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A review by peppypenguin
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's a classic worth reading. The book does an excellent job of delving into the repercussions, politics, and horrors of war. It is the epitome of one of the best uses of science fiction: building a future world that comments heavily on past and present events and warns of what could be if we are not careful.
I enjoyed following a character that sees so much of the war and the tumultuous changes in humanity (culture, society...). The author has created a universe in which one man can logically see a war from beginning to end. It was certainly top-notch world-building.
I couldn't connect with the main character or any other characters for that matter. Some deaths certainly hit harder than others, but there was almost a wall between getting to understand and feel for them. Perhaps that is purposeful to emulate a level of numbness that comes with being a part of war. Mandella is a somewhat blank slate for us to experience the plot and understand it and the world in full. This works very well and prevents the story from dragging, especially because there is SO MUCH packed in one novel.
There are a lot of scenes that can be harder to digest so I don't recommend for anyone with a weak stomach for gore and murder. Otherwise, I think this should be read by as many people as possible.
I enjoyed following a character that sees so much of the war and the tumultuous changes in humanity (culture, society...). The author has created a universe in which one man can logically see a war from beginning to end. It was certainly top-notch world-building.
I couldn't connect with the main character or any other characters for that matter. Some deaths certainly hit harder than others, but there was almost a wall between getting to understand and feel for them. Perhaps that is purposeful to emulate a level of numbness that comes with being a part of war. Mandella is a somewhat blank slate for us to experience the plot and understand it and the world in full. This works very well and prevents the story from dragging, especially because there is SO MUCH packed in one novel.
There are a lot of scenes that can be harder to digest so I don't recommend for anyone with a weak stomach for gore and murder. Otherwise, I think this should be read by as many people as possible.