Reviews - Contact | The StoryGraph

1.38k reviews for:

Contact

Carl Sagan

4.07 AVERAGE

eve11's review against another edition

2.5

challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

stianhj's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous medium-paced

ajju_315's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Carl Sagan was truly a visionary, and the core concept of Contact is brilliant. The novel explores profound ideas with scientific depth and philosophical insight. However, some sections could have benefited from tighter editing—the story starts off slowly and drags in parts, especially in the middle. That said, it gains momentum around the 70% mark and finishes strong. While I'd rate the book a 3/5 based on pacing and engagement, the powerful ending and overarching theme elevate it to a solid 4/5.

traviscanread's review against another edition

3.0

informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

ciongolongo's review against another edition

4.0

A good solid first contact story. I enjoyed most of it although this was definitely not the easiest book to read, in parts it felt like there's way too much hard science for my taste. I clearly did not understand most of it and while reading, it felt like more than 400 pages. Also there's too much religion for me. 3.75*

davidranderson's review against another edition

5.0

The book does a great job of highlighting both what is scientifically true as well as what provides meaning to us as human beings. Carl Sagan's career as an astronomer and science communicator ensured the science was accurate and clear. His deep engagement with other people and the important issues of the day allowed him to understand how people's lives play a role in the search for knowledge and how scientific breakthroughs profoundly impact people's material and inner lives. I love this book!

d_karlshausen's review against another edition

4.0

I’d tattoo Carl Sagan’s face straight onto my raw, bloody heart, but he wasn’t born a fiction writer and this has to be one of the only examples ever of a movie being better (in my opinion) than the book. Still good, though.