Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

I don't really know where to start!  I loved this book; loved its exploration into humanitarian thought; loved the difference between science and man; loved the examples of how "truth" can hurt, but dishonesty (or simply lack of truth) can destroy, and ignorance can lead to quick judgments.  This was better than "Ender's Game", in my opinion.  Apparently, Orson Scott Card wrote "Ender's Game" so that he could write "Speaker for the Dead", which is the story he really wanted to tell.  

My interest in these subjects began after I read Mary Doria Russell's two novels: "The Sparrow" and "Children of God".  In those books we see how humanitarian efforts to another species can destroy them - despite having only good intentions.  This book shows us what happens when humans are sent to simply "observe" and "understand" and not incorporate "human-ess" into another species.  There is a really fine line between helping people and destroying them.  I liked how the xenologers only tried to "help" by using native animals and plants to provide them with a better way of feeding their population rather than introducing something that would change their environment and their life cycle.  Once again, the xenologers, and even the Starways Congress initially, had good intentions: to observe and learn but do not disturb.  But, by not communicating, no one understood what the other was doing, and this lack of understanding had dire consequences.

I liked the discussion about "circular paradox".  Dom Cristao tells Olhado that most truths can only by expressed in circular paradoxes.  Olhado says that when you really know someone, you can't hate them. Then Ender responds: "or maybe it's just that you can't really know them until you stop hating them." Ender then tells Olhado that it's not about truth, it's about cause and effect.  With human beings it comes down to the purpose (final cause); what a person had in mind.  "Once you understand what people really want, you can't hate them anymore".  Everyone hates Ender.  Everyone loves the Speaker for the Dead.  Personally, I loved them both! :)  Oh to have the experience and wisdom of someone 3,000 years old - in an 35 year old's body! ;)  

There were some tough lessons learned; destroyed lives healed; healthy bodies destroyed; most lives changed.  The best thing is that Ender found love (finally) and Valentine is coming to join her brother. At least there is a little happiness before the next Xenocide (attempt!)

Wendy's Rating: *****