My Whole Expanse I Cannot See…

I formulate infinity stored deep inside of me…

Jun 11

Speaker for the Dead

Category: Opinions

So, I finished Orson Scott Card’s Speaker for the Dead.  Speaker for the Dead is the second book in a series continuing the story of Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, former destroyer of worlds. Because of the nature of space travel and the way time works while traveling at the speed of light, Ender’s a man in his early 30s who has lived for over 3000 calendar years, giving the series quite an epic feel.

I’m not here to talk about the first book, Ender’s Game, which was spectacular, I’m here to focus on this the second book. Speaker for the Dead is really a book about truth and how freeing it can be to live a life in which all secrets are laid bare. A Speaker is akin to one reading a eulogy at a memorial service, but rather than paint deceased in the best possible way, they simply tell the story of a life, factually and impartially. A Speaker tells of everything from acts of kindness to one’s flaws and sins, honestly and completely. Yes, it can be a painful process for those left behind, but ultimately, it allows them to examine their relationship with the deceased and their relationships with each other without lies and false pretenses. It’s beautiful, really. In a way, it’s kind of how I see Ira Glass and what he did for me.

At any rate, read Speaker for the Dead, it’s an amazing experience.

My next audio book is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

5 comments

5 Comments so far

  1. THEO June 11th, 2008 11:56 am

    By the way, when did you know Johnny Depp was doing your voiceover? When you saw the piece for the first time, or before that?

  2. Lori June 13th, 2008 12:17 am

    It’s been so long since I read Ender’s Game that I’m going to go out and get them both. Awesome.

  3. ryan russell June 13th, 2008 10:29 pm

    Hey Mike,
    I’m Ryan. Most likely you’ve gotten tons of comments and messages about the TAL piece. I’m sure I am another random person, but thanks for letting your story be shared.

    It’s rad you want to get a Cobain tattoo. I went to Seattle earlier this year and saw his old house and the studio Bleach was recorded at, so stoked. I shoot photographs of rock bands and the places I visit, if you want to check some out my web address is: http://www.ryanrussell.net. Even a couple of Dave Grohl playing with Foo Fighters.

  4. Ben June 16th, 2008 12:34 am

    I just left you a comment on your “Snuff” blog about Speaker for the Dead, somehow managing to miss this post >.< Anyways, I’m glad you liked it, but you neeeeeed to read the next two in the series. I personally enjoyed Xenocide the most out of the whole bunch.

  5. Jeff Petrie May 4th, 2009 5:05 pm

    I think Speaker for the Dead is my favorite book of all time. So so awesome. Card writes out some pretty cool ideas for a nutty Mormon.