Childhood's End

Still a classic of visionary science fiction

The last time I read this book was when it was assigned to my English class in eighth grade, and it was a pleasure to come back to as an adult and re-experience the same emotions I did back then. This is science fiction about the wonder and awe of discovery, the bittersweetness of letting go of the primitive past, and the ultimate destiny of the human race. It's not a dystopian or cautionary tale, as so much science fiction, but a book about what it means for our species to reach adulthood -- and a sacrifice that that may one day demand of us.

The story begins, in classic form, with the visitation of beings from the stars. The Overlords arrive on Cold War-era Earth in immense, silver starships, and immediately establish themselves as vastly superior, but benevolent masters. Yet, they refuse to reveal themselves in person (at least not right away) or explain their ultimate purposes. Here, one might guess, as some characters do, at sinister intentions.

But, nothing so crude comes to pass, and Clarke proceeds to a new generation of characters, as the Overlords usher in a new era of peace and worldwide prosperity for the human race. Not to mention a certain amount of ennui and loss of purpose, as mankind finds that most of its traditional problems are solved. Yet, a few people continue to puzzle over the mysteries about the Overlords and chafe against the restrictions they still impose. What are the reasons? Several intrepid explorers begin to find out.

The writing is simple and unadorned, and the characters not particularly complex in their construction (not to mention a bit 1950s), but there's a subtle eloquence to the way the story unfolds, each stage in the human race's progress revealing a little more about the fate that must eventually come. And Clarke's writing is still a pleasure to read for its vision, its thoughtful ideas about the forms that different alien races might take, the capabilities of advanced technology, and how human society might continue to function when the primary need is that of avoiding boredom. Though a few assumptions are showing their age (newspapers, radio), much of this 1953 story still speaks to the 21st century. Clarke continues to remind us of how little we know about what's out there in the universe, or how limited our evolution has been compared to what's possible.

Read it, if you haven't yet. Or read it again. Childhood's End is one of the works that sets the template for great science fiction, and will likely still contain meaning for new readers in fifty years.

4.5 stars.

43 people found this helpful

Food for Thought

Great dialogue and deeply-drawn characters were never Arthur C. Clarke's strengths. Instead, what makes him an all-time great are his IDEAS. And CHILDHOOD'S END is as good a novel of ideas as sci-fi has seen. The story is somewhat simplistic: a powerful alien race descends upon Earth and dominates the peoples of the planet, ostensibly for their own good. Earth, essentially, accedes to the Overlords - and a Golden Age ensues. But Man's ultimate fate is not necessarily the one we'd choose for ourselves. This was an especially resonant theme for the 1950's, when the Nazi threat of WWII was a fresh experience - and the Cold War loomed. But it's no less urgent a message for today.

The book does take a while to get going, and the latter half is far more satisfying and better written. (Thankfully, Eric Michael Summerer's narration more than makes up for the sluggish pace early on.) If some of the characterizations and technology seem archaic, that's actually perfectly consistent with the story - after all, the immediate impact of the Overlords' rule is that Mankind stops advancing - technologically, artistically and spiritually. The world of the future remains the world of the 1950's.

In a contemporary author's hands, the same story would be told with more elegant prose. But the ideas are as fresh as ever - and CHILDHOOD'S END gave me much to think about.

58 people found this helpful

WOW

It is amazing that in his time, Clarke could imagine such awesome events. While hard to follow the details at times, they are important to the story, and fill in the blanks as you go along. Eric and Robert keep you drenched in the story, and wanting more.

The end is unexpected, but nicely tied up!

15 people found this helpful

Bittersweet... Mind boggling.... Eye opening....

I just finished listening this book, did so under the request of a friend of mine. This is a sci-fi classic and with this being my first sci-fi novel really I must say I am impressed of course but... to say this is bittersweet is an understatement if you ask me.

The narration is not super great but it is adequate enough. I found it a bit laughable when he tries to voice the children but he was able to describe the feeling well enough. His tone and voice is poignant enough to keep your attention, It could have been better, but it could have been worse of course.

The word I would use most to speak about the story itself is... bittersweet. While listening to the book I was intrigued all the way, which speaks well of both the story and the narration but as the book closed I started getting a bit... saddened as to how I saw it ending. I won't ruin the story for anyone but you will understand when you get there. It does have some very interesting points, makes one truly wonder about the fate of humanity in a sense and I must confess I remember having my own theories regarding alien existence which is akin to this... but I does end on a bit of a sad note if you ask me.

For my first sci-fi novel, it really does a good job to me about representing the genre, I will say out-right though that this might not be my cup of tea, but it was well done. Decent narration, great concept story-wise but a bittersweet ending.

36 people found this helpful

Childhood's End-what a great listen! Thx Clarke

Where does Childhood's End rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my 1st audio book & loved it 40+ yrs ago & still love it now. It is even better the 2nd time around. Due to arthritis I had stopped reading as much as I use to & had trepidations about using Audible. At first I kept falling asleep during the reading (probably due to medications) but then I figured out how to just listen to a section at a time unless I was able to sit at the computer on my good days. This was also helpful allowing me to listen to larger sections w/out falling asleep. My falling asleep does not mean that this book was boring, it was anything but, Well, after a bit I was totally into the book as if I were reading it myself.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Childhood's End?

