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aw21594377's review against another edition
3.0
This book didn't particularly resonate with me. I think for being written in the '70's it had some interesting ideas, but also some very, very problematic ones, too (living the homo life...). Generally, the female characters were flat - but most of the secondary ones were. The only really fleshed out character was the main character. I guess an argument can be made that because the protagonist was in war, traveling through time/space, etc. he really didn't have time to form very meaningful relationships with people. The apathy born from trauma and feeling like people are going to disappear and/or die was real. The social ideas felt a little tone-deaf and antiquated; considering there were some large movements in the '70s for queer people and women, there was virtually no representation of queer people (except that the government made people gay for population control), no trans or bisexual people, and the women were flat and 1-dimensional.
I think this book stayed a 3 star for me because several people pointed out some fair/relevant contextual points. Even still, was fairly uncomfortable at parts to read. Would probably not read again. And to be fair, I really zoned out at times and probably didn't give this book enough attention to have super strong opinions - hence my rating. It's a book, I read it, the writing style was fine/concise, it made points, explored some ideas. Ok. Still, overall felt fairly meh about it.
I think this book stayed a 3 star for me because several people pointed out some fair/relevant contextual points. Even still, was fairly uncomfortable at parts to read. Would probably not read again. And to be fair, I really zoned out at times and probably didn't give this book enough attention to have super strong opinions - hence my rating. It's a book, I read it, the writing style was fine/concise, it made points, explored some ideas. Ok. Still, overall felt fairly meh about it.
ladamic's review against another edition
4.0
The book is full of uncertainty and a kind of dread and aimlessness pervades.
valjeanval's review against another edition
4.0
I went back and forth on my opinions of this book. At first, I wasn't into it at all. Military sci-fi has never been a particularly interesting genre for me, and the futuristic conception of earth 2010 was ... well it was written in the 70s. I know at the time, Haldeman was feeling the pressure of the Vietnam War's effects on society. I can see where his fears came from and how he would have felt a real fear of a government-sanctioned zombie society where you couldn't walk outside without a bodyguard. I could see someone else today writing much the same vision for fifty years in our future. However, I had a hard trouble getting past the dated feel.
As soon as Earth was taken out of the equation, however, I found the story gripping. The time skips and relativity made my head spin quite a bit, but I felt I started to get to know Mandella better. I like that there aren't any real character shortcuts taken with him. He is a product of his society with his society's prejudices, and when he's thrust into an unwanted leadership position, he realizes there is no good way to be in that position and he's just as terrible a Major as every superior he's ever hated. His own subjective time is so short compared to the span of the book that the reader is able to feel just upside down in the universe as he is. I loved this.
However, I was most impressed by the social commentaries Haldeman presents, starting right off the bat with women in the military. I imagine his point was to say to his contemporary audience, "What if this was your daughters?" Then throw in some government compulsory promiscuity to complete the horror picture. Viewed from the modern time period, it's impressive that he's able to create a cast of female soldiers, and more impressive that half the time people are shouting orders/fighting, no distinction at all is made.
Then we zip into the future with compulsory homosexuality. Another issue from 40 years ago that is so topical today. Throwing a homophobic soldier into a world where suddenly he's an outsider, everyone thinks he's disgusting and doing their best to just be cool about his disability. It's brilliant, thought-provoking, and I only wish he hadn't taken some of the barbs out in the end by having Charlie decide to change his mind. As someone who lives her life as far removed from war and military as can be done on this planet, this commentary struck me a lot more poignantly than Haldeman's main thesis.
Which isn't to say the main thesis is not lost or in anyway lacking in relevancy. At this point, the never-ending war fought for no reason has become a sci-fi cliche as much as short people on a journey is for fantasy. Haldeman pioneered the idea, and the perspective he took of a simple, uprooted kid literally lost in time keeps it fresh. The book is not one I would have elected to read were it not on my booklist, and it's not one I'm too likely to return to (see earlier comment on my removal from all things military), but I'm glad I did read it.
As a side note, very weird to read this so soon after reading "Old Man's War." I got the edition with Scalzi's forward apologizing for taking so long to read the book everyone kept blaming he stole for his own novels. I don't think that's a fair criticism, really, but I did keep picturing all of the characters with green skin accidentally.
