georgec said:

Speaker for the Dead is an absolute must.

I challenge you sir to a duel.

I've said in other threads, but my distaste for SFTD borders on mouth frothing hatred. Every character is overwhelmingly stupid. The "scientists" are the worst.

Let me summarize every exchange in the novel.

CHARACTER ONE: I know something pivotal, but I'll never tell you!
CHARACTER TWO: It doesn't matter, because I'll never ask!

There's a couple of interesting sci-fi concepts hidden behind the layers of stupidity, but if the characters weren't all knuckle dragging cretins there simply wouldn't be a plot.

ps.

But I did like the first couple Bean books.