One of a few all-time great science fiction books

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	• Childhood's End Arthur C. Clarke Del Rey, 1987 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 286 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

the anti-Independence Day

I like to think of this book as the anti-Independence Day. Childhood's End is a pretty typical piece of Clarke fiction -- that doesn't make it bad just that you have a pretty good idea going into it of what you're going to get. That said, I would venture to say that it's probably best served up to some mid-to-late-teens burgeoning sci-fi fans that are in need of a twist to the Asimov, Bova, and Pohl that they've likely been reading.

What is humanity's destiny in the cosmos?

This book represents Mr. Clarke's early (1950s) attempt to explore humanity's role in the cosmos. Are there other intelligent civilizations in the Universe? What are they like? How does Man fit into the grand scheme? The story starts as a large number of ultra-powerful space ships approach Earth. It is clear that mankind has no weapon that can resist them, but instead of conquering Earth and enslaving or destroying the inhabitants, the Overlords usher in a Golden Age for mankind. They give fabulous technologies and medicines to humankind that greatly increase their lifespan and reduce the amount of menial work that must be done. Questions remain though, who are the Overlords, what do they want and what is their ultimate goal, and are they the only other intelligent species in the Universe?

Even though written in the 50s, this novel is as compelling and relevant today as when it was first released. There are several interesting plot twists along the way, and in typical Clarke fashion the story ends with more questions than answers. The book is divided into three sections each separated in time by decades. In the first, the Overlords arrive and dominate the Earth. In the second section, set several generations later, the Overlords have transformed Earth into a paradise. In the final section, the state of paradise is about to end, but why? The story in each major section follows a protagonist who wants to devine the true intentions of the Overloads and their leader Karellan. The only negative comment that I have about this story is that `paranormal forces' play a key element in the plot line. A weak plot device, particularly for someone as scientifically oriented as Clarke. This may have been compelling fifty years ago, but Clarke himself has publicly admitted that he would change this part of the story now if he could.

Not Clarke's best, but a quick, easy read that you won't be able to put down. Definitely recommended.

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One of sci-fi's best "possible future" books

There are literally hundreds of sci-fi books that pose a possible future for humanity and, while I haven't read all of them (nor do I plan to do so), this is bound to be one of the best. Clarke, who admittedly isn't one of my favorite sci-fi authors, is in his prime here. This is a very strong story that keeps your attention from cover to cover. The characters are good, but not great--the focus here is on the imaginative future that Clarke paints. Not only is the story entertaining, it also has some insightful commentary on the human drive to create and progress. I recommend this book highly whether you are a Clarke fan or not.

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Pretty wild

It's hard to believe this book was written 50 years ago. You never see the ending coming, and it almost reminds one of Stephen King. It's a bit choppy as it segways into the end, but nicely drawn out and worth it. All the explanations are there, as they should be. Very cool. Too many books leave you hanging, but this was a very satifying read.

One of a few all-time great science fiction books

I read this when I was impressionably young, and then again and again since. It is one of half-a-dozen science fiction stories I will always recommend if someone asks for my all-time favorites.

The aliens have landed, and they are friendly. In fact, they are enormously helpful. But they won't show themselves until a couple of human generations have passed and people are ready to see them. Why is their appearance so startling? I won't spoil it for you.

Oddly enough, you could call this a book without any villains. There's conflict of various sorts, but no real "bad guys." The conflict is all the more intriguing for that. Who should you root for? What do you want to be the outcome? What IS the aliens' reason for coming to earth? Should humans go along with them or resist them? If so, in what way?

Oddly enough, the answer lies with an artists' colony.

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