Can't say bcz it would give away one of the book's surprises/shocks.

Have you listened to any of Eric Michael Summerer and Robert J. Sawyer (Introduction) ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not bcz this is my 1st Audible book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Only extreme reaction I had was curiosity and shock. Curiosity drove me from one chapter to the next & shock came more than once but especially near/at the end. However, if you have never read the book before there will definitely be more than one shock. The shock came at the end for me bcz I did not remember the ending from 40+ yrs ago but I did remember another shocking moment very clearly & every time I heard Arthur C Clark's name, I remembered that shocking moment. There were other instances when I remembered that shocking moment. But if I tell you what those instances were, it would give away one of the surprises and or shocks in the book.

Any additional comments?

The story is as marvelous as it was before. I swear Arthur C Clarke has the best imagination ever. You start w/the usual alien invasion but there is nothing usual after that. Clarke keeps you hanging in there wondering what, why, how, etc. at every step. If you like violence (so called action), faeries, vampires, etc., this is not the book for you. If you like cerebral mysteries like Poirot, Agatha Christie, etc, you will be totally engrossed in this best of the best sci-fi novel. Listen to it now! Use as a read for your book club-it will give you a whole lot to talk about. This is science fiction at its best! Remember, listen to it as soon as you can! Your intellect needs it, trust me. This book is like manna from heaven and listening to it w/out having to deal w/a book in your hand makes it so easy to enjoy.

28 people found this helpful

My all time favorite book

After seeing and loving the movie "2001" in the 70's, I began to read Clarke exclusively. This one turned out to be his best and I've reread it many times over the years. The sheer imagination of this story took me on a journey I'll never forget. I was thrilled when it came out as a new selection at Audible and the production is great. If there's ever a time like "Fahrenheit 451" this will absolutely be the book I'll memorize.

23 people found this helpful

One of the best SF novels ever.

Readers unfamiliar with the early great works of science-fiction may fail to grasp the significance of this novel. It towers alongside H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds as the best of the alien invasion genre. So many lesser writers and movie producers have borrowed heavily from Arthur C. Clarke's rich narrative and deep insight into human existence. But let none be deceived: here is the pure source - a marvel from one of the SF masters. This is a very good reading as well and overall a truly enjoyable listening experience.

23 people found this helpful

Fascinating look at the upheaval of alien contact

Although it is amusing hearing references to some of the outdated technology (the advance ETs communicate through cutting edge teletype machines!), those are only minor quibbles in a very unique and interesting story. The arrival of a far more powerful and intelligent extraterrestrial race is handled in a way I have never heard before. It was refreshing for an advance species to arrive, bring peace on Earth, and... not secretly be waiting to eat us all, but honestly helping us!

Having the story play out over generations also conveys the massive impact and societal change this has in a believable and well explored manner. You know they are thinking long term when they say more or less, "We need to wait until only those born after our arrival are around to reveal that." I could definitely see a lot of other stories told in the generations that this novel covers.

The only thing holding it back in my mind is that the main thrust of the story that leads to a very dramatic conclusion kind of came out of nowhere for me. Even a hint earlier than half way through might have helped. It didn't ruin it for me, but given the world the first half sets up, there was a definite point that stretched my suspension of disbelief beyond what I expected. But the story was fascinating enough that I just went with it and was glad I did. That shift was pretty jarring at first, however. If you can't roll with it, then I imagine the ending has got to be a disappointing "What the-?!"

The narration is very good, but compared to some of the amazing narration some stories have on Audible, it's not to that level. So if I can only give 5 stars to those, this has to settle for 4. Some narrations are so great, that they really enhance the story. This narration is one of those that instead manages to nicely get out of the way and let the story speak for itself.

7 people found this helpful

Next-dimension-y

This book is a good example of the drive toward making sci-fi more abstract (not sure if that's the right word -maybe "next-dimension-y" is better) and out-there around the late sixties. This book doesn't have one set of main characters that one could follow from start to end. Instead the story is told through a few sets of characters spread over a period of a hundred years. And, the plot moves along to a fantastic, mind-bendingly abstract / next-dimension-y sort of finish.

This is just my second Arthur Clark novel. I read "2001: A Space Oddity" first. This novel was one of the author's first and, in the view of some, his best. Personally, I liked 2001 better. I did not find the characters in this novel all that engaging, even though the overarching story was really quite good.

I'd still recommend this novel to sci-fi fans as a neat story and worth their time.

I've read it's being made into a miniseries to be released in December 2015. The story is good, so hopefully the miniseries does it justice and makes the characters more likable to boot.

6 people found this helpful

Enjoyable, Classic, old fashioned Eutopia Sci-fi

A sweet reminder of Old fashioned somewhat philosophical Sci-fi - men encountering superior outer space beings and questioning their own existance.

A bit simplistic, but considering the decade in which it was written, it's a real beauty.

15 people found this helpful