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A review by civil6512
The Songs Of Distant Earth by Arthur C. Clarke
3.0
By the end of the XXth century, scientists discover that our Sun is dying, having only ~1,600 years left. Although initially shocked, mankind finally realises of the importance of leaving the planet, and plenty of resources start going into space colonisation.
Slow and unsophisticated spaceships are sent to a number of planets in promising solar systems, carrying embryos and the technology they would require to grow into a modern society: as [a: Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1357191481p2/7779.jpg] says, while Man wouldn't survive, Humanity would do. In parallel, on Earth they would keep researching faster means of space travel.
The novel focuses on one of these colonies, settled on a planet which is mainly covered by water. Although the small amount of emerged land forces a strict population control, other than that this planet is mostly an idyllic utopia… Until they receive an unexpected visit from some distant relatives: a last ship, carrying survivors from Earth, needs to make a technical stop before continuing their journey.
I probably had too high hopes for [b: The Songs Of Distant Earth|117842|The Songs Of Distant Earth|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375814883s/117842.jpg|1702889]. I read a two-lines summary, I saw the cover, and I started listening to Mike Oldfield’s album of the same name, and somehow I was expecting an incredible journey. However, while it was good, it was a bit disappointing. The sub-plots were good but not great, the behaviours were almost plausible but not quite… My final feeling is that this would be a great material for a short story or a novelette, but maybe not enough for a full novel.
Slow and unsophisticated spaceships are sent to a number of planets in promising solar systems, carrying embryos and the technology they would require to grow into a modern society: as [a: Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1357191481p2/7779.jpg] says, while Man wouldn't survive, Humanity would do. In parallel, on Earth they would keep researching faster means of space travel.
The novel focuses on one of these colonies, settled on a planet which is mainly covered by water. Although the small amount of emerged land forces a strict population control, other than that this planet is mostly an idyllic utopia… Until they receive an unexpected visit from some distant relatives: a last ship, carrying survivors from Earth, needs to make a technical stop before continuing their journey.
I probably had too high hopes for [b: The Songs Of Distant Earth|117842|The Songs Of Distant Earth|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375814883s/117842.jpg|1702889]. I read a two-lines summary, I saw the cover, and I started listening to Mike Oldfield’s album of the same name, and somehow I was expecting an incredible journey. However, while it was good, it was a bit disappointing. The sub-plots were good but not great, the behaviours were almost plausible but not quite… My final feeling is that this would be a great material for a short story or a novelette, but maybe not enough for a full novel.