Customer Reviews

Keeper of Dreams

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are a few really good stories in the book, but most of them are just okay. The stories don't feel as well developed as those in Maps in a Mirror. The characters aren't terribly compelling. The themes of the stories are repetative. Perhaps some of the problem is that many of the stories are his older work? Disappointing on the whole.

The collection is broken into categories with six Science Fiction entries; eight Fantasies; two Literary; two Hatrack River (short novels related to Alvin Maker); and four Morman Stories. Each entry has notes afterward in which Orson Scott Card provides additional information. The compilation showcases the depth of the author as Mr. Card runs the gamut of the sci fi-fantasy continuum. Many have children especially teens and the lead characters are caught up in complex moral scenarios or questions on ethical choices. The "nonreligious" Morman tales are obviously timely and although Mr. Card explains that he targets Mormon readers as a Mormon writer; other fans might think these are "weird", but many of these others in the audience will still appreciate tales of characters facing personal crisis inside a "ward". Well written throughout, readers will relish the deep yet wide skills of Mr. Card to coax his audience to think beyond his enjoyable KEEPER OF DREAMS.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoyed the diversity of the short stories in the book, and I really liked that many of the stories fall outside of the more common "Hatrack River" and "Ender's Game" series that everyone reads.

Other have commented that the stories and characters are not as developed as in some of the other short story collections, and that is true for some of the stories included but not all. Part of the beauty in this collection is OSC's detailed notes following each story describing when it was written, what was happening and why it is what it is, and not more or less.

I liked Maps in a Mirror better than this book, but this one still had quite a few good stories. I am an amateur writer, and some of the tales in this book gave me a springboard for my own creativity. I WOULD recommend this to other OSC fans.

If you liked the Ender's Game series, you probably won't like this book by Card. This is the only other book I've read by this author other than Ender's Game. There is lots of magic and mysterious occurances that he doesn't try to explain with fictional science. So it's not Ender's Game genre, but good short stories.

if you're a fan of orson scott card, you should enjoy this book. it doesn't represent his best work in my humble opinion, but it's a good book for the people who are completists for this author. What i like about this book is that despite it's thickness, it's quite easy to pick it up and put it down due to its nature, you can just read one story and take a break and then move on to the next - one reason why i like short story collections so much.

This collection of short stories was both entertaining and thought provoking. The author's notes at the end of each story was a privileged glimpse into the mind of a creative genius. Even with the explanations, I'm still blown away by Card's imagination. Elephants as gods? Wow.

I love short stories by OSC or by people he edits and compiles.
Very entertaining.