Rendezvous with Rama
by Arthur C. Clarke
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Read in May, 2004
recommends it for:
Sci-Fi fans, those interested in space tech/travel
Rather than do a synoptic review of "Rama", I'll just go ahead and rave about my absolute favorite part of this book: There are no spoilers to reveal! I suppose that's a spoiler in and of itself, but without going too far over the line, I love how much remains a mystery. This is a sci-fi masterpiece because it retains so much of the science while remaining purely fiction. The professional team that investigate Rama have no clues, they have to make theories and guesses as they go along,...more
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Read in March, 2008
This book was my introduction to Arthur C. Clarke, and I happened to read it just before he died. I wasn't sure what to expect. My friend lent me his copy, which was printed in the early 90's and looked pretty pulpy. And the title? But I really enjoyed it. Written in the 70's, but the science wasn't painfully outdated, except he hadn't foreseen just how small and complicated our computers would become even in a few years. Not badly written for a scientist, and he passes my sexism test. (I frowne...more
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Read in November, 2007
This is one of those classics of science fiction that you would think I would have read by now. Well, I am hoping to get to it now. I found my copy really cheap in the second hand store. We'll see how it goes.
* * * *
It was not as riveting as I thought it would be. While the science is good, i.e. Clarke does pay attention to the science in the story, overall, the story itself moves very slowly. In a way, reading this book was like playing the game Myst, and I am not saying that as praise...more
* * * *
It was not as riveting as I thought it would be. While the science is good, i.e. Clarke does pay attention to the science in the story, overall, the story itself moves very slowly. In a way, reading this book was like playing the game Myst, and I am not saying that as praise...more
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
Not unless they were obsessed with sci-fi
I am a big fan of Sci-Fi films and comics and TV shows. And yet I am perpetually disappointed by Sci-Fi literature. Every book seems to be written with zero regard to style or the prose itself, they revolve entirely around their "ideas" (such as they are) and flat characters. However, I am always willing to prove my experiences wrong and thought I'd try with the much hyped Rendezvous with Rama by one of the best regarded sci-fi authors ever, Clarke. Conclusion? Yet another badly writte...more
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Read in October, 2007
The wonderful thing about Arthur C. Clarke is that, in addition to being a solid writer, he grounds his science-fiction in the SCIENCE. His books are always about what's possible -- even if it's quite unusual.
In "Rendezvous with Rama", which is set in the year 2130, Earth astronomers discover a strange object entering our solar system. It turns out to be artificial -- an alien space craft that has been crossing space since before human beings appeared on Earth. This book is the ...more
In "Rendezvous with Rama", which is set in the year 2130, Earth astronomers discover a strange object entering our solar system. It turns out to be artificial -- an alien space craft that has been crossing space since before human beings appeared on Earth. This book is the ...more
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Read in June, 2008
Knowing only a little about the plot (humans have a brief chance to explore a huge alien spacecraft as it zooms through our solar system), I was disappointed a bit by RwR. The spacecraft is fundamentally pretty understandable. The human explorers within minutes of getting inside know the basics. It's the details that are mysterious. And Clarke does a good job of keeping them (the details) intriguing, alien, and, ultimately, inexplicable. But I was hoping for an encounter with something truly,...more
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Read in January, 1988
Brilliant. Nothing short of brilliant. The first book in what would become a 4 book series may not have the same philosophical depth as the follow-up trilogy, but is, nonetheless, the seminal work of science fiction when it comes to sheer "what-if".
Clarke uses the vehicle (metaphorically and literally) of an abandoned (?) alien ship passing by Earth as a jumping off point for his thoughts on what civilization and technology may one day be capable of. Based in real science...more
Clarke uses the vehicle (metaphorically and literally) of an abandoned (?) alien ship passing by Earth as a jumping off point for his thoughts on what civilization and technology may one day be capable of. Based in real science...more
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Read in January, 1986
I first read this book in high school years ago. What sticks with me most about this book is that by revealing very little about the culture who built the giant artifact/ship know as Rama, Arthur C. Clarke was able to tell a story filled with awe. Mr. Clarke never reveals the intentions, functions, or meaning of any of the artifacts which his characters encounter on the vast spaceship. In doing so he conveys the idea that the purpose of Rama is beyond human understanding and reason. The seemi...more
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Read in December, 2007
This was a very easy read for me, I consumed it in 3 slow days at work during the holidays. There is a lot of hard science in it but it doesn't bury you in all the details, which is good. His science is only a few hundred years in the future and all is totally plausible, there was no magic future science like artificial gravity. One example was that humans on different worlds could not easily visit other planets whose mass differed too much, the gravity change would be too much to take. The ...more
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Read in January, 1999
A very imaginative Sci-Fi book by one of the grand masters, Arthur C. Clarke, who very recently passed away. I enjoy Sci-Fi from before our hi-tech times, when imagination was a necessity for creating stories beyond our world.
