Rendezvous with Rama: Amazon.co.uk: Arthur Charles Clarke: Books

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Rama II (Gollancz S.F.)

by Arthur C. Clarke

2.5 out of 5 stars (17) �5.49

The Songs of Distant Earth

by Arthur C. Clarke

4.4 out of 5 stars (13) �5.49

Rama Revealed

by Arthur C. Clarke

4.0 out of 5 stars (16)

The City And The Stars (S.F. Masterworks)

by Arthur C. Clarke

4.3 out of 5 stars (20) �5.49

Tau Zero (S.F. Masterworks)

by Poul Anderson

4.4 out of 5 stars (14) �5.49

› Explore similar items

Product Description

NEW YORKER
'Arthur C. Clarke is one of the truly prophetic figures of the space age ... The colossus of science fiction' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Rama is a vast alien spacecraft that enters the Solar System, A perfect cylinder some fifty kilometres long, spinning rapidly, racing through space, Rama is a technological marvel, a mysterious and deeply enigmatic alien artifact. It is Mankind's first visitor from the stars and must be investigated . . . --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Product Description

Inside This Book (Learn More)

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Excerpt | Back Cover

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

(What's this?)

Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)

science fiction

arthur c clarke

intelligent sf

rama series

rama

clarke

adventure scifi

arthur c

alien invasion

xenoarchaeology

woohoo

Customer Reviews

30 Reviews

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (30 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, 5 Oct 2003

By	Robert Holm (at home behind my keyboard) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rendezvous with Rama (Paperback)

This is one of the absolute best science fiction novels ever written, and probably the best of Clarke's various works. It is certainly my favourite. It is also the only science fiction novel ever, so far, to take home all the major awards (it won the Campbell, the Hugo, the Jupiter, and the Nebula). It tells the story of a mysterious cylindrical object that has entered our solar system, where it is detected by Spaceguard (a detection system to give advance warning of asteroids and other near-earth objects on a potential collision course with our planet - an idea that Clarke developed further in The Hammer of God). It is soon determined that the object, christened Rama, is actually an artificial space vessel of some kind, and a United Planets spaceship (the Endeavour, captained by Commander Norton) is sent to investigate. The rest of the (fairly short) novel describes the wonders that the members of the crew of the spaceship encounter after they have managed to get inside Rama. There are also some trademark Clarke glimpses of future human society and technology (based strictly on real science, of course).
The book is written in the classical Clarke style, with very short chapters and very little in the way of "character development" (this latter is something that is always whined and complained about by people who don't understand what great writing really is). And in this case it all works tremendously well. It is always, in all of Clarke's writings, the ideas that are the main thing. In Rendezvous, nothing beats the sense of wonder and amazement you experience when the mysteries of Rama are gradually revealed, although, at the end of the book, Rama remains as much of an enigma as it was at the start. It all rings true, and it all feels realistic, although there is a slightly dated feel (since this book was written in the early 1970s), so that I sometimes got a feeling that I was reading about something that had happened in the past (especially when you take into account the sequels, of which Rama II is just as good as Rendezvous). There is also an uplifting optimism in the story, despite the fact that humanity is, as always in Clarke's stories, put squarely in its place at the conclusion of the book.
Rendezvous with Rama is highly recommended indeed, and required reading for just about everyone. You don't have to be a fan of Clarke or a fan of science fiction in general to enjoy this book. Everyone should read it.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SF wonders on a grand scale, 26 April 2006

By	Ropie (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rendezvous With Rama (S.F. Masterworks S.) (Paperback)

I first Rendezvous with Rama about 15 years ago and found it an absolutely riveting read. I don't think any SF book I have read since has come near it in terms of instilling an awe-inspiring feeling of wonder and the thrill of exploring the unknown. This is what SF is really about for me and in this book Arthr C Clarke writes it better than anyone else I can think of. Don't expect high literature but revel in the nicely flowing, descriptive prose nonetheless. The one problem with the Masterwoks edition is the rather poxy cover that doesn't do a terribly good job of conveying the story within the pages!

