Old Man's War discussion

I thoroughly enjoyed Old Man's War and hope to read more in the series which might go some way to deal with one point that occurred to me after finishing it. It's a great, easily readable gallop of a story, a wondrous adventure with a sense of fun and danger.

SPOILERS AHEAD

But for all that, by the end I felt slightly cheated. The build up portrays a frightening universe in which humans are only one race, on their own, pitted in a desperate struggle for survival against all manner of other civilizations. The characters, who have no idea of this during their comfortable, provincial lives on Earth, are effectively awoken in a galaxy where life is a constant fight to keep a toehold in space.

So far so good. Yet by the end, it seems that in retrospect humans do pretty well in this constant battle especially after they work out how to toady up to their big brothers, the Consu. No one seems that much of a threat and the perfect example of this seemed to be when they land on the planet of Lilliputtans and the main character starts throwing the enemy aliens around like King Kong.

The only death of one of the main characters that made an impression was the woman who is killed, not by aliens, but by striking human miners.

Anybody else feel the same way? I really enjoyed it though and hope to read more in the same series, which was so wonderfully easy to read that turning the pages was joyful.

Keep going in the series, this impression will get both stronger and weaker. Their are threats, but humanity turns out to be wonderful at war and politics, mostly by being the most ends-justify-the-means little shits in the universe.

I have to agree as well. This is especially true in the latter books. Heck by the last one it seems that humans are kind of the bad guys .

Well after seeing what the species does to itself, I can only assume we'd do much worse to other species.

Wow! Nothing to say about character development, combat strategy/descriptions, gee whiz tech ideas? No expression of wonder at the prospect of such an adventure at the end of your mortal life with all your cumulative knowledge and experience available to you? Just bag on the the human race? I've read the entire series and love it. Come on guys where's your imagination,books like this are supposed to take you to another place because it's fun and not boring.

I disagree. The OMW universe is very dangerous indeed. The fact that humans are fairly tough doesn't make it less so.
And yes, some of the humans are duplicitous -- this is a surprise? Some of them are also heroic and honest.

Phaedre wrote: "Wow! Nothing to say about character development, combat strategy/descriptions, gee whiz tech ideas? No expression of wonder at the prospect of such an adventure at the end of your mortal life with ..."

Well said, Phadre.

Phaedre wrote: "Wow! Nothing to say about character development, combat strategy/descriptions, gee whiz tech ideas? No expression of wonder at the prospect of such an adventure at the end of your mortal life with ..."
I never said i didnt like the book, I enjoy sci fi as much as anyone, but that does not mean I cant agree with someone who has raised some valid points.

I totally agree, and was enthralled with the concept of becoming young after living a full life. I felt a kinship with the main characters, and found the book well worth what I paid for it. I used to buy paperbacks before Kindle and would spend on the average around ten dollars. Well done stories I remember, and this one I did not forget.Jonathan G. Meyer

Deeptanshu wrote: "Phaedre wrote: "Wow! Nothing to say about character development, combat strategy/descriptions, gee whiz tech ideas? No expression of wonder at the prospect of such an adventure at the end of your m..."

You are right. I analyze books all the time (read pick them apart,)but give credit where it's due. In life balance is a good thing. What I remember about those little people is the misery of the soldier with his guilt over killing sentient beings who were so over-matched. What were his choices? Desert? To where? Suicide himself? Refuse? We don't know what the consequences of refusal would have been. Would he have been executed for breach of contract? We don't know. What we do know is that he despised himself for his actions. A burden that soldiers have had to bear since the beginning of all war. I am a veteran too and there are never any easy answers in the real world. See, you guys got me started, when you know that "girls just want to have fun" and kick butt in fantasy land. :)