58 pages • 1 hour read
Orson Scott CardSpeaker for the Dead
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1986A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Set 3,000 years after Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead follows Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, who is called to the colony planet Lusitania to speak for the deceased xenologer Pipo. As Ender integrates into the Ribeira family, he uncovers complex truths about the intelligent native species, the pequeninos, their unique biology, and a deadly virus called the Descolada, while grappling with tensions involving the Starways Congress. The text includes depictions of domestic violence, incest, and suicidal ideation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead is praised for its profound exploration of empathy and intercultural understanding, building on the depth of character from its predecessor, Ender's Game. Some criticism points to a slower plot compared to its action-packed prequel. Overall, a richly thematic sequel that stands on its own merits.
Who Should Read Speaker for the Dead?
Readers who would enjoy Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead often appreciate profound moral and philosophical questions explored within a science fiction context. Fans of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series or Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama will likely find similar intellectual and imaginative satisfaction.
Recommended
Reading Age
16+yearsBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Fantasy
Action / Adventure
Natural World: Space & The Universe
Emotions/Behavior: Guilt
Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness