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Rating:  -
Though Clarke is known mostly for writing "hard" science fiction, this book is a surprising departure from his usual style. The very technical descriptions that abound in 2001 are absent here, allowing for an easier and more enjoyable reading. It begins with a premise used in countless books and movies since then: aliens finally approach Earth, and human beings don't know what to expect. But this isn't your typically "humans revolt against evil aliens" story. This tale is about mankind's evolution to the next level of consciousness as the Overlord aliens guide humanity along this path. This process takes place over the course of many decades, so there's very little character development; most characters only make appearances in short chunks. In spite of this, the story moves well through the first 100 pages, providing the answers to many mysteries that arise along the way. However, I found the second half of the book a little disappointing since it provides very few answers to any lingering questions. The lack of any explanation as to why humanity suddenly evolves seemed like too much of a cop-out to me. It's easy to say that we can never understand why this happened; it's much harder to provide a rational explanation. Still, compared to some of Clarke's other books, this book was much more enjoyable and reader friendly. Just be ready for an open-ended conclusion.
Rating:  -
Arthur C. Clarke's early science-fiction classic is a study in juxtapositions and contrasts: Simple, extremely-readable prose describes complex, mind-blowing concepts; broad, epic chapters on the fate of mankind alternate with cozy scenes set at intimate cocktail parties; the peace and simplicity of commune life in the tropics precedes descriptions of sweeping alien landscapes almost too big to fit in one's head; and, finally, the entire mind-boggling package takes the form of a compact, non-threatening 250 page or so book (depending on what edition you read).
This isn't one of those science-fiction novels that tries to speculate where mankind genuinely might be heading. Rather, to use a phrase probably a little casual for this great work but useful for our purposes here, the story more closely falls under the category of "wouldn't it be neat if..." That is, the novel, like so much great art, is ultimately more about itself than being something as mundane and banal as a simple editorial statement on its ostensible topic (in this case, mankind, our foibles, and our place in the universe). Look at the epic, sad, moving, awe-inspiring (it's all of those things) conclusion, and see if you agree. If it wasn't before, is the book really about anything other than itself at that moment?
And that's fine. Because a creative work mostly about the wonder of its own imaginings for its own imaginings' sake still in many ways reflects the world of its birth, magnifying and questioning and critiquing aspects of that world. And "Childhood's End, as fresh today as when it first appeared in the early 1950's, does all that and more. So much more.
In other words, if you thought the Arthur C. Clarke/Stanley Kubrick collaboration "2001: A Space Odyssey" was off-the-charts "out there", try a little Clarke in its pure, unblended form.
Rating: -
Old fashion Sci-Fi by one of the titans of the genre, Childhood's End keeps you guessing. It's not the typical story about aliens coming to earth and dominating man you might be expecting. It delves into the deeper issues of mankind's future and place in the universe with an interesting array of characters and situations.
Most books aren't much of a surprise; you pretty much know what's going to happen ahead of time, not true here. I loved the story, and couldn't put the book down. Clarke hasn't been considered a master of Sci-Fi for nothing, and here he's at his best.
An imaginative story that's very well written, it's a short book at 212 pages, and a quick read, making it a must for any Sci-Fi fan.
Rating:  -
Childhood's End is 1 of the earliest novels in the oeuvre of Arthur C. Clarke, & 1 of his best. 1 of the interesting things about reviewing very successful works long after their debut is how their very success can sometimes make the work seem less than it originally was. This is because the success of its themes, images, or narrative become so copied that they become clichéd. Such is the case with CE's opening. Giant spaceships arrive at earth, hover over the major cities of the world & issue ultimata. Is it the film Independence Day? Is it the tv miniseries V? No, but now you know where they got their openings....On a higher level there is the notion that what ACC propunds in this book is sharply contradicted by his own later stated beliefs- such as the tragedy he sees as being the hijacking of morality by organized religion. ACC seems to embrace psi phenomena, as well his repudiation of irrational religion. The original editions of this book featured a disclaimer from ACC stating he did not necessarily endorse the book's views- i.e.- that the irrational is a seductive force that will ultimately save (or doom?) mankind. Despite the seeming happy ending the destruction of homo sapiens, the fact that it was not allowed its natural evolution, simply to appease some super-powerful entity, is not what all would see as a positive. In a sense, the book can be seen as a Cold War fable (1st published in 1953)- a screed against Communism, which offered paradise on earth. The Overmind ends up destroying the planet, yet the reader never really gets a glimpse of what awaits. It could all be a hoax- the Overmind just a psychic predator feasting on the willingly gullible human spirit. Karellan states, `The stars are not for Man.' & by book's end we take it to mean that he meant mankind's disembodied descendants would reach the stars, not man. Yet, there is still the nagging feeling that humanity was flushed down a cosmic storm drain, & the more obvious meaning of Karellan's charge is the most apt.
Yet, ACC suggests that such skepticism is the result of our linear, physical minds- & that is the point of his tale. A final point is that the novel works as both a historical marker, & a still relevant treatise on human nature- whether you buy its premises & conclusions is another matter.
Rating:  -
Book was delayed and took about 3 weeks to receive. Condition of book was much worse than described - the binding was broken and pages were falling out - it was described as good condition - but was really in very worn condition. Disatisfied!
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