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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fantastic read!
I really enjoyed the blend of science and fiction in this book; especially because the scientific aspects are not only highly accurate but also remain relevant today!
I may be a bit biased, having done research in a similar field, but I found the main character’s journey genuinely approachable and easy to connect with. That aside, the story itself is compelling, beautifully written, and, most importantly, thought-provoking. It raises powerful questions about how society might respond if we were ever to make contact or discover signs of life beyond Earth.
I would 100% recommend this book!
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve never read anything by Sagan, and I found online that this is the only novel he ever wrote. I know him mostly by the reputation of his genius, and so was surprised at how much of that intellect was harnessed to tell us that, “For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.”
I found myself tearing up a little more than once while reading this, in a way that a lot of tear jerkers and tragedies have failed to do. I think he just makes the act of loving so real. His words press into the bruise of your skin, remind you of the soft flesh heart of your living body, and the way it is reliant on the love it finds in other soft bones.
If you’re looking to read something that is hard sci-fi, I think this definitely qualifies, but I hope you also enjoy how wonderfully curious and in love with the universe this book is, in a way that reminds you that you too once asked why the sky is blue.
I found myself tearing up a little more than once while reading this, in a way that a lot of tear jerkers and tragedies have failed to do. I think he just makes the act of loving so real. His words press into the bruise of your skin, remind you of the soft flesh heart of your living body, and the way it is reliant on the love it finds in other soft bones.
If you’re looking to read something that is hard sci-fi, I think this definitely qualifies, but I hope you also enjoy how wonderfully curious and in love with the universe this book is, in a way that reminds you that you too once asked why the sky is blue.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
I appreciate the optimistic image of humanity coming together upon gaining the perspective of not being alone in the universe. In that way the Message of the book is good, however I would not say it is the strongest novel. The characters read more like conduits for the different philosophical perspectives on science and faith that Sagan wants to present than emotionally complex people. For example, Ellie’s storyline with her mother is given relatively little attention compared to her scientific and professional exploits. In addition, the focus is almost all on intellectuals and thought leaders and their actions rather than on ordinary people, which is at best boring and at worst pretentious. Partly as a result, the pacing is quite slow in the middle. The encounter sequence is great though and made for an exciting last few chapters.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I decided to read this book after loving the movie. They are both great in different ways. As expected, a book written by a science educator really gets down into the minute details of the science behind the science fiction, but does so in a digestible, smart way. Some sections verged on an information overload, but the concise writing and the pacing made it more interesting than grueling.
The story and the characters are fantastic and no less interesting having watched the movie. I do wish the book had more of the emotional backbone and point of view regarding sexism that the movie had, but the book made up for it by having a better ending.
Contact has to be one of the all time great science fiction novels.
The story and the characters are fantastic and no less interesting having watched the movie. I do wish the book had more of the emotional backbone and point of view regarding sexism that the movie had, but the book made up for it by having a better ending.
Contact has to be one of the all time great science fiction novels.
I have… such conflicting feelings about this book. The first 350 pages were not great. I almost put it down, but I wanted to finish it for Sagan’s sake. The last 70 pages were emotionally moving and I loved them. The whole book was about faith. The main character required evidence for a higher power. She refused to accept priests who thought there was something higher. At the end of the book she experienced something almost supernatural, without almost any evidence afterwards. This time, her and the priest’s roles were reversed. I thought it was to teach some acceptance to those who have faith. But instead, at the end of the book, the main character finds some symbols in pi that prove the universe had a deliberate creator. It aligns with what Carl Sagan was looking for, he claimed to be working to find proof of a creator, but never could. So in essence, the end of the book sees his dream come true. All in all…. 3/5.
I really admire Carl Sagan’s optimism about humanity. Unfortunately I am personally somewhat of a hardened skeptic and I find myself unable to let myself believe like he did.