Customer Reviews

A Planet Called Treason

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Published in 1978, this was Orson Scott Card's second novel (his fourth book to be published). It faded out of print, then Card made some major revisions/rewrites and republished it in 1988 under a different title. I have not read the revised version, simply titled TREASON, but it is supposed to be a complete overhaul with 10% new material.

As Card himself has acknowledged, A Planet Called Treason is amateurish. There is no question Card has improved his tone, pacing, character development, and storylines over the last twenty years. But this story is still one of the most imaginative I have ever read, despite the structural flaws. This is the kind of wild, no-holds-barred fantasy every 10-year old boy dreams about, but few adults have the talent to write (Orson Scott Card and George Lucas come to mind). This novel illustrates why I enjoy OSC so much - even when he's not in peak form, his books are still too fun to put down.

One note about different versions: There are differences between the Dell paperback and the hardback edition (at least, the Book Club edition I own). First, the map included on page 1 is much more detailed in the paperback version than the hardcover. Second, I think there are some minor editorial revisions in the paperback. I happened to notice, when I picked up the hardcover to find where I left off in the paperback, the last sentence of Chapter 10 was changed; I have no idea why this was done or if any other alterations were made

as stated in the other reveiws, the plot of this book is very interesting and imaginative but the aspects of the book that i enjoied were first that the character lanik is a character modeled after an average teenager. all of his actions are based on that of a young adult and thus it shows how one matures over time and when exposed to various stimuli. The second aspect of the novel that i enjoied was the brilliant way in which card depicted the difference between the following catagories of actions that are treason dissent and freedom. The most prominante way in which he portrays this is with the planet treason being orbited by its two moons dissent and freedom. card also portrays this theme or idea in ay least ten different manifestations. Other than this the book was very descriptive and in other words one of those books you can't put down until your done and after that you feel remorse that it is over.

Obviously written early in his career, this story really stands apart from much of OSC's work. It really is a fascinating read, although sometimes dark and a little graphic -- but it would make an excellent sci-fi movie. The hero of the story is a rad-regen, meaning his family has the ability to regenerate body parts (if a finger is cut off, it grows back), however he cannot control his growth as puberty hits, and he has extra limbs and internals growing all over the place. Talk about a bad day. He becomes an outcast, and wanders this planet of outcasts looking for purpose and a future. The ancestors of the planet's inhabitants were outcasts from earth, sent here for their crimes - the planet has no natural resources for them to escape - and hence is called Planet Treason.
A great adventure, and a fun read. You won't be disappointed.

The hero is the product of a society of exiled, but gifted outcasts who have individually founded Families that have in Darwinian fashion genetically adapted their various physical and mental capacities into fantastic abilities, however,they are in competition with each other for the mother planet's favor. Reviled as an outcast himself, our hero flees his Family and explores the planet, incorporating into himself knowledge and powers of the various cultures to become a true "superhero", who sees the power of the planet's diversity and singlehandedly frees it from slavery to the mother planet. Card's love of heroic figures reaches near perfection in this story, and his imaginative powers create multiple worlds within this one book, any single one of which could have engendered a story in itself. This version is much more powerful than the author's wordy second rendition. Kathryn E. Dietz c/o brozak@bear.com

This book starts off really weird, but if you stick with it, it all starts to make sense and is quite interesting. It is about a prince of a "nation" who can regenerate his body parts, alter the flow of time, and command the ground to obey his every command. The plot, however, is how he is going to save his "nation" from destruction as it is being constantly attacked from more powerful ones

I read this book about 20 years ago and I'd have to say this has been one of best books I've ever read. It is proably one of the reasons I've kept reading. The main character is an outcast. He leave his home and travels throughout his planet. As he does so he learns various skills from the people of other cultures. Instead of abusing his powers he uses them consciencely. Although he suffers various trials, he grows and rises above the the situations. This book is a must read for people who enjoy sci-fi/fantasy.

Somehow I missed this book back in the day. I am so glad a friend turned me on to it. Orson Scott Card is a great writer. I have rarely been more entertained and (at the same time) intellectually stimulated. Highly imaginative.

I loved reading this book. I got to a point in the book where I couldn't put it down till I was done. There were no boring parts and I find that very few books can do that for me (short attention span).

If you're looking for a short but highly entertaining Sci-fi read, then I suggest this book.

It contains elements of genetic manipulation to time jumping to master of illusions stuff and terra-forming abilities that just blow the mind.

This book does not disappoint - read it soon if you haven't already!

One of the books that predates Ender's Game, but lets you know Orson Scott Card's potential. I have read this book twice and may read it again a year or two from now. It's that good.

Though this book is fairly old for science fiction it is still very relevant. As well written as Card's Homecoming series. Lanik Mueller is a royal member of the Muellers, a nation on the planet Treason. The Muellers have the ability to instantly heal themselves, making them incredibly difficult to kill. Lanik becomes an outcast to the Muellers when his abilities mutate and make him a freak. He is forced to leave by his father and go on a mission to other nations that are warring with the Muellers.

Lanik discovers that the Muellers are not the only nation with unique abilities. Virtually, everywhere he travels he finds a people with a different ability and kind of like in a video game, he learns how to incorporate each of those powers into himself and starts to become a type of Superman.

He goes on to learn that there is a group of usurpers that are really ruling things and know all the secrets of planet Treason. Lanik must decide if he wants to risk everything he has learned to face up to the usurpers and restore Treason back to the people.

I loved this book from cover to cover and Card continues to amaze me as one of the best authors of our generation.