Paperback, 189 pages
English language
Published Aug. 13, 1956 by Pan Books.
Childhood's End is a 1953 science fiction novel by British author Arthur C. Clarke. The story follows the peaceful alien invasion of Earth by the mysterious Overlords, whose arrival ends all war, helps form a world government, and turns the planet into a near-utopia. Many questions are asked about the origins and mission of the aliens, but they avoid answering, preferring to remain in their ships, governing through indirect rule. Decades later, the Overlords eventually show themselves, and their impact on human culture leads to a Golden Age. However, the last generation of children on Earth begin to display powerful psychic abilities, heralding their evolution into a group mind, a transcendent form of life.
Well done, Mr. Clarke! I loved how the more I read, the more he subverted my expectations. Clearly written, beautifully structured and presented. I'm eager to read more Transhumanist sci-fi to see how well it meshes with modern interpretations of man's eventual ascension.
Arthur C. Clarke is one of The Big Three of classic Science Fiction (the others being Robert A. Heinlein and Isaac Asimov), and this is one of his best. Indeed, it is a classic in the field of science fiction. The recent dramatization was not awful, but nothing compared to the book. In this book his interest in the evolution of the human race (also noted in 2001: A Space Odyssey) is set in the context of a mysterious group of aliens, the Overlords, who arrive in their ships above all of the major cities of Earth. They announce that they are taking over, and they put an end to war. A Golden Age follows, but there is a final twist.
An interesting first encounter novel which unexpectedly transitions into a human evolution story. Clarke's novel also blends sf tropes with paranormal motifs in an unusual way -- suggesting that the future can leak into human racial memory. I had a hard time adjusting to Clarke's prose and felt that the first half of the novel was mostly spinning its wheels. The final third, however, was astonishing and surprising.
I've read this book twice and never associated it with Clarke. Probably because I usually don't like his books, but I liked this one. Good story, good pacing.
I've read this book twice and never associated it with Clarke. Probably because I usually don't like his books, but I liked this one. Good story, good pacing.
Il s'agit certainement de l'un des meilleurs romans de science-fiction que j'ai lus jusqu'à aujourd'hui. Une histoire de Premier Contact entre l'humanité et des extra-terrestres bienveillants mais dont les objectifs semblent obscurs aux habitants de la planète Terre. Bien pensé, intelligent, prenant du début à la fin.
This book has been on my "to read" shelf since The Empire Strikes Back was in theaters. I just had never gotten around to reading it.
The premise is now a cliche: Large alien ships show up and hover over major world cities. The good news is that these aliens do not present mankind with a cookbook, nor are they reptiles intent on stealing Earth's water. They also do not blow up world landmarks only to be defeated by Will Smith and a Mac.
Overall I enjoyed it I liked the first two thirds of the book. The last third, the part where the alien's purpose was revealed was not my favorite resolution to the story but it was a lot clearer than the end to 2001!
One my top all time favorite books. Also easily read in one sitting.
