- The Blurb...
The discovery of a black monolith on the moon leads to a manned expedition deep into the solar system, in the hope of establishing contact with an alien intelligence. Yet long before the crew can reach their destination, the voyage descends into disaster . . .
Brilliant, compulsive and prophetic, Arthur C. Clarke's timeless novel tackles the enduring theme of mankind's place in the universe.
- Our Review...
The story begins when man is just an apelike creature, no different to all the other creatures. A black obelisk, one morning, arrives and performs some mind altering experiments on the apes. After the obelisk leaves the apes have new thoughts and feelings and this is how they developed from apes to humans over the following millions of years. All due to seeds that the obelisk planted in their minds.
Fast forward thousands of years and a black obelisk is discovered on the moon. As a result a mission is sent to a moon of Saturn looking for alien life. However on the journey disaster strikes the ship. And this is just the prelude to an even more disastrous encounter.
NB It's very difficult to talk about the themes of the book without giving away spoilers.
One of the issues is that this is a very visual book. Words are very good at describing intangible things such as thoughts or feelings, visual extravaganzas not so much. Imagine watching a fire work display or having someone describe a firework display using only words, which would you choose. Clarke's magnum opus is full of such displays.
In addition I have always found that the best books have a way of immersing you in the story. I didn't feel that with this book. I felt I was being talked to, rather than being immersed in... Of course this may just be a me thing.
I still cant make up my mind whether the ending is profound or pretentious. However I did enjoy the section where, while on the mission to Saturn, our astronaut encounters sentient computers/algorithms. Wow.
But overall it's a bit of a mixed bag for me, I don't know if it works as a novel. It's more of framework for Clarke to theorize on science fiction (future and past.) In fairness to the great man, considering the short story was developed in 1948 and the novel in 1964, he does a bang up job. Among other things he predicts the Ipad and A.I. In fact, as a small homage, the "about the author" section in this review is written by A.I. It even put in the emoji's! I don't know if Clarke would be happy or horrified with this. We are on the road to the future and we cant get off.
- Selected Quotes...
“The more wonderful the means of communication, the more trivial, tawdry, or depressing its contents seemed to be.”
“. . . Moon-Watcher felt the first faint twinges of a new and potent emotion. It was a vague and diffuse sense of envy--of dissatisfaction with his life. He had no idea of its cause, still less of its cure; but discontent had come into his soul, and he had taken one small step toward humanity.”
“But he knew well enough that any man in the right circumstances could be dehumanised by panic.”
“But was even this the end? A few mystically inclined biologists went still further. They speculated, taking their cues from the beliefs of many religions, that mind would eventually free itself from matter. The robot body, like the flesh-and-blood one, would be no more than a stepping-stone to something which, long ago, men had called “spirit.” And if there was anything beyond that, its name could only be God.”
- If You Liked This Then You May Like...
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Phillip K Dick. Review...here
The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin
- About The Author...
Let’s delve a bit deeper into the fascinating life of Arthur C. Clarke:
Science Fiction and Beyond:
- Clarke’s imaginative science fiction works captivated readers worldwide. His novel “Childhood’s End” explored themes of human evolution and extraterrestrial influence.
- His short story “The Sentinel” inspired Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film “2001: A Space Odyssey”. The movie’s enigmatic monoliths and cosmic journey left an indelible mark on popular culture.
- Beyond fiction, Clarke was a prolific science writer, explaining complex concepts in accessible ways. His nonfiction works covered topics like space exploration, telecommunications, and futurology.
Space Odyssey and Legacy:
- The collaboration with Kubrick on “2001: A Space Odyssey” elevated both their careers. The film’s visual effects, philosophical musings, and haunting soundtrack remain influential.
- Clarke’s vision extended beyond the screen. He envisioned geostationary satellites for global communication—a concept that became reality with modern telecommunications satellites.
Champion of Space Exploration:
- Clarke’s passion for space exploration was unwavering. He advocated for manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
- As chairman of the British Interplanetary Society, he fostered scientific discussions and inspired future generations of space enthusiasts.
Life in Sri Lanka:
- Clarke’s move to Sri Lanka allowed him to explore not only the cosmos but also the depths of the Indian Ocean. His underwater discoveries included ancient shipwrecks and the submerged Koneswaram Temple.
- His TV series “Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World” delved into unexplained phenomena, captivating audiences with tales of the supernatural.
Honors and Titles:
- Knighted in 1998, Clarke received numerous accolades for his contributions to literature and science.
- Sri Lanka recognized his impact by awarding him the prestigious title of Sri Lankabhimanya.
In summary, Arthur C. Clarke’s legacy transcends fiction, reaching the stars and the depths of our imagination. 🚀📚
No comments:
Post a Comment