Science fiction
The Forever War
A physics student is drafted into a centuries-long interstellar war against an alien enemy. Because of relativity, each trip home puts him decades further from the world he knew, and there is nowhere left for him to belong.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1974
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 203
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in The Forever War
Read this if you want a short, bitter science-fiction novel about the alienation of coming back from war.
Skip this if you want upbeat action, since the tone is angry and weary throughout.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Forever War
- What is The Forever War about?
- A physics student is drafted into a centuries-long interstellar war against an alien enemy. Because of relativity, each trip home puts him decades further from the world he knew, and there is nowhere left for him to belong.
- Who should read The Forever War?
- Read it if you want a short, bitter science-fiction novel about the alienation of coming back from war. Skip it if you want upbeat action, since the tone is angry and weary throughout.
- How long and how fast is The Forever War?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 203 pages, first published in 1974.
- Does The Forever War have content warnings?
- Content we flag: War, Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow The Forever War for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Forever War; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Forever War?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Starship Troopers, Old Man's War, Slaughterhouse-Five.
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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 The Forever War
-
Starship Troopers The book it was written against, which sees war as noble, so the two make a strong contrast.
-
Old Man's War
A later and funnier take on the same soldier-through-time idea, with an easier tone.
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Slaughterhouse-Five
A quirkier, more darkly comic account of a soldier cut off from time and from peace.
Science fiction
