Review
"'There has been nothing like it for years' C. S. Lewis; 'The Colossus Of Science Fiction' New York Times"
Book Description
Arthur C. Clarke's classic in which he ponders humanity's future and possible evolution.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A brilliant book in which Clarke explores the theme of man's position within the universe. Unlike a lot of Clarke's work which draws heavily on scientific principles this is not a factually based novel.
A highly fantastic plot sees a race of aliens take control of earth and outlaw all immoral acts, instantly producing world peace, through use of their superior technology. Unlike many SF novels, however, they are here not to conquor the globe but to prepare humanity for the future. Some, of course are not willing to sit back and accept this life of blissful slavery from the moralistic aliens. They are determined to discover the truth behind the alien's plans, why noone has ever seen one an alien and precisely what this future holds. The nature of what is to come in the future may not be very believable but this is one of Clarke's space-fantasy novels not factual science-fiction. The end of the book will make you turn back to the front cover to double check it has Arthur C. Clarke's name on it.
The first few editions of the novel had the words "The views expressed in this book are not those of the author" printed on page 1. In the introduction to the later editions, Clarke explains why he insisted on those lines being included as the novel revolves around the idea that man's place is here on earth not in the stars.
This is a superb, thought provoking novel. While the plot may not be all that credible the themes discussed in this book: man's positition in the universe; whether enforced heaven is acceptable and whether man's place is on earth or in the stars are what makes it one of the best science-fiction novels ever written. It may have been written over thirty years ago but it is still relevant in today's world.
Not necessarily for all Arthur C. Clarke fans as if you are expecting a novel based primarily on hard science like "2061: Odessy 3" or "A Fall of Moondust" you will be disapointed. This is, however one of the greatest science-fiction novels ever written and and demonstrates superbly the depth of Clarke's imagination.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For anyone who claims that science fiction is a genre that cannot produce classic literature, they should read Childhood's End. It provides, compact, readible philsophy of the first kind; something you rarely find. Childhood's end confront the value of mere survival for humaniy. A wonderful book.
34 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It will now be hard to film Childhood's End because the opening, with the great ships suspended over the cities of the earth, was cribbed, intentionally or by coincidence, for Independence Day. That's a pity because it would make a tremendous film being a shattering and most skilfully written story. Here the visitors have not come to despoil our planet, indeed so well put together is the plot that we may well forget to ask ourselves why they have bothered to come along and preside over a golden age of universal peace, prosperity and others of Clarke's (and my) liberal preoccupations such as no cruelty to animals. The book is not 200 pages long but it combines Clarke's special narrative gifts as a short-story writer with a vision of the whole nature and purpose of the universe that I find staggering and intolerably poignant to this day, 30 years after I first read it.
Brian Aldiss has perceptively said that if Stapledon has a successor it is Clarke, and Clarke himself has told us how deeply Stapledon has influenced him. However this book resembles Stapledon in nothing except the scale of the concept. Childhood's End is written by a recognisable human being with power over our emotions -- power indeed! When the overlord first shows himself, I wondered whether the story could ever recover from such a dramatic coup so early on. I need not have worried. The story has not even begun: the truth, when we finally get it not far from the end, wrenches my innards to this day, and between times the crux of the narrative (the seance) is as brilliant a false clue as was ever laid by Agatha Christie. Those of us who have been cursed or maybe blessed with a compulsion to worry about our world and our fate, and who cannot find any clue to it in bibles and such like, are bound to react emotionally to an effort like this. It is not 'tragic' in Aristotle's sense, but for a 'purging of pity and terror' I'm not sure I know anything like it.
Brian Aldiss has perceptively said that if Stapledon has a successor it is Clarke, and Clarke himself has told us how deeply Stapledon has influenced him. However this book resembles Stapledon in nothing except the scale of the concept. Childhood's End is written by a recognisable human being with power over our emotions -- power indeed! When the overlord first shows himself, I wondered whether the story could ever recover from such a dramatic coup so early on. I need not have worried. The story has not even begun: the truth, when we finally get it not far from the end, wrenches my innards to this day, and between times the crux of the narrative (the seance) is as brilliant a false clue as was ever laid by Agatha Christie. Those of us who have been cursed or maybe blessed with a compulsion to worry about our world and our fate, and who cannot find any clue to it in bibles and such like, are bound to react emotionally to an effort like this. It is not 'tragic' in Aristotle's sense, but for a 'purging of pity and terror' I'm not sure I know anything like it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Masterpiece
Revealed in this book are the capabilities of Clarke's unique and astounding mind.
No other author, barring Carl Sagan maybe, can delve into science-fiction and... Read more
No other author, barring Carl Sagan maybe, can delve into science-fiction and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Biertje
Clarke at his best
Not wanting to sound too much like a geek but this book was such an entertaining read. Most of the plot we have seen before in numerous sic fi movies but the great thing about the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by anthill1956
An early masterwork from Clarke
Humanity is about to launch its first manned mission to another world. Finally, the human race is about to escape its cradle and take its first step towards the stars. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A. Whitehead
The ultimate SF story
Brilliant story - if you don't know the ending then well worth reading - no wonder it is a classic. Beats me how anyone could have the imagination to think up a plot like this
Published 4 months ago by Archersphilia
Magnificent Book
I'm a big fan of Arthur C Clarke and this is his best book in my opinion.
Brilliantly written, thought provoking and moving. Read more
Brilliantly written, thought provoking and moving. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Book Reviewer 76
Classic Clarke that leaves you with modern questions
Modern readers of this remarkable story will recognise many of its features. It has been much copied since. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Timbobulous
The end justifies the means
Childhood's End is not a long novel but it's ambitious.
Alien spaceships park themselves over major cities and their leader imposes a benign dictatorship enforcing peace... Read more
Alien spaceships park themselves over major cities and their leader imposes a benign dictatorship enforcing peace... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Richard Beddard
Thought provoking, provoking thoughts you've not had before!
I read this book 25 years ago and it has stayed with me ever since. I have just re-read it on Kindle. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Christopher J. Whitehead
Science Fiction at its best
One of my all time favourites. This is a true first contact type novel, set in present day. If you want a well written and totally engaging read then look no further. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ben Grays
Mixed, at best
Clarke certainly doesn't lack when it comes to grand themes, and this shows a good deal of that. The basic plot of what is essentially an alien invasion is given the unique twist... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Aralla
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Utopia was here at last: its novelty had not yet been assailed by the supreme enemy of all Utopias - boredom.
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mans beliefs were his own affair, so long as they did not interfere with the liberty of others.
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