Science Fiction Books > Arthur C. Clarke Science Fiction Books

Advantages: Engaging story, light easy read
Disadvantages: Slightly dated, but the ethical point is still valid

In the silence of space no-one can hear you scream. Was that Franklin’s problem? Had he screamed? Could it be that he knew what it was like not to be heard? If that was the case why on earth…and he is back on earth…would he choose a second career that took him to what might be thought of as “inner” space. Not the vast silent deeps of the space, but those of the oceans, just as vast, just as silent, just as deadly? Arthur C Clarke is synonymous with ...
...about star wars, or colonising the planets beyond our ken and meeting strange new beings. There are enough strange new beings on this planet to keep us busy for a while yet. This was something that Clarke recognised and treasured and in this 1968 story tried to give prominence to. The story is set in 21st century, which probably seemed a long way away at the time, man has suffered and starved for reasons not explained. This is a Clarke technique. ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting plot, full of suspense
Disadvantages: A rather vague ending and a bit slow in places

Arthur C. Clarke is argueably the greatest sci-fi writer of all time and Rendevous with Rama does not dissapoint. There is not a huge amount of character development however in this case it was not necesserily a bad thing and it did not bother me too much. It is very open ended and leaves a lot to the imagination which was a bit annoying but it's definitly worth reading because of the plotline and the whole journey into the extra terrestrial. It's ...
...and is easy to read which is excellent. I found the story moving a little slowly, especially the discussions and political divide but can definitly see how this would be of interest to many people, it just wasn't my thing. Overall an excellent book with a few faults but still one of his best works in my opinion ... Read review

Advantages: Well written, good concepts and detail
Disadvantages: Slight flaws in the structure and lack of theme development

...people believe that the film 2001: A Space Odyssey is an adaptation of Arthur C Clarke’s book but in fact almost uniquely for such a highly regarded novel the truth is the other way around. Stanley Kubrick the director of the film had read a short story by Clarke ‘The Sentinel’ and from the idea within that he decides to make an epic Sci-fi movie that was to explore some of the most basic and yet most complex themes, the origins ...
...certainly the novel like the film can be highly recommended. ***************************************************************** 2001: A Space Odyssey is published by Orbit (ISBN: 1857236645) in paperback (266 pages) and is available from Amazon.co.uk for £4.79 (p & p). Thank you for reading and rating this opinion. © Mauri 2003 ... Read review

Advantages: Good interesting read
Disadvantages: A rather bleak unneeded end to the seires

Many people have regarded Arthur C Clarke's last attempt to explain the ancient black monoliths as a failure. I'm a big fan of Clarke's, but have to say I was disappointed with this book, hoping it to be more than it was. 3001 is more of a prediction of future events than anything else. In 3001, Frank Poole, thrown into the wastes of space by the mad computer HAL, is found floating around in space. Medical technology is so advanced in fact and Frank's ...
...doctors of 3001 are able to revive him from the dead. Now Clarke manages to get some more of his predictions across as Frank Poole traverses the year 3001. Such ideas as the space elevator are reintroduced, and several new concepts such as the braincap, a device which is in fact a computerized brain. Everyone has one which enables them to communicate with each other by thought. There is no real mention of day to day people relationships. True there ... Read review

Advantages: Highly effective large-scale plot
Disadvantages: Prose style is sometimes pedestrian

Anyone who seriously wants to read science fiction should probably take the time to read some of the classics, as an idea of sf's history can be invaluable in understanding where modern author's are coming from. "Childhood's End" would undoubtedly be one of those classics. The three novels Clarke had written before (including one children's book) were dull, plodding books about space exploration. With "Childhood's End" he turned to a more original ...
...The story concerns the alien Overlords, who despite their fearful appearance, have contacted humanity to guide us towards our destiny (a destiny that the Overlords themselves are barred from). The book effectively builds up to its moving climax, where the next stage of humanity is observed by the last living human being - one of the most moving passages Clarke has written. Clarke is not always the finest writer in sf, but he has an imagination to ... Read review