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karobit's review against another edition
It's really good but after the, well, the prologue, I knew it would put me in a despondent mood and I'm not up for that right now.
jackjpaton's review against another edition
4.0
Good short read, and always mindblowing to realise this book was written fifteen years before the moon landing.
mkpatt's review against another edition
4.0
A Good Story, one of Clarke’s best
I’ve read a lot of Clarke stories, this one is a bit better than 2001 was because it’s easy to see the fate of humanity. But Clarke doesn’t always make it so easy. The one thing I don’t care for in so many of his tales is the inevitability of the end. I prefer the stories that involve a struggle that the protagonist has a chance to win. That’s clearly absent here. Still, I definitely enjoyed it through the end.
I’ve read a lot of Clarke stories, this one is a bit better than 2001 was because it’s easy to see the fate of humanity. But Clarke doesn’t always make it so easy. The one thing I don’t care for in so many of his tales is the inevitability of the end. I prefer the stories that involve a struggle that the protagonist has a chance to win. That’s clearly absent here. Still, I definitely enjoyed it through the end.
lads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
bitterpearl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I like how the author highlighted how the end of the plot can actually be a good thing despite it being so macabre in the eyes of humans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Pregnancy, and Adult/minor relationship
giio's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lonelyasfranz's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting enough, and with decent pacing, which is more than I can say for some books.
ailishgray's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
vruben62's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mark_b's review against another edition
4.5
Clarke writes about big things in Childhood’s End. It’s 1950s sci-fi from start to finish. I found the first half of the book less challenging than the second half: or maybe my interest grew as the Overlords’ motives were gradually revealed. Some of the minor details were amusing: Flying cars! Cocktails! The end of poverty! Other 1950s features were more problematic: casual racism, and Clarke’s handling of the role of women. These take away from an otherwise good read. Recommended.