Arthur C. Clarke's classic in which he ponders humanity's future and possible evolution When the silent spacecraft arrived and took the light from the world, no one knew what to expect. But, although the Overlords kept themselves hidden from man, they had come to unite a warring world and to offer an end to poverty and crime. When they finally showed themselves it was a shock, but one that humankind could now cope with, and an era of peace, prosperity and endless leisure began. But the children of this utopia dream strange ...
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Arthur C. Clarke's classic in which he ponders humanity's future and possible evolution When the silent spacecraft arrived and took the light from the world, no one knew what to expect. But, although the Overlords kept themselves hidden from man, they had come to unite a warring world and to offer an end to poverty and crime. When they finally showed themselves it was a shock, but one that humankind could now cope with, and an era of peace, prosperity and endless leisure began. But the children of this utopia dream strange dreams of distant suns and alien planets, and begin to evolve into something incomprehensible to their parents, and soon they will be ready to join the Overmind ... and, in a grand and thrilling metaphysical climax, leave the Earth behind.
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This is a great book with the tension mounting right from the start.
The premise of the book changes as you read it and the words flow freely and is a great buy for yourself or as a present.
ACCTuary
Apr 8, 2007
Full of Interesting Ideas
*** Contains Spoilers *** The best way to describe this effort is as three Utopian Essays loosely connected by a plot. In no particular order as it appears in the novel, they are as follows:
The one that strikes me as the most interesting concerns the social engineering of a model artists colony. Clarke goes into quite a bit of detail regarding the thinking that must go into the planning of an isolated, self sustaining community of very intelligent people.
For me, what makes Clarke's works more interesting is the degree of careful thought involved in every maneuver. People don't just shoot off into space unless Clarke has thought through how they would plam their journey. That brings us to the second theme - on which ACC gives several carefulliy thought out pages - that we may conquer the planets, but the stars are not for man.
A third mini-essay is written on how the Overlords rule the earth. ACC seems to view this as the model application of power and the critical importance of using power carefully.
One of my favorite passages is neither political or scientific. He waxes poetic on the variety of life that we may find on other planets. In this regard he is highly imaginative.
In order to weave several ambitious goals, the plot turns out a bit thin and farfetched. It relies on the paranormal, an oddity for a "hard" sci-fi writer like Clarke. However, this flaw is forgiveable, as he gives his readers a fantastic ride.
oursaladbowl
Apr 4, 2007
who is it?? is it really???
Clarke has a way with making words flow into the makings of a story. As soon as you read a little bit into the book, you are suddenly able to pick up and put it down with ease because the story line sticks in your head.
A well designed science fiction that is intended to surprise the readers, but not too much. Once again, as in all things, we learn not to assume to much or judge too early.
Overall it is a good book that holds the reader's interest from beginning to end. It is easy to read and may offer a starting point for young reader's as they begin to delve into the world of morality and the higher mental states available to those who want to find them.
