Treason by Orson Scott Card Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Treason
Book Review: The Skeleton of a Science Fiction Masterpiece
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the best pieces of advice I received in my undergraduate writing course was that with respect to fiction writing, it is better to show than to tell. This means that if the character takes an action, the writer should describe the action rather than merely telling the reader that it happened. For example, "Joe clenched his fist and stomped out of the room" makes for a more compelling read than "Joe was angry when he left."
In Treason, Orson Scott Card displays his incredible imagination. The story was, overall, a unique, exciting tale presented crisply and fluently. At the end of the book, however, I was left feeling that I had been told too much and shown too little. Too many events and relationships, including some that deeply shaped the protagonist's character, were relayed in a somewhat telegraphic style. I wanted more of the sights, sounds, and feelings that made such deep impressions on our hero.
The arc of the story and the world that Card has imagined are masterful but their somewhat skeletal presentation did not do them justice. The outline of a sci-fi masterpiece lies in this book but the telling doesn't rise to the story's potential.
It appears that Card, to his credit, recognizes this. The edition I read is rewrite of an earlier work and according to Card, represents about 10% new material. In the introduction to this edition, Card says that if he were to have given the story the treatment he thinks it deserves, the book would have been at least 50% longer. He specifically identifies the protagonist's personal relationships as having unrealized potential. I certainly would have enjoyed more depth in the character relationships because Card's world is so diversely populated.
In any case, the book as it is was an enjoyable read and I completed it with gusto. I was only aware of the work's lack because what Card gives us is so good. Overall, Treason is worth reading both on its own terms and because it allows us to imagine what it might have been.
Book Review: The Trickster does it again!
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't why I am always shocked by it, but once again, Card had me mesmorized as I read this book. Everytime I thought I had it figured out, I found that I didn't. And the imagination of it - creating so many civilizations that were so amazingly unique! It was also the perfect mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, and historic cultures all rolled into one. It had my imagination dancing!Book Review: Underated
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best stories I have ever read in Science Fiction/Fantasy. I think it is majorly overlooked as one of Card's best because it lacks his usual strength of Characterization. But, overall this is one of the best STORIES I have read. It is great tale of the nature of humanity and the struggle to overcome all obstacles. Read it, you will not regret it.Book Review: Walking the earth, saving the world
Summary: 5 Stars
An epic tale combining mystery and fantasy, Treason more than meets expectations--I'd even go so far as to say that it's one of Card's best. Although the storylines are completely different, Card visits moral dilemmas familiar to readers of the Ender series: is genocide an acceptable tradeoff for the salvation of an entire planet? Is the sacrifice of one individual justifiable for the greater good of an entire race? In Ender's Game, Card creates a cold and oppressive cage known as Battle School to confine young Ender. In Treason, Card creates a lush and diverse world for his protagonist Lanik Mueller to explore in his exile. Whereas Ender's growth is largely internal and self-driven, Mueller picks up extraordinary powers while walking the earth, meeting new people and learning new skills. Lanik is frequently forced to ask himself deeper questions about life, sacrifice, and identity, all the while understanding that the more he learns, the more complex and difficult his choices become. He starts the novel alone and a freak; saving his own skin is almost more than he can manage. He ends the novel with terrible powers and the responsibility that comes with them, forced to choose the best way to save a planet hurtling towards destruction and death. Unlike Ender, he is fully aware of the choice he must make, making his decision all the more anguishing and tragic.
Card takes many risks in creating a fantastic world that the reader must simply accept as is--this tale belongs more to the realm of fantasy than pure "science" fiction. Yet the risk pays off, making the reading experience all the more memorable. The reader is drawn in by the nature of the protagonist's grotesque transformation and the beauty of a world that stretches the imagination. The mystery and intrigue surrounding the planet's sudden power shifts keeps the plot moving nicely, and Card creates a strong and believable cast of characters to breathe life into the story, giving it a center and a soul. Finally, Card leaves the reader to ponder Lanik's decision in the face of a nearly impossible choice, in a world characterized not by black and white but by subtle shades of grey.
Treason will probably never garner the attention of a book like Ender's Game, but nevertheless it is an excellent and thought-provoking story. This book is a hidden gem in the canon of modern SF and fantasy literature that will reward the reader who takes the time to unearth it.
Book Review: Wow. Evolution and Sci-Fi meet to result in Treason
Summary: 5 Stars
Treason is one of Card's earliest works. You can tell by the writing style and by conversations between characters. However it has all the ingenuity and imagination that Orson Scott Card is famous for.
Treason is about a planet that is home to human exiles. Exiles all had their job specifications that they excelled at (geneticist, theologist, geologist,etc..) and settled on different parts of the planet. Pushed by extremely harsh conditions and limited resources (lack of metal specifically) of the planet, evolution accelerates for each exile function bringing their ancestors to the pinnacle of their specialization. The main character, Lanik Mueller is a son of Mueller clan chief, Muellers being descendants of geneticist and being able of regenerating any body part. As Lanik enters puberty it's discovered that he is a radical regenerator, growing limbs and organs at random even if not needed, who in this society are treated worse than slaves and are farmed for their body parts. He escapes his home land to avoid being sent to the stables and discovers how all the neighbors have evolved...
The book is a fun read, with fast action and interesting ideas. I highly recommend it to any fan of Card and to just about anyone who likes sci-fi or evolutionary fiction. The idea of accelerated evolution based on specialization is worth exploring, and Card takes it to the next level here. You won't be disappointed