The Ships of Earth

The Ships of Earth (1994) is a science fiction novel by American writer Orson Scott Card. It the third book of the Homecoming Saga, a fictionalization of the first few hundred years recorded in the Book of Mormon.

The Ships of Earth
AuthorOrson Scott Card
Cover artistKeith Parkinson
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesHomecoming Saga
GenreScience fiction
PublisherTor Books
Publication date
1994
Media typePrint (Hardcover & Paperback)
Pages382
ISBN0-312-85659-8
OCLC29359905
813/.54 20
LC ClassPS3553.A655 S54 1994
Preceded byThe Call of Earth 
Followed byEarthfall 

Plot summary

This book focuses on the struggles between the pioneers to establish a new social order now that they have left Basilica. The new society is opposite to that of the previous societies - male dominated instead of female dominated, monogamous and lifelong marriages instead of the yearly contracts of Basilica.

The struggles between the characters ultimately come down to the struggles between Nafai and Elemak, two sons of Volemak. Nafai leads the faction who have faith in the Oversoul, while Elemak leads the faction who want desperately to return to the civilization of doomed Basilica. Both are ostensibly under the leadership of Volemak (and not Rasa, as they had been in the city).

The settlers, after years of traveling, finally arrive in a land lost in ancient times which holds the secret of the Oversoul. Additionally, many children are born, all in their preparation for the ultimate journey to Earth.

The book offers an interesting justification of the social structures of the Hebrew tribes in Genesis, all while the originally powerful female characters gradually succumb to the new hierarchy of "men" and "wives." Only one character - Shedemei, the brilliant geneticist, thinks about this problem.

The focus in on the group dynamics of the new tribe as they journey where the Oversoul guides them.

Prophetic dreams abound, mostly involving giant rats and bats ("diggers" and "angels"). The Oversoul discovers itself.

gollark: "Economy" doesn't just refer to market systems, but to, well, any system which produces things.
gollark: Obviously not the ONLY thing. But up there.
gollark: Money is fairly important to life.
gollark: Also, hoarding money (in high-interest-ish forms) is COOL and GOOD so you can have money LATER™.
gollark: ++delete ☭

See also
  • List of works by Orson Scott Card


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