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Liked It “I can read this one again and again. Something so compelling about it.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Clever idea. Sort of.”
Abinadi Ayerdis wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Songmaster (sf) 338pp co1978 (Wat.lib) July-87”
Peter C wrote this review Friday, November 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a very, very strange novel. I've been a fan of OSC since I was very young, and since I was a young teen I've been very disturbed by the almost violent intolerance of homosexuality he expresses in his essays. This attitude seemed so at odds with the values woven into the stories of Ender and Bean - stories of children who are different, but good, and catch a lot of crap for it but save their tormentors anyway.
Rachel P wrote this review Thursday, November 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This book answered some of my questions. No spoilers here, but suffice is to say that one of the only truly sympathetic characters in the novel is an openly gay man. OSC's treatment of this character and his associates paints a more complete picture of OSC's views on homosexuality, and I found it very, very interesting.
(This has been a favorite topic of mine for a while - there are explicitly queer characters in much of OSC's fiction, most often struggling against themselves - but there is nothing simple or moralizing in his portrayals, as there is in his essays.)
More study is needed. :)”
“I'm still not sure what to make of this book. A book about a kid that sings really well doesn't exactly sound like something I would pull off the shelf, let alone read all the way through, but I did. It wasn't my favorite Orson Scott Card book, but I did enjoy it more than I thought I would. ”
Brett J wrote this review Thursday, October 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I can read this one again and again. Something so compelling about it.”
Beth H wrote this review Friday, September 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good bedtime story”
Anthony A wrote this review Thursday, August 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Read and re-read this book. Cover to cover, an interesting plot, good characters, and a fascinating concept of humanity. In light of other OSC books where the first is brilliant and the sequels fade until I can no longer bear reading, I am very, very glad he stopped this story with this book.”
Kesih wrote this review Monday, June 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a powerful look at what damages the use of strong self control can do to one's mind. The power of love to overcome loss and pain is also a strong thread throughout. Following the young boy Anset from childhood to old age, this story takes paths of inner exploration. it is thought provoking and one that will linger with me for some time. It's well worth your time to read.”
Samplerweaver wrote this review Sunday, January 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ I picked this up at a used book store thinking it might be diverting and was completely blown away by the story. Songbirds are special children trained and only granted to special deserving people to share their songs with. Inexplicable the protagonist of this novel is granted to the emporer of the universe who is a genocidal tyrant.
Robephiles wrote this review Tuesday, February 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I was amazed by the places this story went, the emotions it stired and the revelations it's story granted. I had never read anything by Card before but I've picked up other books since and have them ready to read when I find the time. ”“One of the few books I've read by Orson Scott Card, it takes over 500 pages and gives you the entire life of a good man in a very odd position. Songmasters are not diplomats, but they work to calm and build emotion as needed.
Carla Hollar wrote this review Sunday, December 28 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
When I finished reading (all in one sitting!) I truly felt like I had been a part of this character's life. Wow. Wonderful read. ”
