Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead is praised for its profound exploration of empathy and intercultural understanding, building on the depth of character from its predecessor, Ender's Game. Some criticism points to a slower plot compared to its action-packed prequel. Overall, a richly thematic sequel that stands on its own merits.

Readers who would enjoy Orson Scott Card's Speaker for the Dead often appreciate profound moral and philosophical questions explored within a science fiction context. Fans of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series or Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama will likely find similar intellectual and imaginative satisfaction.

Set 3,000 years after Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead follows Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, who is called to the colony planet Lusitania to speak for the deceased xenologer Pipo. As Ender integrates into the Ribeira family, he uncovers complex truths about the intelligent native species, the pequeninos, their unique biology, and a deadly virus called the Descolada, while grappling with tensions involving the Starways Congress. The text includes depictions of domestic violence, incest, and suicidal ideation.

Contemplative / Emotional / Mysterious / Melancholic / Hopeful

- Speaker for the Dead was originally conceived as a standalone novel but became a sequel to Ender's Game when the publisher suggested connecting them.
- The book won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Novel in 1987, making Orson Scott Card the first author to win the prestigious awards two years in a row.
- Speaker for the Dead introduces the concept of a "Speaker for the Dead," someone who tells the true story of a person's life, which inspired real-life speakers and fans to adopt similar practices at funerals.

**Ender Wiggin**  
The protagonist who is biologically 36 years old, having traveled starflight for thousands of years, and serves as the Speaker for the Dead, guided by his unique perspective and profound empathy.

**Novinha Ribeira**  
A xenobiologist on the planet Lusitania, who is both integral to the scientific community and emotionally distant, grappling with a complex personal and family life.

**The Ribeira Family**  
The family includes Miro, Ela, Quim, Olhado, Quara, and Grego, children raised by Novinha and her late husband Marcão, each marked by distinct traits and influenced by Ender's presence.

**The Figueira Family**  
This family consists of Pipo, Libo, and Ouanda, who are xenologers studying the indigenous species of Lusitania, with pivotal roles in the unfolding cultural and scientific exchanges on the planet.

**Jane**  
A unique entity dwelling within a computer network, who interacts closely with Ender, providing critical insights and support while developing her own identity.

**The Pequeninos**  
The native species of Lusitania with a fascinating lifecycle, showing intelligence and creativity, and forming an essential part of the novel’s exploration of cross-cultural understanding.

**Starways Congress**  
The governing body exerting control over human activity in space, whose decisions significantly impact interactions and policy regarding the inhabitants of Lusitania.

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