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bop_oppy's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
joaopsfernandes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
gomoon's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.25
the_sleepy_nightowl's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a classic sci-fi novel from the 1950s/60s that narrates the story of human fate under the rule of the Overlords. Bringing an end to all wars and conflicts on Earth, the question is pursued on how that influences the evolution of mankind and what the ultimate purpose of the aliens is. Told from multiple views, it is a classic golden sci-fi story with the usual elements of strange landscapes, aliens, technology beyond human understanding and the occasional occult trend. All in all, a brief but solid read.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
3.0
Not bought, lent with Amazon Prime for December 2015, due to the mini-series from SyFy. As often, I like to read the book and then see the film or (mini-) series.
And as sometimes happens, this was quite dated and not very suspenseful.
At times it dragged along, barely covering the philosophical themes with dialogue or story.
Nice idea, but basically I did not like both the style and the book, having read such drivel in my childhood and late teens, mostly still in German translation, though the Rama-series from Clarke I read in English, if I remember right.
Three stars for a good idea, and an interesting ending. If they filmed it, as it was written, I wonder why they chose this book. And if not, why bother at all?
My ebook (Kindle) has a scene, which was re-ritten during the cold-war-high-time, nice addition, which as far as the explanation goes, should be in all newer books.
I will watch the series at some point, and add a comment here, but am not looking forward to it.
Maybe my tastes have changed too much since last reading Clarke, and 2001 was also not really my cup of tea (hm, I have cut down my coffee-consumption, never really drank tea, except during vacation in the UK, it is safer to drink tea there, than coffee).
Not recommended, except as a sleeping pill.
A better book, if I am not totally off (should read it again), with something of a similar concept: [b:Blood Music|340819|Blood Music|Greg Bear|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388694820s/340819.jpg|2563510]!
And as sometimes happens, this was quite dated and not very suspenseful.
At times it dragged along, barely covering the philosophical themes with dialogue or story.
Nice idea, but basically I did not like both the style and the book, having read such drivel in my childhood and late teens, mostly still in German translation, though the Rama-series from Clarke I read in English, if I remember right.
Three stars for a good idea, and an interesting ending. If they filmed it, as it was written, I wonder why they chose this book. And if not, why bother at all?
My ebook (Kindle) has a scene, which was re-ritten during the cold-war-high-time, nice addition, which as far as the explanation goes, should be in all newer books.
I will watch the series at some point, and add a comment here, but am not looking forward to it.
Maybe my tastes have changed too much since last reading Clarke, and 2001 was also not really my cup of tea (hm, I have cut down my coffee-consumption, never really drank tea, except during vacation in the UK, it is safer to drink tea there, than coffee).
Not recommended, except as a sleeping pill.
A better book, if I am not totally off (should read it again), with something of a similar concept: [b:Blood Music|340819|Blood Music|Greg Bear|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388694820s/340819.jpg|2563510]!
wasabiapple's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.0
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
2.0
Great premise but too much extraneous nonsense created superfluous chapters (mainly about art and culture) that added nothing to the story line. Poorly executed and just ended up being okay.
fcs627's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
terminus1066's review against another edition
5.0
Aliens come to Earth, and seem to solve all humanity's problems... but what are their true motivations?
An interesting utopian vision, some very deep philosophical musings on the purpose of life, and an ending I found very moving.
An interesting utopian vision, some very deep philosophical musings on the purpose of life, and an ending I found very moving.