As soon as Earth was taken out of the equation, however, I found the story gripping. The time skips and relativity made my head spin quite a bit, but I felt I started to get to know Mandella better. I like that there aren't any real character shortcuts taken with him. He is a product of his society with his society's prejudices, and when he's thrust into an unwanted leadership position, he realizes there is no good way to be in that position and he's just as terrible a Major as every superior he's ever hated. His own subjective time is so short compared to the span of the book that the reader is able to feel just upside down in the universe as he is. I loved this.
However, I was most impressed by the social commentaries Haldeman presents, starting right off the bat with women in the military. I imagine his point was to say to his contemporary audience, "What if this was your daughters?" Then throw in some government compulsory promiscuity to complete the horror picture. Viewed from the modern time period, it's impressive that he's able to create a cast of female soldiers, and more impressive that half the time people are shouting orders/fighting, no distinction at all is made.
Then we zip into the future with compulsory homosexuality. Another issue from 40 years ago that is so topical today. Throwing a homophobic soldier into a world where suddenly he's an outsider, everyone thinks he's disgusting and doing their best to just be cool about his disability. It's brilliant, thought-provoking, and I only wish he hadn't taken some of the barbs out in the end by having Charlie decide to change his mind. As someone who lives her life as far removed from war and military as can be done on this planet, this commentary struck me a lot more poignantly than Haldeman's main thesis.
Which isn't to say the main thesis is not lost or in anyway lacking in relevancy. At this point, the never-ending war fought for no reason has become a sci-fi cliche as much as short people on a journey is for fantasy. Haldeman pioneered the idea, and the perspective he took of a simple, uprooted kid literally lost in time keeps it fresh. The book is not one I would have elected to read were it not on my booklist, and it's not one I'm too likely to return to (see earlier comment on my removal from all things military), but I'm glad I did read it.
As a side note, very weird to read this so soon after reading "Old Man's War." I got the edition with Scalzi's forward apologizing for taking so long to read the book everyone kept blaming he stole for his own novels. I don't think that's a fair criticism, really, but I did keep picturing all of the characters with green skin accidentally.
crabbygirl's review
4.0
ok, i joined another book club and i was dreading this sci-fi title. even though i've recently discovered i like sci-fi, i assumed it was only the current stuff. this book was published in the '70s and i envisioned all the crap that hubby used to read (with sexual caricatures for women, and just plain boring details of futuristic machines)
anyhow, it was engrossing. it helped that the author's note made it clear he was writing through the prism of the Vietnam War (and that, because it was obvious, publishing houses wouldn't touch it) the novel spans centuries of warfare and the character progresses through the chain of command so there always something new to learn. there's space travel, and there's a future earth, and there is the senselessness of war. and somehow, there's also a happy ending. what more could you ask for?
anyhow, it was engrossing. it helped that the author's note made it clear he was writing through the prism of the Vietnam War (and that, because it was obvious, publishing houses wouldn't touch it) the novel spans centuries of warfare and the character progresses through the chain of command so there always something new to learn. there's space travel, and there's a future earth, and there is the senselessness of war. and somehow, there's also a happy ending. what more could you ask for?
rottyreads's review
5.0
I read(listened to) this as a recommendation from my father-in-law. I was really suprised at how good it was. It was such an interesting twist on a war story and a surprising love story. The end actually brought tears to my eyes. I don't normally like or choose these type of books, but I totally approve and suggest this book! Girls and guys alike. It might be a little ”easier” (for lack of a better term) to understand some of the military mannerisms and all that. But it s still sooooooooo interesting.
fbone's review
4.0
I especially enjoyed the changes Earth experienced over the centuries. Very insightful for a book written in the early 1970s. The internal struggles, failures and flaws made it all real and personal. The ending was as expected. Multiple award winning novel and rightly so.
krakentamer's review
4.0
Read when I was in High School. I still think about even to this day (25+ years later)
drkappitan's review
4.0
A quick, enjoyable read, until you think more deeply about the fact that it's about the Vietnam War. I appreciated the orientation that the author's note provided.