The Forever War is an extraordinary tale of interstellar travel, war against an oppressive alien race, and an exploration of military in the future. When several exploration and colonization ships disappear due to unknown reasons, the military decides to investigate. What it finds is an alien species, the Taurans, and the their first battle ignites an interstellar war between humans and aliens in the far reaches of space.
Story Overview
The story follows William Mandella, a physicist who is drafted to fight the Taurans. He undergoes an intense training regiment and is immediately sent to engage the Taurans, which nobody has ever seen in person. Mandella's team attempts to capture one for study, but they fail. A follow up encounter also proves futile as Mandella and his unit loses a base. Marygay, a female soldier whom Mandella has developed a relationship with is nearly court-martialed for freezing during a crucial fight.
Once their first tour ends, Mandella and Marygay both decline being re-enlisted for training positions. While they have been fighting in space, a unique effect called "Time Dilation" occurs and upon their return to Earth, they've discovered that 27 years has passed. Mandella and Margay spend several months readjusting to life back home, but chaotic events force them to re-enlist to serve the war effort. The two progress through countless battles and the war stretches into centuries in relationship to time on Earth.
With each return home, Mandella discovers a completely new culture, far removed than what he knew before the war began for him and it causes him to question why he continues fighting. Since everyone he knew back home died a long time ago, he can only relate to his longtime friend Margay, who becomes his closest companion and lover. But when Mandella and Margay are forced to go on separate tours, Mandella leaves knowing that time dilation may distance them further due to accelerated aging.
Theme
Haldeman explores the necessity of soldiers and the futility of war. This is a powerful message which he draws directly from his experiences as a soldier in the Vietnam War, something he personally states in the beginning of the book within the "Author's Note".
Strengths & Weaknesses
Haldeman tells the story in first person narrative which works beautifully for such a personal struggle. His description of military tactics, weapons, and procedures comes across convincingly well for a science fiction story. The use of time dilation is most intriguing as Haldeman creates new societies on Earth every time the hero returns home.
The Hero's sense of feeling of distant from his fellow humans back home due to cultural shifts doesn't quite have much bearing on his main goal of defeating the Taurans. If only the author condensed these sections of Mandella's return to Earth, it wouldn't feel like such a distraction to the story. But that's only a minor criticism.
Final Thoughts
The Forever War is a must read for any sci-fi enthusiast. It contains a well told story, emotionally gripping characters, and a thought provoking thematic premise.
St. Martin's Press, 1974
288 pages
ISBN-10: 0060510862
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