Read: Old Man's War by John Scalzi
Stars: Five
Drinking: Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea, Stash
I am a huge fan of Scalzi's blog, but I had never read any of his books. So, given a 12-hour round trip car ride this past holiday weekend, I decided it was time to dig in. I tried reading it aloud to Boyfriend while he drove, but he wasn't that interested - which was good, because then I got to read it when he wasn't around! Although the story set-up was a bit slow, by the second chapter I was hooked on Scalzi's war.
Protagonist John Perry is seventy-five years old as the novel opens, and it is time for him to join up with the Colonial Defense Force and leave Earth forever. He is eager for the chance to be young again, offered by the CDF, and for a new life, since there is really nothing left tying him to Earth. He gets a bit more than he bargains for, as the CDF has technology that is leaps and bounds better than anyone on Earth could imagine. It leads John and his compatriots to ponder the meaning of humanity.
This is not just a war story, however. While the war drives the plot, the novel is also a love story. John's wife, Kathy, died several years prior to the opening of the novel. Yet her presence, and John's love for her, permeate the story. His memories of her and of their marriage offer a balance to the horrors faced by the soldiers throughout the universe.
I loved Old Man's War. I am excited to read more of Scalzi's fiction.
I was glad to see this review. I have been wanting to read it, and this encourages me that I will like it, even though not in my standard genre (mystery). I enjoy Scalzi's blog too, although I don't read it as often as I would like.
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