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mysteriousbibliophile's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
j_m_moore's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Sometime in the 21st century, a moonquake results in a lunar tour bus becoming trapped fifteen metres below a sea of moon dust; this short novel chronicles the passengers' fight for survival as they are faced with dwindling oxygen and food, and also follows the rescue attempts trying to reach them.
For such a terrifyingly claustrophobic concept, A Fall of Moondust wasn't the least bit disturbing or tense. It had the potential for so much more, perhaps a dark exploration of humanity when stretched to the brink (in the vein of the wonderfully creepy Doctor Who episode, Midnight), but it adopts a completely different tone. Indeed, it was surprisingly cosy, with hot drinks being served, fun games being played while awaiting rescue, and a secret love affair blossoming.
On a separate note, the descriptions and the humour felt a little dated; in particular, the gender stereotypes are a little disappointing, and there are some lines about people's weight that I felt were in poor taste. There was also a (perhaps?) slightly progressive discussion about colonialism between two of the characters at some point, but it felt extremely shoe-horned in, and was not in the slightest bit relevant to the general themes, character development or plot.
A quick read, doesn't require much thinking, some occasional laughs (in particular, the Isaac Newton porn made me giggle); however, the story compared with the premise is rather disappointing. I am frankly astonished that John Wyndham (whose 'cosy catastrophe' novels, e.g. Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cuckoos, are, in stark contrast, hauntingly beautiful) is quoted on the cover saying that this was his favourite Arthur C Clarke book.
For such a terrifyingly claustrophobic concept, A Fall of Moondust wasn't the least bit disturbing or tense. It had the potential for so much more, perhaps a dark exploration of humanity when stretched to the brink (in the vein of the wonderfully creepy Doctor Who episode, Midnight), but it adopts a completely different tone. Indeed, it was surprisingly cosy, with hot drinks being served, fun games being played while awaiting rescue, and a secret love affair blossoming.
On a separate note, the descriptions and the humour felt a little dated; in particular, the gender stereotypes are a little disappointing, and there are some lines about people's weight that I felt were in poor taste. There was also a (perhaps?) slightly progressive discussion about colonialism between two of the characters at some point, but it felt extremely shoe-horned in, and was not in the slightest bit relevant to the general themes, character development or plot.
A quick read, doesn't require much thinking, some occasional laughs (in particular, the Isaac Newton porn made me giggle); however, the story compared with the premise is rather disappointing. I am frankly astonished that John Wyndham (whose 'cosy catastrophe' novels, e.g. Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cuckoos, are, in stark contrast, hauntingly beautiful) is quoted on the cover saying that this was his favourite Arthur C Clarke book.
joshualenzo_'s review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
doina23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
tense
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? No
3.5
thescienceofcurls's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nebuus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
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? No
2.0
j_almat's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
swankyswank's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
fernerly's review against another edition
2.0
This one just didn’t work me. Way too ‘outdated’ sci-fi in such a way that bordered annoying.
jam_scot's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I had read Arthur C. Clarke's other books "Rendezvous With Rama", "2001: A Space Oddessey" and "Childhood's End" and absolutely adored those 3. This one wasn't quite of the same standard but nonetheless, a very enjoyable read.
The plot is essentially mankind are running tourist expeditions to the moon, on one of these expeditions the moon has a "moonquake" and swallows the vehicle containing 20-odd souls on a remote part of the moon and it's the story of them trying to locate and save them.
The plot is essentially mankind are running tourist expeditions to the moon, on one of these expeditions the moon has a "moonquake" and swallows the vehicle containing 20-odd souls on a remote part of the moon and it's the story of them trying to locate and save them.