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly brilliant., 20 Aug 2004

By	Mr. S. Mckay "steven6888" (Glasgow) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rendezvous with Rama (Paperback)

This book is a masterpiece. It draws you in and refuses to let go until you finish it. Clarke hs such an incredible imagination and he really lets it run free in this book. Possibly the best thing about the story is that it just MIGHT happen one day.
Of course, there is a whole series based around this beginning, although none of the later stories manage to equal this first, fantastic book.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 30 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated but well written
Personally I'm not a devotee to Clarke as I find his writing rather dated for my taste. That said however you really have to hand it to the guy who was one of the forefathers of... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Gareth Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars One of his best
This has got to be one of his best books. I enjoyed this when I first read it 30 years ago and think it's been even more enjoyable the second time round. Read more

Published 2 months ago by happy chappie

5.0 out of 5 stars Sci-fi at its best!
This book could be the definition of science fiction. I mean,when one hears about science fiction,one thinks about spaceships, astronauts with hi-tech gear,intelligent... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Yannis Theocharis

5.0 out of 5 stars RAMArkable
This book constantly stretches the imagination, it is not easy to maintain a minds-eye vision of what Rama is like, given its vast scale. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Siborg

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best SF book I've ever read!
I really enjoyed this book a lot! Once I read all Asimov's Foundation and Robot sagas I was looking for other great Sci-Fi author and stories. Read more

Published 4 months ago by B. Cecchin

4.0 out of 5 stars Good premise, unsatisfying ending
The idea behind the story is good, but ultimately fails to deliver. There is lots of suspense and it holds interest throughout. Read more

Published 9 months ago by John M

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a great book but a cracking read
Arthur C Clarke couldn't write for toffee. His characters - inevitably dedicated professionals straight out of a Boy's Own adventure - have all the dimensions of a Euclidean... Read more

Published 10 months ago by Melmoth

3.0 out of 5 stars ok.
i just finishd rading this book to gt to the nd. the story has a sns of wondr and supense about it which carries towards the end. Read more

Published 15 months ago by sinjinn

5.0 out of 5 stars fab
arthur c. clarke is a fantastic auther. his ideas and storeys are amazing. this is no exception. A giant object is spotted and a team are sent in to investigate. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Curlet Lousararian

5.0 out of 5 stars It still evokes that Sensawonder
A giant cylinder is spotted entering the Solar System and a team of astronauts is sent out to investigate. Read more

Published 17 months ago by Rod Williams

› See all 30 customer reviews...

Listmania!

My Favourite Science Fiction: A list by M. C. Moody "mcmUK"
Best science fiction books ever.: A list by Omar Khan
Science Fiction Masterworks Series (1-25): A list by J. G. G. Tams

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

Feedback

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.

The Body Shop

Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

›Shop The Body Shop

More From Arthur C. Clarke

Firstborn: A Time Odyssey Book Three

With this epic tale of altered histories and different earths, a... Read more
£6.99 £4.33

A Close Shave

Philips Nivea Coolskin HS8060 Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System

For all types of hair removal, stay smooth with Amazon.co.uk.

›Discover Shaving & Hair Removal

Treat Someone

With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

	89% buy the item featured on this page: Rendezvous with Rama 4.7 out of 5 stars (30)
	3% buy Rama II (Gollancz S.F.) 2.5 out of 5 stars (17) �5.49
	3% buy Rama Revealed 4.0 out of 5 stars (16)
	3% buy Foundation (The Foundation series) 4.7 out of 5 stars (25) �3.99


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon

Rendezvous with Rama (Mass Market Paperback)

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product details

Product Description

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Customer Reviews

Customer Discussions

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Listmania!

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

The Body Shop

More From Arthur C. Clarke

A Close Shave

Treat Someone

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History