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A review by clankit
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Homophobia
While not the most homophobic sci-fi of the 70s, repeatedly this book brings up how weird and strange it is that being homosexual is accepted in the future and even encouraged. Mild spoilers to follow detailing probably the most egregious example in my opinion. A character who is a gay man (being homosexual is seen as the norm in this future, with heterosexuality being the "odd" thing) decides to ask a powerful being to "reverse his polarity" and make him heterosexual so that he may fit in with the "breeder" planets. In the epilogue, it is revealed he has married a woman. I don't think the author hates gay people and I believe that he probably meant well, but, as all stories eventually are, this one is very dated.