Arthur Charles Clarke

Classic SF novel of first contact with an alien civilization.

Rendezvous with Rama

Arthur C. Clarke

The astonishing and groundbreaking Rama series begins. Rama - a metallic cylinder approaching the sun at a tremendous velocity Rama - first product of an alien civilization to be encountered by man Rama - a world of technological marvels and artificial ecology What is its purpose in this year 2131? Who is inside it? And why? Look out for more information on this book and others on the Orbit website at www.orbitbooks.co.uk

Jason Lo

Cody Degen

RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA

Michael Springer

A gigantic spaceship floats into the Milky Way, and the people of Earth, Mercury, Mars and Venus send a capable crew to investigate it. Inside, they find a strange, self-sustaining environment with lots of surprises in store for them. 

Rendezvous with Rama is well-written and entertaining, with no "Oh fuck" moments (moments that surprise and awe me) and no "Oh, hell" moments (moments where the writing is cringingly bad). The characters aren't especially complex, but their lack of complexity is never a distraction or an annoyance. The climax is...well, I was hoping for more. Clocking in at 200-some pages, R.W.R. is some science-fictiony entertainment for a few hours. 

The most exceptional thing about this book is how excessively standard it is. Even its title screams "generic SF," and Clarke delivers. Rama seems kind of like "And the Cradle Will Rock" for SF books: any SF book better than this one rocks, any book less rockin' than this one doesn't. This book is a perfect measuring stick. 

I am surprised that this is considered a classic of the genre, but what do I know? At the time, it must've been groundbreaking. Arthur C Clarke is a capable writer, and I enjoyed this one enough to read more of his work. 

P.S. Thank you, Chuck Klosterman, for unknowingly letting me borrow your "And the Cradle Will Rock" theory.

Gavin

Todd Luallen

I can see why this book was so well honored back when it was written. It is one of those sci-fi books that fills you with wonder as you read. I found myself frequently thinking about the scenes in the book even when I was away from the reading. Clarke had provided a setting, and I wanted to spend time there, even when he wasn't leading me. Well done Mr. Clarke.

Kelsey Lynn

Enjoyable and interesting, but not unique enough

Quick, I hope this time I'll actually expand. Interesting and to the point concept. A little too similar to Ringworld in story progression but unique enough to warrent the win, maybe. I found that it was a little too much of a set up for future books. By itself I found it to be missing something. Not a lot happens in it, while I liked those quiet moments of exploration, I still wish more happened. I feel my brain will always compare it to Ringworld, and Ringworld being the earlier book makes me have to rethink what I considered the qualifications of winning the Hugo. This just wasn't unique enough.
It did however suceed in peaking my interest. I will read the next book for sure.

Eduardo Sorribas

What an amazing story! It filled me with wonder. The plot is great and the engineering and scientific details were very well thought out, but didn't get on the way of the story. My favorite book so far this year and one of my all time favorites.

Adam

After loving Childhoods End, I wanted to check out more by Clark. Rama is different book than I imagined. In a future earth where we've settled the solar system, a large cylindrical spaceship decides to make its way to us. The book explores the interactions with this unknown ship.

It is the first in a four-book series, but it could also be thought of as the first half of a story. I felt somewhat incomplete with the way it ended, although it is as likely an ending as any.

Rendezvous with Rama

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