A review by erebus42
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

With the context of when The Forever War was written (the end of ‘Nam), this is an excellent metaphor for the futility of war, the disconnect of the ruling class/military leaders, and a soldiers struggle upon returning home. It doesn’t get much more obvious where Haldeman drew inspiration from, I mean the major love interest is literally just his actual wife in real life. Even outside of that context, it feels like a more realistic and depressing look at combat than Starship Troopers, another commonly cited pioneer of military scifi. (Not to mention without the weird focus on promoting fascism that novel had lmao)

That being said, it reads as very dated in a lot of ways. The technology described is dated and doesn’t really translate, however that’s fairly common with older sci-fi. What stands out even more is the focus on  “homosex” and how unnatural the main character feels it is. I understand what Haldeman is going for in describing a disconcerting future that’s at odds with what the main character would feel, but wow does it feel wildly out of place with the rest of the novel. The whole story just seemingly keeps jumping back to it over and over until the very end,

when the bioengineered gay soldiers decide to turn straight?? To become breeders on what’s essentially a reservation? Not only that, but the gay soldier questions how weird it is, and the mc repeatedly assures him it’s more natural and that he’ll love it.

idk it’s just very out of place with the rest of the mostly very sober book on futuristic war.

Overall decent read, no regrets. Leave it to me to say I need a break from depressing existential sci-fi, and then pick up one of the quintessential bleak military sci-fi novels from the 70’s lmaoo 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia