assistant_sensei's review against another edition
4.0
Great read. Pretty short and easy, felt much more modern than the 70 years old it is. Hit on really interesting themes. It didn't explore some of them as much as it could have, but overall a thought-provoking experience that was enjoyable start to finish.
sillypunk's review against another edition
1.0
Fucking space minds: http://blogendorff.ghost.io/book-review-childhoods-end/
oboemeister's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
abogges1's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
neighbs's review against another edition
4.5
Finished this on the train journey from Aberystwyth to Glasgow a few weeks ago. Literally read the last page as we were pulling into Glasgow Central! Really liked this book, it totally exceeded (or maybe more accurately subverted?) my expectations and it’s still on my mind several weeks later.
mrears0_0's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
was hooked
montanasky's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
professor_x's review against another edition
3.0
“Science had also declined. Human curiosity remained, but the heart was taken out of fundamental scientific research. It seemed futile to spend a lifetime searching for secrets that the Overlords had probably uncovered ages before.”
If a race of super intelligent aliens came down to earth and declared an end to all war, poverty and other social ills, would that be a blessing? Or a curse? Is the goal to attain a worldwide utopia a good thing? Are the horrible aspects of life a necessity for us to appreciate the beauty of life itself?
“Humanity had lost its ancient gods: now it was old enough to have no need for new ones.”
Would the end of religion be beneficial to our species? Can we ever really do away with mythology? What would be the repercussions if belief collapsed?
This was a heady sci-fi novel that left me with many questions and is one of those works that require a 2nd or even a third reading to fully grasp the many concepts it contains. It was an enjoyable experience, and I look forward to reading Clark's other works.
If a race of super intelligent aliens came down to earth and declared an end to all war, poverty and other social ills, would that be a blessing? Or a curse? Is the goal to attain a worldwide utopia a good thing? Are the horrible aspects of life a necessity for us to appreciate the beauty of life itself?
“Humanity had lost its ancient gods: now it was old enough to have no need for new ones.”
Would the end of religion be beneficial to our species? Can we ever really do away with mythology? What would be the repercussions if belief collapsed?
This was a heady sci-fi novel that left me with many questions and is one of those works that require a 2nd or even a third reading to fully grasp the many concepts it contains. It was an enjoyable experience, and I look forward to reading Clark's other works.