Science fiction · Classics · Adventure
Speaker for the Dead
Three thousand years after a famous war, a man travels to a quiet colony world to speak the truth about a dead person's life. There he meets the only other intelligent species humanity has found since.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1986
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 323
- Format
- Book 2 of 6 in Ender's Saga
Read this if you like philosophical science fiction about understanding other beings and telling the truth about the dead.
Skip this if you want another fast, military story, as this is slower, more reflective and very different in tone.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Speaker for the Dead
- What is Speaker for the Dead about?
- Three thousand years after a famous war, a man travels to a quiet colony world to speak the truth about a dead person's life. There he meets the only other intelligent species humanity has found since.
- Who should read Speaker for the Dead?
- Read it if you like philosophical science fiction about understanding other beings and telling the truth about the dead. Skip it if you want another fast, military story, as this is slower, more reflective and very different in tone.
- How long and how fast is Speaker for the Dead?
- It is a slow-paced, medium read of about 323 pages, first published in 1986.
- Does Speaker for the Dead have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Grief, Domestic violence.
- Can I borrow Speaker for the Dead for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Speaker for the Dead; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Speaker for the Dead?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Left Hand of Darkness, Childhood's End, Contact.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Speaker for the Dead
-
The Left Hand of Darkness
A thoughtful novel about a visitor learning to see another culture without judgement.
-
Childhood's End
A classic about contact with beings far beyond us and what it means for humanity's future.
-
Contact
A hopeful, scientific take on first contact, balanced by questions of faith and trust.
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