…to understand who a person really was, what his or her life really meant, the speaker for the dead would have to explain their self-story – what they meant to do, what they actually did, what they regretted, what they rejoiced in. That’s the story that we never know, the story that we never can know – and yet, at the time of death, it’s the only story truly worth telling…
When I first read the introduction, I realised that there was a tonne of meaning in it. An eulogy is meant to celebrate a person’s life, and that means more than just delivering positive platitudes about the departed’s character. It would be great to know the actual person, warts and all. They shouldn’t mind much since they are already dead.
Powerful stuff.
I’m reading this right now actually. Mainly in anticipation of the Ender’s Game movie coming out soon. Awesome!
Also wondered if the idea for Quora was from the book. 🙂
I just hope that the film doesn’t disappoint. They could very easily lose all the depth in all the carnage.