Children of the Mind (The Ender Quintet)

by Orson Scott Card

Book Overview

Children of the Mind is the fourth book in New York Times bestslling author Orson Scott Card's classic science fiction Ender Quintet--newly repackaged. The planet Lusitania is home to three sentient... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812522397
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Tor Science Fiction
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Metaphilosophy entwined with excellent storyline...

... the rest is history.While yes, this book does seem quite predictable, no, there are not many surprises in the plot, those two issues don't seem to annoy you when you're reading; mostly because what Scott Card does is arouse so many interesting points and ideas that grab your attention, you just don't care that everything always turns out as you expect it.While the storyline is excellent for those who love to just read a plain book, people miss out on so much until they search deeper into the hidden philosophy within. One key section that Card explains in the postlude is his discussion (through Wang-Mu) of the Center and Edge Nations throughout history. But also auias, philotic twining, Outspace and Inspace... sometimes it makes you wonder why some of his ideas seem so logical... and why do many science fiction writers include something along those lines? Makes you think. Huh. Well, anyway, I would strongly suggest this book to anyone who has ever read Ender's Game... but read the second and third books first! You'd miss out on a lot if you didn't. This fourth book is not quite as graphic as Ender's game... so it could be suitable for younger readers. I don't know if they would be interested in the complex ideas, though. Try them out on Harry Potter first.

A fitting conclusion to one of the great series

"Children of the Mind" finishes the story of EnderWiggins, as he finally reaches reconciliation with his past and present. A dazzling array of ideas and conflicts, the novel comes to a very satisfying conclusion. Starting "Children of the Mind" was a tremendous relief, because the ending of "Xenocide" had angered me with what seemed like an arbitrary escape from the plot complications. Rather, the introduction of Peter and Valentine from the combination of Ender's mind and the new mode of instantaneous travel come to fruition in this novel, and prove to be the point of Card's entire quartet. As always, this deeply religious man uses science fiction and fantasy as allegories to study the human spirit in all its facets. Essentially, Card is proposing the divine nature of the universe, and its identification with each and every mind as part of that divinity. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau proposed much the same thing, as did Robert Heinlein in "Stranger in a Strange Land." But Card takes these concepts to their broadest reaches in his recreation of the very structure of the universe, hinging the entire plot and character development of his entire series on this discovery. Like all endings should, this novel moves much faster than the previous two books; in many ways, it's the easiest to read of the series after "Ender's Game." Anybody who professes to be a science fiction fan needs to read this series; it's one of the classics of the genre

Great Conclusion to a Great Series!

Children of the Mind is indeed a stunning and well-written conclusion to the best science-fiction series of all time. It is the second-best book that I have ever had the privilege to read, next to Ender's Game. The relationships are so well-developed that it makes one feel as if they themselves are in the characters' positions. Card does such a brilliant job of drawing the reader into the plot that I was almost unable to put it down. The book also gives surprising twists, as with the complications made by the young Valentine and Peter. Ender's step-children's personalities are also given depth in this book, showing their humanity. Ender is also portrayed in a different light, showing the dependent, vulnerable side of him rather than the headstrong, independent man that many thought he was. If you have not read this book but have read Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, and Xenocide, I recommend that you immediately purchase and read it. It is a worthwhile experience that should not be missed.

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING! THE PERFECT FINALE FOR THE QUARTET

I opened this book, and read it in two nights. It was so well written, and was so powerful. I loved it and couldn't put it down. It's a must read for anyone who likes science fiction. You really get the feeling for the characters, and all of their pain, and their joy. Rivals Ender's Game in quality. A MUST READ FOR ALL!

The best "Ender" volume yet!

This series has "grown up" as I have. I read Ender's Game for its space opera value, and enjoyed Speaker for the Dead for its dialogic nature (religion, science, and reality). Xenocide left me hanging, but I had grown into its "philosophical" nature, and Children of the Mind was just the ending this series needed. It brings the Ender saga to its perfect resolution, offering some of everything we have come to expect from Ender, yet a thoroughly unexpected ending. This book was a wonderful read, and I recommend it to anyone who loved Ender the Warrior (Ender's Game), Ender the Speaker (Speaker for the Dead), or Ender the Philosopher (Xenocide), Card brings all of that together in this climactic volume.