he lacks in writing style, development and diction. I have only read this book, the first of the five novels in the series, but it has done little to urge me to continue.

That does not mean I don't like Card's ideas; they are quite refreshing as he attempts to write a truly spiritual science fiction book. Yet the concept of the Oversoul soon wore on me...and once I reached the end of The Memory of Earth, I was surprised, because in almost 300 pages, very little seemed to have happened. For some books, this means that the author has taken his or her time to develop the plot; not in this case.

A part of me feels I am being hard on Card; if I could give an extra half-star star, I would, but the fact is that I have to measure up Card against his own writing. And this book (I cannot speak yet of the series) just does not quite make the grade.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing Beginning
Review: From a predominant author in the sci-fi genre comes the first book of five in a series. The Oversoul, a mastermind computer that orbits the planet of Harmony, was built by the decendants of Earth, who came to the planet over a million years ago. It was designed to constrain thoughts of war and war-like technology from it's inhabitants, lest they repeat the fate of their ancestors. After working for a million or so years, the Oversoul is now starting to show signs of wear and tear. A select few on Harmony realize what is going on and hence the drama of the book.

This is the first Card that I have read and while I was not blown away, this left me impressed enough to pick up the sequel when I come across it. This is by no means action packed, but that's what I liked about it. This is more of a political and family drama set in the sci-fi genre. It deals with relationships and the functioning govornment of Harmony and how they are impacted by the Oversoul. While it does have the almost obligitory chase scene and really cool gadgets. This is more of a, dare I say it, thoughtful sci-fi novel.

The concept, world and characters are fully realized. The women in this novel are exceptionally strong. However, it was somewhat tedious at the beginning because you feel like you have been dropped in the middle of something and you must catch up as you go along. A tad more expostion would have done the trick.
However the alternative could have been much worse. I have, as I'm sure you have as well, read too many sci-fi novels where the author tries to get an arcane philosophy across and it winds up being onanistic drivel. Not the case here. While there is some great food for thought, it lends itself to the story and moves it forward.

I also liked that Orson Scott Card is influenced from the best. While this has the Old Testament all over it, look for nods to Aldous Huxley and Anthony Burgess as well.

However it lacks an emotional pull and in some instances the use of dialogue can be somewhat strained. The alpha male bantering between the fourteen year old protagonist and his brothers, while relatable, seem awkward at times.

Flaws aside, I can think of plenty worse out there. Not a bad way to pass some time and while by no means a classic, I can see the appeal of Orson Scott Card and will most likley buy "Enders Game" as a result.

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Adaptation
Review: I've been a Card fan since reading Ender's Game (reading it to pieces, eventually) and he continues to be one of my favorite authors, only getting better as he comes out with new works. The rumor is bandied about all over these reviews that the book is based on the Book of Mormon. Yes, it's true. Card himself has confirmed this (he is a member of the Mormon Church, as am I) and anyone who has read them both will find it obvious. Nafai, for example, is Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Card's Mormon legacy can also be seen in his Alvin Maker series, an allegory of the life of Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, and he has woven elements of Mormon theology into many of his other works, especially the later books in the Ender series. Of course, these books are well worth the read whether you care about the religious element or not.

Rating:
Summary: The strength of this book lies not in its plot
Review: In reading this book, it will most likely only seem truly worthwhile if you realize that the book is not built around a plot. What this book is, is an exploration into the minds of the characters which Card has created. The plot is made to put these characters in different situations so that you can observe how they react to it. The brilliance of the book is found not in the plot (although it is by no means bad) but in the fact that he has created characters that are so fully developed by the end of his five-book series that in our minds they can become like real people. He created a story without two-dimensional characters of good and evil, but a story in which he shows that each character's actions and choices are understandable, if not condonable, when the situation is shown from their perspective. Card created a story in which "evil" is shown not as an innate want to do wrong, but as the misguided attempt to do right. It is for this very truthful perspective on the human mind, and Card's prowess in describing it, that earned this book a 5 star rating in my book.

Rating:
Summary: What a well written book!
Review: This book is the first of Orson Scott Cards' I have read and I am thoroughly impressed. His characterization and plots are second to none. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Ideas, Ideas, Ideas...
Review: To most followers of literature, Card has never really produced text that will withstand the passage of time, but it is his profound and often torridly philosophic ideas that make his many works so fun to read. This series is no different. Like Arthur C. Clarke or Walter Miller Jr., he toys with the idea of a post-apocalyptic society rebuilt in an attempt to avoid the mistakes caused by the creation of nuclear technology.

In this first book, Card paints an interesting matriarchy, a structure that departs both from this genre of fiction as well as male-literature in general. Do not expect an excessive amount of plot development as Card is primarily establishing his main character's transformation from follower into leader and nothing more. However, he was able to interest me enough to keep reading, and I very much look forward to the next four books in this series.

This is also the first book of his that I have noticed Card's religious views reflected in one of the societies he's created. I find it fascinating that such a biblical interpretation has been clouded by a complex matriarchy (an interesting idea if one considers Card's mormon ties). Read this book if you enjoy the idea of a rediscovery of post-apocalyptic society. However, read Miller's 'Canticle for Leibowitz' if you want a superior example.