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stefhite's review against another edition
5.0
Loved when I read it as a teenager in the 80s, and appreciate it even more now that several decades have gone by. The topic has only become even more relevant ... Should full citizenship (and its accompanying benefits) be available only to those who serve their country? While an unpopular notion, it could be the only thing that saves the US as the world reorders itself.
nashiraprime's review against another edition
3.0
Me gustó el narrador, creo que es un gran acierto del libro. Johnny Rico crece, duda, teme por su vida y la de los suyos. No es una máquina de matar, aunque esté entrenado para serlo. El problema, a nivel narrativo, es el exceso de proselitismo del autor, párrafos y hasta páginas enteras que sirven de plataforma para la exposición de su ideología e impiden la suspensión del juicio de los lectores.
alixelix's review against another edition
5.0
A book that combines space, military and philosophy? That's got to be a recipe for awesome.
I was starting to think I wasn't a true sci-fi fan after all, as I didn't seem to be enjoying all the 'classic' sci-fi books I should be. They felt like a bit of a chore to read and I had a slight sense of dread whenever I was about to start one. I didn't grok Stranger In A Strange Land at all. I didn't really enjoy reading it. It felt more like a job that had to be done. But Starship Troopers - fuck yeah!
I was a little hesitant before starting Starship Troopers. I haven't seen the movie but I remember when it came out. I wanted to see it then because, well – space bugs, but I didn't. Years later at the video store when I said “Oh, cool! Starship Troopers, let's get that one. It looked really awesome when I was 12”. The reaction I got was less than favourable. “Yeah, nah, let's not. It's … not good”.
So I started with a little trepidation but was soon completely engrossed. Starship Troopers doesn't feel like it was written over 50 years ago. It could have been written yesterday. Not because of the technology or the subject matter or the underlying themes or anything that I could put my finger on, but if you had asked me to guess when this book was written I probably would have given a date in the 21st century. A lot of sci-fi from the same period has a certain 'old-timey' feel about it. I think it's something about the language usage but I'm not an English Lit student so I don't know how to explain it better. Whatever it is, it wasn't there, or I was so busy enjoying the story that I didn't notice it, in Starship Troopers.
One difference this time round was that I hadn't read any essays beforehand making commentary on the book's symbolism or the 'authors intent' or about what the book was trying to say about society at the time or what impact this novel had on future authors. You get them in a lot of new editions of older books. I find these essays interesting but I really should leave them until after I've read the book so I don't get influenced by them and spend the whole time thinking about them rather than simply enjoying the story. I didn't read anything like that before Starship Troopers so I didn't have anyone else’s opinions or ideas of what the book was 'about' or trying to 'say'. I wasn't constantly watching for underlying themes or veiled metaphors.
I really enjoyed Starship Troopers. I would recommend it to almost anyone, not just sci-fi fans. It's an interesting study in human nature and raises a few very interesting philosophical questions that are still as valid today as they were 50 years ago. But more than that, it's simply an engrossing story.
I was starting to think I wasn't a true sci-fi fan after all, as I didn't seem to be enjoying all the 'classic' sci-fi books I should be. They felt like a bit of a chore to read and I had a slight sense of dread whenever I was about to start one. I didn't grok Stranger In A Strange Land at all. I didn't really enjoy reading it. It felt more like a job that had to be done. But Starship Troopers - fuck yeah!
I was a little hesitant before starting Starship Troopers. I haven't seen the movie but I remember when it came out. I wanted to see it then because, well – space bugs, but I didn't. Years later at the video store when I said “Oh, cool! Starship Troopers, let's get that one. It looked really awesome when I was 12”. The reaction I got was less than favourable. “Yeah, nah, let's not. It's … not good”.
So I started with a little trepidation but was soon completely engrossed. Starship Troopers doesn't feel like it was written over 50 years ago. It could have been written yesterday. Not because of the technology or the subject matter or the underlying themes or anything that I could put my finger on, but if you had asked me to guess when this book was written I probably would have given a date in the 21st century. A lot of sci-fi from the same period has a certain 'old-timey' feel about it. I think it's something about the language usage but I'm not an English Lit student so I don't know how to explain it better. Whatever it is, it wasn't there, or I was so busy enjoying the story that I didn't notice it, in Starship Troopers.
One difference this time round was that I hadn't read any essays beforehand making commentary on the book's symbolism or the 'authors intent' or about what the book was trying to say about society at the time or what impact this novel had on future authors. You get them in a lot of new editions of older books. I find these essays interesting but I really should leave them until after I've read the book so I don't get influenced by them and spend the whole time thinking about them rather than simply enjoying the story. I didn't read anything like that before Starship Troopers so I didn't have anyone else’s opinions or ideas of what the book was 'about' or trying to 'say'. I wasn't constantly watching for underlying themes or veiled metaphors.
I really enjoyed Starship Troopers. I would recommend it to almost anyone, not just sci-fi fans. It's an interesting study in human nature and raises a few very interesting philosophical questions that are still as valid today as they were 50 years ago. But more than that, it's simply an engrossing story.
boringdumbname's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the book and was impressed with the way he presented his "rule by veterans" as something that made sense. Certainly, I agree with "what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly", although I don't agree with some of the basic premises of the philosophy. However, as a story, it is quite enjoyable.
There were certainly parts of the movie that I preferred over the book. I liked that women weren't relegated to some pedestal, as they are in the book (barf), and that they can fight alongside the men. The book's giant powered suits would make that even more possible. Likewise, I thought that the romance in the movie was more compelling than in the book, and I prefer the way that the three friends are pulled back together in the movie (not realistic, but the movie isn't supposed to be).
Update: definitely a good story. There are some philosophical elements that are presented as truth that have been since shown to most likely not be, and even within the story, there are some contradictions. However, still an enjoyable read.
There were certainly parts of the movie that I preferred over the book. I liked that women weren't relegated to some pedestal, as they are in the book (barf), and that they can fight alongside the men. The book's giant powered suits would make that even more possible. Likewise, I thought that the romance in the movie was more compelling than in the book, and I prefer the way that the three friends are pulled back together in the movie (not realistic, but the movie isn't supposed to be).
Update: definitely a good story. There are some philosophical elements that are presented as truth that have been since shown to most likely not be, and even within the story, there are some contradictions. However, still an enjoyable read.
tregina's review against another edition
2.0
It's been several years since the first time I read this, but I was inspired to read some more military-oriented fiction after Mockingjay (esp with regards to propaganda). [September 2011] I always have issues with classic science fiction—it's hard to get over how appalling it is that it was easier to imagine aliens and interstellar war than treating women as equals—but it's still an interesting book. I'd forgotten just how different it is from the movie (which succeeds where it fails and fails where it succeeds, though more of the latter than the former).
riderred97's review against another edition
3.0
This isn’t a bad book, it’s well written and has a fairly interesting premise. What’s concerning however is the author’s views that obviously reflect his military service. As he served in peacetime BETWEEN world wars, it is very hard to think his views on the necessity of war or that only military men should lead are worth giving any weight to.
mjd3jaggy's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into this thinking it was gonna be satirical. I've heard the movie compared to Helldivers, which is pretty much full on "FOR DEMOCRACY!!!!".
That being said, I really liked it. I've mentioned in one of my notes that I really liked the theory and history lecture sections. They were probably my favorite parts, but I also liked the interactions between Johnnie and the other officers a lot too. It was interesting watching Johnnie learn how to command and become a leader.
Now I definitely want to watch the movie to see what it's like.