Must read

Years ago a friend of mine brought me a book and said that it’s a must-read. It was a science-fiction novel written by Orson Scott Card, titled “Ender’s game”. Although I was never an avid reader of this genre, I gave it a chance.

The book was published in 1985 and during the same year it received a Nebula Award. Furthermore, in 1986 it also got a Hugo Award and a nomination for the Locus Award. Science-fiction lovers will know what that means about the novel.

The plot is quite simple but interesting. The Government needs to save an endangered world and the only hope is a brilliant kid. The situation is a real challenge not only for him.

The main protagonist must take obligatory military training, which is very demanding. Ender Wiggin is a well-created convincing person, with weak and strong features. Readers can observe that from one adventure to another he becomes more mature and responsible, as well as learning to deal with problems, making decisions and managing people.

In such company I discovered the rules of the planning process and building strategy, which often required the determination and total devotion of other people, especially kids, involved in the project.

Was this aspect really crucial for me then? It unexpectedly opened my eyes to new important possibilities, which I still appreciate. I also gained some insight into human behaviour and ways of thinking as well as dealing with emotions in difficult situations.

Needless to say, the book turned out to be well-written, very absorbing and unputdownable. It was a pleasure to feel immersed in reading it. I highly recommend this book, especially to teenagers and young adults.

by Justyna Komar