Xenocide
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 Cover of first edition (hardcover) | |
| Author | Orson Scott Card |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | John Harris[1] |
| Language | English |
| Series | Ender's Game series |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Published | 1991 (Legend), 1992 (Tor Books) |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback & ebook) |
| Pages | 592 |
| 813/.54 20 | |
| LC Class | PS3553.A655 X46 1991 |
| Preceded by | Speaker for the Dead |
| Followed by | Children of the Mind |
Xenocide (1991) is the third book in the Ender's Game series, a science fiction novel by American writer Orson Scott Card[2]. Published during a period of increasing globalization and heightened awareness of cultural differences, Xenocide explores themes of communication, xenophobia, and the potential dangers of advanced technology. Card's work often delves into moral and philosophical dilemmas, and Xenocide continues this trend by examining the complexities of interspecies relations and the responsibilities of wielding immense power. The novel's exploration of these themes reflects contemporary concerns about cultural understanding, technological advancements, and the potential consequences of unchecked power. It was nominated for both the Hugo and Locus Awards for Best Novel in 1992.[3]
Background
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: The publication background of the novel and its preceding short stories, including third-party sourced information on Card's description of the place of the book in the Enderverse canon, the meaning of the title, and other published statements providing background. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
As has been common in science fiction writing since the Golden Age of Science Fiction, Card incorporated parts of an earlier published story, "Gloriously Bright", from the January 1991 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact, into the novel Xenocide. Card stated that portions of this short story appear in Chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 of the novel.[4][page needed] This practice of expanding shorter works into full-length novels is a recognized technique in science fiction publishing, allowing authors to develop themes and characters more fully, and offering a potential pathway to publication for writers trying to break into the novel market.
The novel's theme is summarized in the title, which refers to the "killing or attempted killing of an entire alien species".[5] 'Xeno-' comes from the Greek for stranger, foreigner, or host.[6][7] '-Cide' refers to killing, from the French -cide, that from the Latin -cidium, meaning "a cutting, a killing".[8][9] While xenophobia means fear of foreigners, xenocide, as Card defines it, refers to the extinction of any intelligent nonhuman species.[2] The exploration of this concept within the novel reflects broader societal anxieties about prejudice and the potential for conflict between different cultures or species, echoing historical instances of genocide and highlighting the dangers of intolerance.
Plot summary
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On Lusitania, Ender finds a world where humans, pequeninos, and the Hive Queen can all live together. However, Lusitania also harbors the descolada, a virus that kills all humans it infects, but which the pequeninos require in order to become adults. The Starways Congress fears the effects of the descolada, should it escape from Lusitania, to the point that they have ordered the destruction of the entire planet, and all who live there. With the Fleet on its way, a second xenocide seems inevitable. This scenario reflects the potential for devastating consequences when fear and lack of understanding drive decision-making, echoing real-world historical events where perceived threats have led to extreme measures.
A book-length plot description (an additional 1800 words, 11,578 characters)
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Lusitania[edit]Following the events of Speaker for the Dead, the novel portrays a complex ecosystem on Lusitania where humans, the pigmy-like Pequeninos, and the Hive Queen coexist. This fragile peace, reminiscent of the complex ecological balance found in many real-world environments, is threatened by the descolada virus, a crucial element in the Pequeninos' life cycle but lethal to humans. The Starways Congress's decision to destroy Lusitania to prevent the virus's spread highlights the central conflict of the novel: the potential for fear and misunderstanding to lead to drastic and irreversible actions. This mirrors real-world anxieties about pandemics and the extreme measures sometimes taken to contain them, raising questions about the ethical implications of sacrificing a few for the perceived safety of many, a recurring theme in discussions of public health crises throughout history.
(Remainder of plot summary omitted for brevity, as instructed) |
Reception
[edit] | This section needs expansion with: the usual review and nomination citations and description common to this section. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
Xenocide received recognition in the science fiction community with nominations for the prestigious Hugo Award and the Locus Award for Best Novel in 1992.[3] These nominations highlight the novel's impact and contribution to the genre, demonstrating its exploration of complex themes and its engagement with contemporary social and political issues, resonating with readers and critics alike.
The New York Times Book Review offered a mixed assessment of Xenocide in 1991.[2] While acknowledging the ambitious scope of the novel's philosophical explorations, the review also criticized its pacing and dialogue, suggesting that the complex ideas presented might have been more effective in a shorter format. This critique points to a common challenge in science fiction: balancing intricate world-building and philosophical depth with engaging narrative and character development. The review's simultaneous acknowledgement of the novel's ambitious scope and criticism of its execution suggests a continuing debate within the genre regarding the optimal balance between complex ideas and accessible storytelling. Despite these criticisms, the review recognized the novel's thought-provoking premise and its ability to maintain reader interest. This suggests that while the execution may have had flaws, the underlying concepts resonated with critics and readers, sparking discussions about the nature of prejudice, the ethics of scientific advancement, and the responsibility of individuals in the face of existential threats, themes that continue to be relevant in contemporary society.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Harris, John. Illustrator. Xenocide. By Orson Scott Card. Tor, 1991.
- ^ a b c "The New York Times: Book Review Search Article". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ a b WWE Staff (July 21, 2024). "1992 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Tres Barbas, LLC. Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
- ^ Card, Orson Scott (1991). Xenocide. New York, NY: Tor Books. ISBN 0312850565. OCLC 22909973.[full citation needed]
- ^ Prucher, Jeff (2024) [2006]. "Xenocide". The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195305678.001.0001. ISBN 9780199891405. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Harper, Douglas & Etymonline Staff (2024). "xeno-". Etymology Online. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ OED Staff (2024). "xeno-". OED.com. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Harper, Douglas & Etymonline Staff (2024). "-cide". Etymology Online. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ OED Staff (2024). "-cide". OED.com. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
External links
[edit]
- About the novel Xenocide from Card's website
- Xenocide title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database