Childhood's End

Rating:
Summary: This book was strange and different but very appealing.
Review: Childhood's End was a strange but exciting book. The book was usually easy to follow as some science fiction books are not. Clarke's usage of new characters was very appealing. And the way they all connected in some way reminded me of a Seinfeld episode. The whole idea of a visiting race is hard to grasp; but, a race like the Overlord's, whom seemed to be only helping humans, is very desirable. Unlike many science fiction novels/movies, the Overlords were only trying to bring the human race to a bigger, better place. Some of the things that happened in the book were irrelevant. I didn't really understand the reason why so much time and energy was used on Stormgren when he really didn't have and affect on the story. Actually the whole first section of the book could have been condensed into only a few pages and still have accomplished its purpose. I also found the ending very hard to understand. I think that Clarke should have better explained what was happening to the children and what their final fate was. The book was very strange but also entertaining. Clarke is an exceptional science fiction writer and Childhood's End is a prime example of his ability.

Rating:
Summary: The stars are not for Man.
Review: I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I am not a real big fan of scifi, but this book was pretty interesting. The way Clark seemed to foretell the future of man and his accomplishments was astounding. I was also impressed with the image he gave the Overlords. For the time this book was published it was a very risky thing to do. He described the Overlords as the very Devil himself. Truthfully this book was not the type that "you can't put down until the end". I was able to put it down, but I had to pick it up again later. It's interesting to read what happened to mankind. It's also very thought provoking because the futuristic timeline is much like the actual timeline that took place. I found it funny (in perhaps a sad way) to think that in the 50's, Clark thought Man to be self-destructing. What would you call what is happening to Man today? The 50's were a Happy Wonderland compared to the world we live in today. That was the main reason I continued to read this book. It was weird to see what people back then thought was "bad". They have no idea.

Rating:
Summary: If you'd like to try out Sci-fi, read Childhood's End.
Review: I'll admit, I was a little skeptical about reading a science-fiction book for my English class. Childhood's End was the first book I've read of this sort, but despite my lack of knowledge, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. If you're like me, I recommend reading this book for a good base to start on. I'm a person who has to take notes on what I read in order to remember for quizzes, tests, or future references. At the end of the book, I had a total of five pages, due to all the interesting information given to me in my reading. Anyhow, I started out with an open mind although it was hard to do when Clarke began writing about the place in which the story was taking place. It was hard to get into, but I soon took interest. There are many confusing names and time changes. It was hard to imagine the time frame, considering the book was copyrighted in 1953. When I first read about the Overlords, I was somewhat frightened. I realize it was all make believe, and it shouldn't be too scary. I had to keep reminding myself of this, because most of the things that occurred would be devastating to me and the rest of the world, for that matter. At first I thought the Overlords were terrible monsters waiting to destroy our planet, but in the end, it turns out they are ruled by a master also. They took a turn and I became somewhat sympathetic to their position. My favorite part of the book involved George and Jean and their Overlord experiences. Keep their story in mind, because it's probably the most intriguing. I'm planning on reading more science fiction stories this summer due to my English assignment of reading Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke.

Rating:
Summary: Personally this is not one of my favorite books.
Review: I gave the book a little below average because of not comprehanding it right away. There were so many characters they were hard to keep them all seperate from each other. The time lapse was also another thing that confused me. First we the Overlords, then we meet Stromgren and Wainwright and then they die. It's like each chapter there's a whole new set of characters! I mean to me this book was too far out there. My personal opinion of Science Fiction that I don't care for it. I think if you do get into Science Fiction this would probably be a good book, because a lot of my fellow peers liked it. Personally it's a matter of whether you like Science Fiction or not. I give Arthur C. Clarke credit for the many books he wrote, but this book to me was a waste of 2 weeks. My experience with Science Fiction is also very little, but I know enough to never read this book or any other Sci-fi books again.

Rating:
Summary: Childhood's End was an enjoyable book.
Review: This book was my first Science fiction read, and I was slightly surprised I liked it as much as I did. I didn't think I would have ever picked it to read on my own, but for my English class it was good. I thought the most interesting part of the book was the people's reactions to the Overlords. It was fascinating to see how Clarke portrayed different characters and their reactions. At the end, he did this less, and switched to more of a "scientific" mode. Yes, I know that is what science fiction is about for those of you who think I am being naive. Also, it was amazing that Clarke wrote this book in the 1950's with so much insight to technology and space travel. I won't spoil the end, but it was kind of depressing for me because all the things I personally care about were gone from Earth. Some of my classmates thought the book ended on a positive, but I just didn't see it that way. All in all, I enjoyed the book but don't think I would reread it. I would like to see a movie made about this book because it would interesting to see how a producer and director would do this movie. So I recommend this book to all that like science fiction and those of you who don't, try it, you may be surprised.

Rating:
Summary: interesting plot, unfulfilling ending.
Review: I enjoyed the futuristic content of this book. I enjoyed the descriptions of various Overlord equipment, and thought it was unique how easily it was incorporated into human life. The flying cars brought a typical advanced touch to the book, and since they are featured in many other futuristic sci-fi novels, helped me to get the touch for the environment. I thought that the Ouji board type apparatus featured at Rupert Boy's party also helped me to relate to the events occurring in the story. One overall quality I enjoyed immensely of the book, was the fact that they did not give away a lot of information, and left many questions unanswered. Due to this quality, I, as the reader, wished to continue in reading so that I might unveil in the mysteries I became intrigued with. Despite my enjoyment in this characteristic, I was extremely disturbed with the ending. I felt that the secrets would have had more value, if the ending would have satiated their hungry questions. To me, the ending left so many loose endings. I do not understand the short lived chapters on the evolution of the homo sapiens race, and the significance of this to the events occurring throughout the book.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad.
Review: Good example of thought-inducing science fiction. Clarke makes the reader contemplate the implications of a true utopian society. Can mankind fully appreciate the rewards of the altruistic Overlords, a race that has come to save humans from self-destruction? Can mankind submit to a rule whose real motives are unknown? The only complaint is the focus on insignificant matters, such as the relationship between Russia and the United States's space program heads in the beginning of the novel. But this is common in science fiction and to be expected. I enjoyed the book, a rare feat for a book to accomplish.

Rating:
Summary: Exceedingly profound; has possible and probable thoughts.
Review: As a non-science fiction reader, I began reading the book as a drudgery. I felt like I didn't relate to any of the topics and I felt the author had no talent for prose. However, as I began to get past my lackadaisical gripes, I found the book to be very intriguing. I would very much like to read the book again. The plot seemed to move slowly at first, but I found the reading much quicker and easily comprehendable once general information and exposition was passed. I liked the book, not because it was science fiction, but because of its fanciful realism.

Rating:
Summary: Made This Child Think!
Review: I read this book back in the late 50's when only a young girl of 10 out of boredum one day. It is a story that has stayed with me forever and until today, I could not find the book again. The thrill and fear that book left with me is what started me on a quest to never stop questioning.

Rating:
Summary: A great book.
Review: This book is one of the best science fiction books that I've ever read. It was really cool how the author took something that we're all fimilar with and turned it into something that takes on a whole new meaning. Who would have thought that time could turn itself around so that the thing (or person) that we connect with evil is present in our thoughs hundreds of years before we actually see them. This is a great book to read if you are in the mood for thinking and not overly religious.