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From: ariels@orca.UUCP (Ariel Shattan)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Pet Peeve with SF Titles
Message-ID: <1512@orca.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 20-May-85 01:45:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: orca.1512
Posted: Mon May 20 01:45:50 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 22-May-85 01:55:10 EDT
References: <762@mtgzz.UUCP>
Organization: sixes and sevens
Lines: 38

Mark Leeper wrote:

> This is one of my pet peeves with some science fiction writers.
 [...]
> This title promises one sort of story and the film delivers
> something fairly different with the implicit statement "Oh, sorry if
> you misunderstood our title."

> In fact, we see the same game played by respected science fiction
> authors.  A prime example just came to my attention.  Orsen Scott Card
> titled a recent novel ENDER'S GAME.  That title conjures up interesting
> ideas.  In fact many games can be turned over in the end-game.  Players
> in various games can "shoot-the-moon" as they see some sort of game
> coming to an end.  Particularly since they have nothing to lose.
> Somebody with a good endgame plan can make any sort of game
> interesting.  This is just the principle that might make Card's
> alien invasion story interesting.  It may even be there.  But I just
> read a review of the story that said the story took its name from the
> main character named Ender.  "Oh, sorry if you misunderstood the
> title."

First, "Ender's Game" is a short story (well, maybe novellette). It
first appeared in Analog, and is anthologized in UNACCOMPANIED
SONATA.

Second, "Ender's Game" does get it's title from the name of the main
character, true.  But, the "Game" in the title is also very
important.  And the "endgame" idea is also part of the story.  I
understand your pet peeve, but it just doesn't wash with this
particular story.  

Third, this story happens to be excellent (as is the entire
collection).  If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.  It's
the kind of story who's plot sticks with you long after you've
forgotten the title.

Ariel Shattan
..!tektronix!orca!ariels