Speaker for the Dead

By Orson Scott Card,

Book cover of Speaker for the Dead

Book description

'There aren't too many recent sf novels we can confidently call truly moral works, but Speaker for the Dead is one. It's a completely gripping story.' - The Toronto Star

'Achieves and delivers more than almost anything else within the science fiction genre, Ender's Game is a contemporary classic' -…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

2 authors picked Speaker for the Dead as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Ender Wiggin is such a fascinating and deep character. Those who read only Ender’s Game miss out on so much! I was floored when I read this second book in the series. The main character, Ender Wiggins, goes from a boy soldier trained to destroy the enemy to a grown man desperate to prevent another genocide.

I also love the idea of using relativistic travel to stay alive for millennia and witness humanity's development. Card does an excellent job of writing a deep set of characters, making us feel like we could step into their shoes if called upon.

And since Speaker for the Dead, number 2 in OSC’s Ender series and another Nebula and Hugo Award winner, is my favorite of all his books, I must include it as well. After the great, terrible war, Ender disappears and many years pass. A mysterious figure, the Speaker for the Dead, arises to reveal the souls and redeem those who have passed on. I very much related to someone who really could grok the life of one recently deceased and speak to the survivors in a way that clarified, resolved, revealed, and redeemed the deceased’s entire existence for them.…

Want books like Speaker for the Dead?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 57 books like Speaker for the Dead.

Browse books like Speaker for the Dead

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in space warfare, extraterrestrial intelligence, and genetic engineering?

Space Warfare 48 books