The Forever War
-
-
4.2 • 34 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
When it was first published over 20 years ago, Joe Haldeman's novel won the Hugo and Nebula awards and was chosen Best Novel in several countries. Today, it is hailed a classic of science fiction that foreshadowed many of the futuristic themes of the 1990s: bionics, sensory manipulation, and time distortion.
William Mandella is a soldier in Earth's elite brigade. As the war against the Taurans sends him from galaxy to galaxy, he learns to use protective body shells and sophisticated weapons. He adapts to the cultures and terrains of distant outposts. But with each month in space, years are passing on Earth. Where will he call home when (and if) the Forever War ends?
Narrator George Wilson's performance conveys all the imaginative technology and human drama of The Forever War. Set against a backdrop of vivid battle scenes, this absorbing work asks provocative questions about the very nature of war.
Customer Reviews
Vapid.
This book was written in a different time (1974) and for a different audience (the U.S. post the Vietnam War), but that’s not why it is meh. Instead, it just doesn’t bring much to the table despite its awards. And the ending? Feels like a H.S. Honors Writing project.
All the characters, save one, are hollow. The storyline is cyclical. But mostly, it feels like someone fed a good book to A.I. and said “cut the length in half.”
The story does do a good job of exploring the effects of relativity in space warfare. I have no doubt that that was received by a 1974 audience. However, 60 years later it now just falls flat.
Greatly Disappointing
Often called a poignant allegory of the Vietnam War. In reality it’s an weak allegory of Stanley Kubrick’s understanding of the Vietnam War. The novel is filled to the brim with nonsensical, poorly conceived and self defeating choices. All of this topped with a generally low quality of writing makes for a painful read. If you’d like to read something akin to this book but good I’d highly suggest Marko Kloos’ “Frontline” series instead.