Written in 1973, a massive 50 kilometre long alien cylinder begins to pass through the solar system provoking a hurried effort to intercept it. The closest available ship rushes to rendezvous so as to have a quick study before it gets too close to the sun. Able to enter via an airlock on one end of the ship, the crew explores the huge world found inside, a world full of wonder and mystery. As usual, the science is spot on. This is the best novel of Clarke's since 2001 and Childhood's End and is a truly grand adventure full of puzzles and ideas that lead you asking more questions than are answered. Enough questions in fact to lead to numerous inferior sequels, but enough answers to leave you satisfied. Don't pass up this gem of hard science fiction.
This book is fascinating. It's very much a hallmark of it's time, with a few astronomical inconsistencies now that we know better, but that doesn't detract from it. At it heart, it's about exploring a fascinating space ship from an alien civilization. You, alongside the characters, are left wondering at Rama's purpose, it's inhabitants, and how everything works. The joy of discovery is a central theme for this book. I may not remember the characters or points of the plot years from now, but I will remember Rama.
Tal y como dice otro comentario: "[...]it's 50% description of a docking maneuver, and 50% setup for an exciting book[...]". Y así es, dan ganas de leer las siguientes novelas de la saga porque esta deja muchos hilos por atar. Pongo cinco estrellas porque es de un grande y como episodio piloto me ha gustado bastante, aunque revisaré mi valoración cuando lea el resto de la saga.
До этой книги я честно считал, что hard sf стареет медленно: научные парадигмы сменяют друг друга, техника мельчает и ускоряется, но считать, что мы приходим в жанр за достоверными прогнозами — это... слишком функциональный ответ. Для меня хороший hard sf это исследование загадки, в котором процесс важнее и правдивости результата и достоверности условий.
Проблема с Rendezvous with Rama: вы в любой момент впереди автора на восемь шагов. У вас больше вопросов, и у вас куда более интересные ответы. Мы знаем, что книга собрала все важные sf-награды и считается классикой жанра. Неуежели, всё, что определяет выдающийся sf — это новизна?
Потому что кроме не годящейся уже на эпизод телесериала центральной интриги здесь ничего особенно и нет. Герои почти всегда определяются своей основной функцией в рамках повествования, а в моменты, когда нет... Моя рабочая теория: списаны с рекламных материалов сигаретных брендов. В наличии проницательный историк, ещё пара каких-то Работающих Над Важной Проблемой …
До этой книги я честно считал, что hard sf стареет медленно: научные парадигмы сменяют друг друга, техника мельчает и ускоряется, но считать, что мы приходим в жанр за достоверными прогнозами — это... слишком функциональный ответ. Для меня хороший hard sf это исследование загадки, в котором процесс важнее и правдивости результата и достоверности условий.
Проблема с Rendezvous with Rama: вы в любой момент впереди автора на восемь шагов. У вас больше вопросов, и у вас куда более интересные ответы. Мы знаем, что книга собрала все важные sf-награды и считается классикой жанра. Неуежели, всё, что определяет выдающийся sf — это новизна?
Потому что кроме не годящейся уже на эпизод телесериала центральной интриги здесь ничего особенно и нет. Герои почти всегда определяются своей основной функцией в рамках повествования, а в моменты, когда нет... Моя рабочая теория: списаны с рекламных материалов сигаретных брендов. В наличии проницательный историк, ещё пара каких-то Работающих Над Важной Проблемой выдающихся учёных, целеустремлённый посол, атлет-олимпиец, и капитан корабля, мужчина решительный и имеющий двух жён на разных что ли планетах; "прекрасно ладящих друг с другом", как не забывает уточнить автор.
Вместе с генетически модифицированными суперобезьянами, выполняющими тяжёлую работу (подлежат эвтаназии в нештатных ситуациях), и гордыми милитаристичными колонизаторами жарких внутренних планет эти закадровые женщины (капитан с хитрецой: шлёт одинаковые письма, правя только имена, поди ж ты) видимо должны формировать общую утопическую картину; не могу избавиться от впечатления, что получается практически идеальная in-universe книга из обновлённой серии Wolfenstein.
The end of this novel was weak; the rest of the story was quite good. Since I can not give a half point (3.5) I gave the first book in series the benefit of the extra half point. I will try the next in the series to see what happens. Who knows from there.
I rarely find myself engrossed in a book so much that I cannot put it down. This book however managed to do just that, but why is that? Firstly, I really liked Clarke's style of writing. The way he describes the interior of Rama and everything else really got me excited. The characters, for the most part, I did not find very gripping. However, I didn't think that was that big of a problem. The biggest reason for me liking this book so much however is the fact that it reminded me of an old (audio)book I listened to which I unfortunately forgot the name of. I believe though that it was part of the Perry Rhodan series.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes scifi, exploration and mystery!
I rarely find myself engrossed in a book so much that I cannot put it down. This book however managed to do just that, but why is that? Firstly, I really liked Clarke's style of writing. The way he describes the interior of Rama and everything else really got me excited. The characters, for the most part, I did not find very gripping. However, I didn't think that was that big of a problem. The biggest reason for me liking this book so much however is the fact that it reminded me of an old (audio)book I listened to which I unfortunately forgot the name of. I believe though that it was part of the Perry Rhodan series.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes scifi, exploration and mystery!
The first half of the book was extremely slow, to many details for a non English native. The second half picked up the pace but I still keep a feeling of 'wasn't enough'.
Maybe it's just not my kind of book and I need more charismatic characters.
