SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

In the introduction to Ender's Game (1991 Author's definitive edition), Card shares two letters, one from a group of gifted children and one from an army helicoptor pilot. In the letters, the fans discuss how the book deeply spoke to them.

Card writes, "These readers found that Ender's Game was not merely a 'mythic' story, dealing with general truths, but something much more personal: They didn't love Ender, or pity Ender (a frequent adult response); they were Ender, all of them...The truth of the story was not truth in general, but their truth."

I found this interesting because having gone to a military academy (see Thomas' discussion on military schools in the finished-reading folder), I over-identified with this story and thought it did represent part of my personal truth. But, I never saw myself as Ender. I read it as if I was always at his shoulder, experiencing everything with him and backing him up, but being Ender remained elusive.

How did you read the story? Where were you in the book? Were you Ender?

If this book didn't inspire you to feel like the main character, have you read another book as if it was your story?

Well, I was a kid when I read this, so I definitely identified with Ender. I also envied his ability to gain recognition and participate in something important. I guess I still do.

I kinda identify with the whole military aspect. I myself have not been in the military but my father and husband were in the air force. And both still work for the Air Force now as civilians. So I do get the whole military thing. I can see where a child would read this story and totally feel like Ender. Everyone wants to succeed, and have a purpose. And I think kids would really identify with that. Other kids try to start stuff and so you have to stop it once and for all. I agree with Thomas, Ender is so good at becoming the leader I am a little jealous of him. He seems to have the perfect military mind.