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A review by j_m_moore
A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke
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.