Thanks Pat Rothfuss, for recommending this book in his review.
I am never able to get enough hard science fiction. I always enjoy stories more when they have to deal with the hard speed limit. It makes the author's job more difficult, but I always have enjoyed the product much more when it is pulled off well. And boy does this book pull it off.
I felt like I was there trying to figure out the puzzles at the same time. I've never before been as satisfied to not have all of my questions answered. Of course, that doesn't mean I shan't be reading the sequels.
Thanks Pat Rothfuss, for recommending this book in his review.
I am never able to get enough hard science fiction. I always enjoy stories more when they have to deal with the hard speed limit. It makes the author's job more difficult, but I always have enjoyed the product much more when it is pulled off well. And boy does this book pull it off.
I felt like I was there trying to figure out the puzzles at the same time. I've never before been as satisfied to not have all of my questions answered. Of course, that doesn't mean I shan't be reading the sequels.
In 2131, astronomers detected what they initially believe to be an asteroid near Jupiter. It is named "Rama" after the Hindu god. An unmanned space probe named "Sita" (after Rama's wife) is sent to investigate and sends back photos, which show that this is no asteroid - it is a perfectly smooth cylinder 34 miles long and 12 miles wide. It is an alien spacecraft. The solar survey vessel the "Endeavor" is sent to investigate "Rama."
This is an intriguing, realistic (if I can use that word for science fiction) story by one of the masters of science fiction. This novel won't appeal to anyone (check out the reviews on Amazon) due to its focus on "Rama" and not characterization. The characters are rather flat and not drawn well, which is why I subtracted a star. Attitudes have also changed since "Rama" was first published in 1973. If you read …
In 2131, astronomers detected what they initially believe to be an asteroid near Jupiter. It is named "Rama" after the Hindu god. An unmanned space probe named "Sita" (after Rama's wife) is sent to investigate and sends back photos, which show that this is no asteroid - it is a perfectly smooth cylinder 34 miles long and 12 miles wide. It is an alien spacecraft. The solar survey vessel the "Endeavor" is sent to investigate "Rama."
This is an intriguing, realistic (if I can use that word for science fiction) story by one of the masters of science fiction. This novel won't appeal to anyone (check out the reviews on Amazon) due to its focus on "Rama" and not characterization. The characters are rather flat and not drawn well, which is why I subtracted a star. Attitudes have also changed since "Rama" was first published in 1973. If you read the book, I think you'll notice what I mean. The emphasis is on the discovery and exploration of "Rama." Another reviewer commented that it was like seeing it all through your own eyes and I agree. I think that's one reason why this book was successfully adapted as PC game twice. I'm amazed it hasn't been made into a movie, though it apparently served as inspiration for "Interstellar."
There are other books in the series: [b:Rama II|17692863|Rama II (Rama, #2)|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364237300s/17692863.jpg|1907786], [b:The Garden of Rama|17690723|The Garden of Rama (Rama, #3)|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364236000s/17690723.jpg|876293], and [b:Rama Revealed|17692870|Rama Revealed (Rama, #4)|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364237442s/17692870.jpg|828267]. Though they have Arthur C Clarke's name on them, they were actually written by [a:Gentry Lee|65129|Gentry Lee|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1358130743p2/65129.jpg]. Clarke simply read them and making editing suggestions. I haven't read them myself and cannot comment on their quality (or lack of it).
P.S. Just for fun, google "O'Neill cylinder" and "McKendree cylinder," which are real-life versions of "Rama."
When I was younger, science fiction was my preferred genre in literature over thriller and crime. Now and again I like good scifi, and someone pointed me to this classic Rendezvous with Rama by Sir Arthur C. Clarke. The author himself a highly acclaimed writer in fiction and science as well, so nothing more to expect than a great novel.
Does it sound bad saying this novel is decidedly slow and barely has any action scene in it? To me, this slow and rather relaxed style of writing was an eye opener to what makes great science fiction. It is not about putting action into space or future, like what you see in current movies. The main thrill about scifi is discovering the unknown and unexpected, learning about foreign worlds and environments. Opening the unbelievable oportunity to experience amazing and outlandish images build by one’s own brain, like standing on …
When I was younger, science fiction was my preferred genre in literature over thriller and crime. Now and again I like good scifi, and someone pointed me to this classic Rendezvous with Rama by Sir Arthur C. Clarke. The author himself a highly acclaimed writer in fiction and science as well, so nothing more to expect than a great novel.
Does it sound bad saying this novel is decidedly slow and barely has any action scene in it? To me, this slow and rather relaxed style of writing was an eye opener to what makes great science fiction. It is not about putting action into space or future, like what you see in current movies. The main thrill about scifi is discovering the unknown and unexpected, learning about foreign worlds and environments. Opening the unbelievable oportunity to experience amazing and outlandish images build by one’s own brain, like standing on top of a mountain, having the most astonishing view, and discovering new scenes and details everywhere around oneself.
This book is full of exciting discoveries and I really loved being able to take time and have a story unfold so easy but still surprising and thrilling in its own way. Highly recommended.
Interesting and classic first contact story, Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama distinguishes itself in the way that the first contact almost feels like a dud. The tension of the encounter with Rama and its surprising interior is captivating and well-executed. The brilliance of the novel is that the aliens do not care about humanity and simply passes us over, on the way to somewhere else. That we are completely insignificant, even to the point of being completely ignored by the first intelligent life encountered, is a masterful reversal of our own self-centeredness
