Forever War Review

I know I said I would write book reviews about Golden Age science fiction. However, I made an exception with this book. I also made an exception with myself because I don’t normally read military sci-fi. However, I plan on reading Starship Troopers in the future. This book, The Forever War, was written by Joe Haldeman in 1974. I must say, this was a welcome introduction to military sci-fi.

The Forever War won the Nebula Award, the Hugo, and the Locus between its publication in 1974 and 1976. Haldeman went on to write two sequels, one in 1997 and one in 1999, as well as a novella in 1999. On its surface, the book follows William Mandella, a soldier who is part of a task force fighting against an alien race. This is all part of an interstellar war that goes on for centuries. Mandella witnesses the brutality of war, the alien planet and its inhabitants, and the way both Earth and the universe change around him as his lifespan extends.

Like I mentioned before, I normally read other types of sci-fi. Military sci-fi isn’t really my thing. However, I really got into this story. I must have finished this book in a couple of days. I think what I enjoyed most about this book was the balance of action with the quieter moments. Haldeman took the time to not only build up the relationships between the characters, but also the emotions of the characters outside of the war. This especially comes through when Mandella’s mother dies and he’s thrust back into combat, as well as when he witnesses the death of his fellow soldiers. So it wasn’t all action, though that also kept me interested.

I also enjoyed how the book had a clear message about the futility of war. Not to spoil anything, but the reasons behind the “forever war” become apparent by the end of the book. It almost comes like a plot twist that puts things into perspective. I love it when books drive home the core of the story like this. It makes me more interested in reading more military sci-fi. And to be honest, I also loved the ending. I won’t spoil it, but it ends happily.

As I continue my quest to read more science fiction, I think I might settle on Starship Troopers next in terms of military sci-fi. However, I also read a lot of short stories, and I plan to write another short story review next!

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