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ainsleym's review against another edition
4.0
Slow to get going but the ending is what you'd expect of Clarke in a blend of science, engineering, and action. Still good, but doesn't have quite the same impact as some of Clarke's other work.
jaminup's review against another edition
4.0
I was not actually looking forward to reading this book when I got it. I had just finished The Forever War by Joe Haldeman which I had so been looking forward to, but didn't end up enjoying very much. So when I went to pick out the next book to read, I didn't go with one I particularly was excited to read, but just whatever happened to be the cheapest one on my list. I am glad The Fountains of Paradise ended up being what I purchased. Clarke's tale of two men's ambitions - both fantastical, both in the same revered place, but 2 millennia apart - is exactly what science fiction can really be all about. Clarke set out to give a realistic, but still highly engaging, portrayal of the obstacles and challenges presented to people with bold visions, far ahead of their time.
The book is really a contrast between two types of ambitions and ambitious people. On the one hand is Kalidasa, the ancient, cruel king of Taprobane, whose vision was for a paradise on Earth, and a palace in the heavens, just to prove to the Gods that he could. His vision cost many men their lives, including his own father, and severed his relationship to his brother. His greed kept him from sharing his project with anyone, and it went lost and forgotten for centuries after his death.
Compared to him is the book's protagonist, Vannevar Morgan, a brillitant structural engineer, perhaps the greatest of his lifetime. While Kalidasa was motivated by greed and a pursuit of aesthetic perfection not to be shared, Morgan is motivated by being the person to bring humanity to its next stage of evolution. He wants to be the one to accomplish great things, and in a way does make him as egotistical as Kalidasa at times, but his pursuits are ones to be shared with the world, accessible to everyone. His elevator to the stars is not made as fanciful adventure for the rich and influential; it is made to be a economical way for every man, woman, and child to have the ability to be among the stars and colonize worlds far away from current human abilities.
The book deals with all the mountains, both figurative and literal, of obstacles one must overcome in such grand pursuits, and gives the book the feeling that it is real, human. Going up against budgets, bureaucracies, technical challenges, and PR problems are all very real facets of projects, and seeing Morgan overcome them feels like real victory. But even Morgan, with all his brilliance and careful planning, has to rely on a bit of luck and superstition, things he personally does not seem to believe in, in order to reach the end of his goals. “There is something very strange about a universe where a few dead butterflies can balance a billion-ton tower.”
The book is really a contrast between two types of ambitions and ambitious people. On the one hand is Kalidasa, the ancient, cruel king of Taprobane, whose vision was for a paradise on Earth, and a palace in the heavens, just to prove to the Gods that he could. His vision cost many men their lives, including his own father, and severed his relationship to his brother. His greed kept him from sharing his project with anyone, and it went lost and forgotten for centuries after his death.
Compared to him is the book's protagonist, Vannevar Morgan, a brillitant structural engineer, perhaps the greatest of his lifetime. While Kalidasa was motivated by greed and a pursuit of aesthetic perfection not to be shared, Morgan is motivated by being the person to bring humanity to its next stage of evolution. He wants to be the one to accomplish great things, and in a way does make him as egotistical as Kalidasa at times, but his pursuits are ones to be shared with the world, accessible to everyone. His elevator to the stars is not made as fanciful adventure for the rich and influential; it is made to be a economical way for every man, woman, and child to have the ability to be among the stars and colonize worlds far away from current human abilities.
The book deals with all the mountains, both figurative and literal, of obstacles one must overcome in such grand pursuits, and gives the book the feeling that it is real, human. Going up against budgets, bureaucracies, technical challenges, and PR problems are all very real facets of projects, and seeing Morgan overcome them feels like real victory. But even Morgan, with all his brilliance and careful planning, has to rely on a bit of luck and superstition, things he personally does not seem to believe in, in order to reach the end of his goals. “There is something very strange about a universe where a few dead butterflies can balance a billion-ton tower.”
hokkaido's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
chabuch's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
accidentalspaceexplorer's review against another edition
I just didn't care about it, really. I didn't even really make it to the SF parts but it was boring & I don't want to force myself to read it just because.
shermanberry's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Picked this up at a library sale and it’s been on the shelf for years. I’m glad I finally decided to read it.
A predictably brilliant book from one of the masters of SF. There are many themes explored including science vs religion, progress vs tradition, first contact and potential future climate change. Many ideas are truly visionary considering that this book was published in 1979.
The main protagonist is an engineer who has the idea to build a “space elevator” made of a new type of carbon lattice called hyper filament. This would be a gateway to the stars remaining in geosynchronous orbit but would decimate the existing rocket industry. He also has to contend with a Buddhist temple being on the site that would be the ideal place to build from.
The first part of the story describes the development of the tower against a back story that relates the history of the site two thousand years previously.
The end of the story develops into a tense thriller type situation which is difficult to elaborate on without spoilers.
Overall a very good read and effectively does what all good SF does. It makes the reader stop and think - “What would happen to humanity if…..”?
A predictably brilliant book from one of the masters of SF. There are many themes explored including science vs religion, progress vs tradition, first contact and potential future climate change. Many ideas are truly visionary considering that this book was published in 1979.
The main protagonist is an engineer who has the idea to build a “space elevator” made of a new type of carbon lattice called hyper filament. This would be a gateway to the stars remaining in geosynchronous orbit but would decimate the existing rocket industry. He also has to contend with a Buddhist temple being on the site that would be the ideal place to build from.
The first part of the story describes the development of the tower against a back story that relates the history of the site two thousand years previously.
The end of the story develops into a tense thriller type situation which is difficult to elaborate on without spoilers.
Overall a very good read and effectively does what all good SF does. It makes the reader stop and think - “What would happen to humanity if…..”?
luisams's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-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
arf88's review against another edition
4.0
This book is less about building a space tower, and more about the the hurdles needed to be jumped when building a space tower.
There's some interesting characters in this, and while there's no great "character building" moments, I never felt that they were cardboard cutouts. Saying that, anyone who reads books for the characters is probably going to be disappointed.
The plot was simple but had lots of entertaining elements, with the random "history" of the island coming back to relevance in interesting ways. Although, I can't be the only one who knew exactly what was going to happen as soon as the legend of the butterflies was brought up, and the weather monk then decided to wander off. It's not like Clarke to be predictable, but it did make for an amazing part of the book, so the obvious foreshadowing can be forgiven.
I think of all of Clarke's books I've read, this is the one where his love of science most shines through, and it's got me interested enough to start googling about the realistic future of space lifts.
There's some interesting characters in this, and while there's no great "character building" moments, I never felt that they were cardboard cutouts. Saying that, anyone who reads books for the characters is probably going to be disappointed.
The plot was simple but had lots of entertaining elements, with the random "history" of the island coming back to relevance in interesting ways. Although, I can't be the only one who knew exactly what was going to happen as soon as the legend of the butterflies was brought up, and the weather monk then decided to wander off. It's not like Clarke to be predictable, but it did make for an amazing part of the book, so the obvious foreshadowing can be forgiven.
I think of all of Clarke's books I've read, this is the one where his love of science most shines through, and it's got me interested enough to start googling about the realistic future of space lifts.
killedian's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rainjrop's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Arthur C. Clarke always has a vision and it's so wonderful when it gradually unfolds. He has such great way of portraying the vastness of time and space, as well as such high hopes and dreams of what humanity can accomplish. It's nice to experience optimism every once and a while.
Arthur C. Clarke always has a vision and it's so wonderful when it gradually unfolds. He has such great way of portraying the vastness of time and space, as well as such high hopes and dreams of what humanity can accomplish. It's nice to experience optimism every once and a while.