Speaker For The Dead, to which this blog owes its name, is a Science Fiction novel by Orson Scott Card. It was intended to be part of a trilogy which later expanded somewhat, but is, at least to my mind, far and away the best novel in the series. It is possibly one of the best Science Fiction Novels of all time.
The title refers to the main character, Andew Wiggin, also known as Ender. He follows a somewhat unusual profession, that of a Speaker for the Dead. Speakers are strange combinations of detectives and psychologists and orators amongst other things. They are not themselves part of any religion. When called upon to speak the death of a person their job is to give an explanation of the life of that person, that is, to tell the true story of the persons life as they meant to live it including their motivations and desires. They do not soften the truth, but simply tell it, unvarnished, warts and all. The particular story covers Andrew's call to speak the deaths of a number of people on a planet known as Lusitania. It takes us through his investigation of the life of one Marcos, his discovery of the secrets at the heart of that life, and his speaking. It also covers his related dealings with an alien but primitive species sharing the planet with the Colonists.
The book is fascinating in its coverage of many themes, including genocide, redemption, authority, religion and ethics, culture, morals and human motivations. The character has an almost intrinsic understanding of human nature. He knows people so well that he is able to interpret their actions and motivations almost intuitively.
Unfortunately, I don't profess to have his talents. But in this blog I will try to share a little of my own beliefs, of which there are very few, and speculations, of which there are many, and perhaps hear some of yours in return. Who knows, we may even manage to uncover some truths.