The book is very interesting and 'out-there' but the author's imagination and the sense of discovery felt by the characters in the book really kept me glued to the pages. There are two books based off this one, with each one getting stranger and stranger.
I would...more
The book is very interesting and 'out-there' but the author's imagination and the sense of discovery felt by the characters in the book really kept me glued to the pages. There are two books based off this one, with each one getting stranger and stranger.
I would...more
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Another great story from the late Arthur C. Clarke. The first in the series, this story will get you hooked to it, enough to make you read all four books in the series. Curiosity, need for answers and knowledge is the driving force behind the adventures in this novel. Who wouldn't want to know what knowledge and what kind of technology exists in a gigantic and seemingly abandoned ship in space which suddenly appears out of nowhere? But what if you start to realize that this ship has a purpose?
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Traditional sci-fi book, but is better written than most. Author has a knack for that in most of his works. It's a good story that follows a group of explorers on a journey to a spaceship that visits the solar system. They obviously explore it, and I won't go into detail so as not to spoil it. Doesn't have a whole lot of the "where do we fit into the universe" or "outward expansion" themes of traditional sci-fi. It reads like a short story. Good pleasure reading, but yo...more
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A fun little book from back in the day when SF was still cheesy and optimistic. The main problems here are a lack of any real tension, as our heroes are all infallible super-future-scientists who never make mistakes and can think their way out of any situation. Still, Rama has a sense of mystery which will capture the attention of anyone with a curious mind. Once Clarke introduces the giant metal alien box, it's hard to stop reading until you know what's inside.
Also, space orgies? Sheesh....more
Also, space orgies? Sheesh....more
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Becky by:
Danrecommends it for: serious sci-fi lovers
This book is definitely a science fiction geek's dream. However, I am not a sci-fi geek, so I found it a little tedious in descriptions and slow in plot. I kept waiting for some big climactic event, or maybe even something that resembled a lead-up to a climax. But nothing happened. Clarke is absolutely, the most imaginative author in his detailed descriptions and his ability to think way-out of the norm. I just never got into it I guess. Maybe it would be better as a movie (with more action...more
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I'm a big SF fan, but not much for the hard SF stuff. This is one of my few ventures into the subgenre, but it payed off. This is a great book for the wannabe astronaut in all of us. If you ever dreamed of strapping on a spacesuit and going up there, this book is for you. Clarke works a wonderful tale of exploration with a minimum bashing over the head with science. But, from reading this one, it's clear that Clarke did his homework and he sneaks the real bits in. Great fun.
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Read in January, 1979
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in May, 1998
recommends it for:
Sci-fi peeps
This was my first adventure into the world of sci-fi as a kid. I hardly remember anything about the characters in particular from the story, but what definitely stands out to me still is the mindblowing concepts and visuals that Clarke designed for the story. I've always been eager to read the second in the series, but haven't taken the dive yet. So for those curious to explore new scientific concepts, this one's great.
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Read in January, 1988
"Standard" science fiction, for my opinion. Brilliant plot and end, and pushed me to think outside the tiny box that is my head. But I didn't finish it. I got confused by the description of the time-space thing and found it hard to imagine, via the author's words, what the continuum looked like. Sorry, that's just me. Would like to see a movie made so CGI could help me out. Worlds within worlds, yowza!
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Read in May, 2008
A quick read that has an interesting story set in the future; made me want to see a well - done movie version for the visual rendition. Book was written in 1972 so obviously would have had a stronger impact at that earlier time of the Space Age. Another good book from Clarke who cowrote 2001 with filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Sci - fi fans should check out Niven and Pournelle's "The Mote in God's Eye."
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Read in January, 2005
My father told me I had to read this book again and again until I finally broke down. I should really listen to him more often. This was a fantastic book! Pure science-fiction. The funny thing is, nothing happens in the book and yet the suspense keeps you reading until the end! Fantastic writing. I keep telling myself I've got to read the other Rama books but I just haven't got to it yet.
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