Like most people, my first hearing of cosmologist Fred Hoyle came from the story of his mockingly coining the term Big Bang theory. After that, I heard about his Nobel prize-worthy prediction of the triple alpha process along with associated seemingly self-contradictory remarks about evidence of a creator. Every time this man came up it painted more of a picture of the kind of person that - although for sure is also incredibly clever - wants to disagree with everyone just for the sake of it.

So when I learned that he was also a science fiction writer - particularly the kind of hard sci-fi of [a:Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1357191481p2/7779.jpg] that I was so deeply fascinated by as a child - I was eager to read for myself what some have said to be "one of the greatest works of science fiction ever written."

My main problem with this book is that Hoyle is very annoying. The character of Kingsley is a transparent self-insert, which would not be a problem if it weren't for the level of arrogance that is inadvertently presented through this. He is an unquestionable genius, with the remaining cast frequently remarking on how outlandish or clever his plan at any time is, and the baffling insertions of plot-irrelevant scenes of his sexual conquests are jarring and just leave you cringing at Hoyle's presumption.

Despite this, the opening and closing chapters of [b:The Black Cloud|1246118|The Black Cloud|Fred Hoyle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457534017l/1246118.SY75.jpg|1398552] are completely enthralling. The level of insight into how science - and scientists - actually work(ed) and think makes for a compelling and thoroughly convincing narrative. It's one that I could see myself reading again and definitely recommending (with caveat) to anyone who enjoys this type of sci-fi.