Ender's Game (book)

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

This is one of the best sci-fi books ever written.  It's place upon the mountain top of classic sci-fi books is firmly established, and even after reading it for my fourth or fifth time nothing is going to ever shake it off the classic status. 

So much praise and adjectives have already been heaped upon this book since its publication in the 80's that I don't really know what more to add to that long list - but I shall try.

After reading many sci-fi books and literature books over the years since I first read this book, I can honestly say there is one thing that makes this book as universally acclaimed as it is: character. 

Card, unlike most sci-fi writers focuses on the character of Ender and doesn't get carried away with the technology and sci-fi moments of the story as most sci-fi books seem to do.  This focusing on the character is what elevates this story to a literary level versus just classifying it as sci-fi.  Sure Ender's Game is sci-fi but it is so much more than that as Card weaves all sorts of themes throughout the story but never once looses focus on Ender as a person.  He creates such a three dimensional person in Ender, then Card allows the reader to grow with him as he grows himself trying to figure out who he is and how he fits into this violent world he has been thrown into.  These are such universal themes Card is playing with which has allowed this story to be relate-able to any reader who picks this book up.  The reader can't help but feel for Ender, not just feel for Ender but also relate to what he is going through because at some point in their life the reader has not only felt what Ender has gone through but has experienced something like it.  There's a connection with Ender that endears the reader to him so much so that I've talked with people who aren't sci-fi fans, who absolutely loved this book.  Then you add in the gut punch of ending that is earned with every once of passion with no flare of soap opera stink but justifiable technique - that this story will continue to be classic.