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Loading... Rendezvous with Rama (original 1973; edition 1990)by Arthur C. Clarke, Paul Swendsen (Illustrator)
Work InformationRendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke (1973)
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mmmmm Rama. I think this was the first sci-fi book I've ever read (and I've probably still only read a dozen or so). Rama is a great mystery of a novel. Arthur C. Clarke sets up a futuristic world born out of terrible global tragedies, and uses this political set-up to explore an alien ship that approaches the Earth at a breakneck pace. I won't spoil anything here, but suffice it to say that nothing is as expected, and - while the book is marvellous as a kind of literary meditation on cultural differences, and timeless qualities of humanity - it most definitely leaves you wanting more. Surprisingly, Clarke hadn't really envisioned a sequel when he wrote it. Unsurprisingly, three would come to pass. Each of these would be a lesser novel than the one that came before, but they comprise a definite trilogy so I'd recommend either stopping after this book, or reading the whole series. After many years I decided to reread this novel as modern sci-fi more than often lacks the lustre of the classic works. I was not disappointed. A. C. Clarke has always been a writer of ideas and in this book, we are faced with one of the most intriguing events there could be - a gigantic artifact of extraterrestrial origin entering the Solar system. There is not much in this book in terms of character development or even plot. But, what this book is full of is the most sincere sense of awe. Clarke is great at that, awe and wonder permeate the entire book. It is rare to see those emotions translated into the text as believably as here. I have to say, for a novel that asks so many questions and gives few answers, it is surprisingly satisfying. no reviews | add a review
Belongs to SeriesRama Universe (1) Belongs to Publisher SeriesBastei Lübbe Taschenbuch (24371) Bastei Science Fiction-Special (24371) Grandes Éxitos de Bolsillo (B-31) J'ai lu (1047) Nébula (45) — 6 more Is contained inArthur C. Clarke: 2001/A Space Odyssey, the City and the Stars, the Deep Range, a Fall of Moondust, Rendevous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke Has the adaptationInspiredHas as a student's study guideAwardsDistinctionsNotable Lists
An enormous cylindrical object appears in Earth's solar system, hurtling toward the sun. A ship is sent to explore the mysterious craft-which the denizens of the solar system name Rama-and what they find is intriguing evidence of a civilization far more advanced than ours. They find an interior stretching over 50 kilometers; a forbidding cylindrical sea; mysterious and inaccessible buildings; and strange machine-animal hybrids, or "biots," that inhabit the ship. But what they don't find is an alien presence. So who-and where-are the Ramans? Often listed as one of Clarke's finest novels, Rendezvous With Rama has won both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards. A fast-paced and compelling story of an enigmatic encounter with alien technology, Rendezvous With Rama offers both answers and unsolved mysteries that continue to fascinate readers decades after its first publication. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.914Literature English English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I give it 3 "big object in space" books out of 5 "big object in space" books. ( )