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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
SUMMARY:
In December, 1999, a multinational team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who -- or what -- is out there?In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe. In Contact, he predicts its future -- and our own.
In December, 1999, a multinational team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who -- or what -- is out there?In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe. In Contact, he predicts its future -- and our own.
I read this book when I was an early teenager and I remember getting really frustrated with Carl Sagan for making it hard for me to understand. Then, I listened to it as an audiobook while driving across the country from PA to Arizona and I LOVED it. This book is not a hard read at all, I thought. I am so glad I did the second read of it and that it got to be while I was staring at the empty landscape of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona..so imagining the amount of stars that could be seen at night in those areas was easy. One of the things I'd like to do while living in Arizona (maybe on a monthly basis, if I can get myself to do it even once), is to drive out of any city area, park somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and sit on top of my car and look at the stars. The whole thing would only take an hour, including driving time, but I think it'd be sort of spiritual and meditative.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A beautiful blend of science and philosophy, presented in a story that will appeal to a broad range of readers, even those who don't generally read sci-fi.
This is one of my favorite books. I often go back to it when I need a little inspiration. A very intelligent and beautiful exploration of faith and finding something to believe in.
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
A good Sci-fi yarn by the late great astronomer and astrophysicist Carl Sagan.
The novel follows scientist Ellie Arroway, from her childhood as a young genius, through to adulthood until she becomes director of 'Project Argus' and its radio telescope in the search for extra terrestrial intelligence (SETI) when they discover a message seemingly being broadcast from the Vega system.
They try to decode the incoming message and deal with the global implications of discovering such a message. The responses from the various government and religious leaders to the message comes across as all too believable, and not totally unexpected.
Sagan doesn't dazzle the story with too much science making it difficult to follow but his explanations of the astronomy and astrophysics were easy to follow along with, making you learn as you read.
Along with the science, 'Contact' also comes across as a very religious book. Throughout the book, the question of faith, in light of there being life outside of our world, is brought up quite a few times. Ellie in the book seemed to be agnostic in her beliefs, and when she meets with a couple of religious figures, seemed to argue her view convincingly to me. Much to the chagrin of the preachers.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Laurel Lefkow is really good, bringing the characters, especially Ellie Arroway, to life.
Overall, 'Contact' is thought provoking and fascinating and well worth picking up.
The novel follows scientist Ellie Arroway, from her childhood as a young genius, through to adulthood until she becomes director of 'Project Argus' and its radio telescope in the search for extra terrestrial intelligence (SETI) when they discover a message seemingly being broadcast from the Vega system.
They try to decode the incoming message and deal with the global implications of discovering such a message. The responses from the various government and religious leaders to the message comes across as all too believable, and not totally unexpected.
Sagan doesn't dazzle the story with too much science making it difficult to follow but his explanations of the astronomy and astrophysics were easy to follow along with, making you learn as you read.
Along with the science, 'Contact' also comes across as a very religious book. Throughout the book, the question of faith, in light of there being life outside of our world, is brought up quite a few times. Ellie in the book seemed to be agnostic in her beliefs, and when she meets with a couple of religious figures, seemed to argue her view convincingly to me. Much to the chagrin of the preachers.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Laurel Lefkow is really good, bringing the characters, especially Ellie Arroway, to life.
Overall, 'Contact' is thought provoking and fascinating and well worth picking up.
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Até onde pode nos levar a busca por vida inteligente fora da Terra? Qual seria a reação da humanidade diante de uma mensagem enviada por outros seres? É em torno dessas perguntas que Sagan desenvolve a história de "Contato" e nos leva a várias reflexões sobre a importância de investir no conhecimento científico sobre o Universo e na busca por vida inteligente.
Sagan busca expor e desenvolver alguns pontos de vista contraditórios, como os de ateístas e teístas, ou pacifistas e militaristas, tentando manter uma visão otimista sobre os acontecimentos. Enquanto isso, apresenta diversos conhecimentos científicos sobre o funcionamento do Universo e das diversas tecnologias envolvidas em sua observação e exploração.
"Contato" é um livro agradável de ser lido, principalmente por curiosos e entusiastas do conhecimento astronômico.
Sagan busca expor e desenvolver alguns pontos de vista contraditórios, como os de ateístas e teístas, ou pacifistas e militaristas, tentando manter uma visão otimista sobre os acontecimentos. Enquanto isso, apresenta diversos conhecimentos científicos sobre o funcionamento do Universo e das diversas tecnologias envolvidas em sua observação e exploração.
"Contato" é um livro agradável de ser lido, principalmente por curiosos e entusiastas do conhecimento astronômico.