Review by nowirehangers (2007-04-06)
This was the first book by Card I've read and considering how popular he is, I was disappointed. Even though I'm non-religious, I really didn't mind the religious parallels, because I thought they were handled in a good and believable way. But I was disappointed with the story itself. It starts out very slow and never really takes off until the last couple of chapters. And then it leaves you with an ending that just sets the stage for the sequels. This wouldn't be a problem if "Memory of Earth" itself was an entertaining book that made you want to read the sequels, but it didn't make me want to do that. For the most part of the book, I wanted it to end so I could start reading something else.

I wouldn't recommend "Memory of Earth" and it didn't really make me feel like reading any more Card. But who knows, I may give Ender's Game a chance since people say that's his best.

Review by sqbr (2003-06-30)
I wish someone had told me not to read this series, and so I'm telling you :)
At the time I was a huge OSC fan, and the sheer boring, drawnoutness of this series put me off him ("Children of the mind" nailed the coffin though) Like the "Alvin Maker" series its a long christian allegory, and feels rather forced as a result. Lots of begetting and arks etc.
I only kept reading out of bloody mindedness and a desire to find out what the "Keeper of Earth" was, and trust me its not worth it!
If you want christian allegory, go read CS Lewis's adult fantasy, otherwise read one of Cards better books, like Enders Game.

Review by bkedryna (2003-03-07)
A distant planet, colonized by humanity very long ago, is being watched from orbit by a powerful, very old computer-god. But now there is some other power communicating with people on the surface. Who/what is it and what does it want?
This is the first book in this excellent series. I read something about this being based on the Mormon holy book (The Book of Mormon?), which might be the reason that it isn't as popular as it should be. But trust you me, if you like OSC, you will love this series.