
Childhood's End
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy Now for $30.39
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Eric Michael Summerer
-
Robert J. Sawyer - introduction
-
Written by:
-
Arthur C. Clarke
About this listen
But at what cost? With the advent of peace, man ceases to strive for creative greatness, and a malaise settles over the human race. To those who resist, it becomes evident that the Overlords have an agenda of their own.
As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind...or the beginning?
BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction by Hugo Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer, who explains why this novel, written in the 1950s, is still relevant today.
©2001 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2008 Audible, Inc.What the critics say
What listeners say about Childhood's End
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cierenius
- 2021-02-05
fantastic scifi novel
super original story and the performance suits the characters well. I need to go find more Clarke
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Austin
- 2020-08-27
Worth listening to but not breathtaking
To begin with, the narration of the book was pretty good. The narrator sounds a bit overly formal in his speech but you get used to it and overall he did a good job. He does not do a great job with accents however. Throughout the book there are several characters with different European accents and they all sound vaguely similar and not exactly accurate. Still, he makes an effort which is worth something.
For me, the book was very interesting at the beginning and end but drags in the middle. There is a lot of description of what life is like under the Overlords which I found to be unnecessary. There are also some parts of the book which I find hard to believe, mostly in how Clarke thinks humans would behave in the circumstances.
One aspect to be aware of is that based on the way the book is structured from the beginning there is very little suspense. There is no real expectation that things in the book will turn out in radical or unsurprising ways. The book gives the sense of a preordained plot slowly playing out. In this way, the true joy in reading the book is in watching how things play out. The way they play out may not be what the audience expects but it always plays out how the Overlords expect.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and it is certainly a different kind of book compared to something like Rendezvous with Rama.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2018-09-13
Great book
I really enjoyed the story. I wish there was more to explore in this storyline, as there's a lot of unanswered question. if there was a sequel with what happens next, I'd be 100% in.
Definite bonus points for some scientific accuracy mixed in with the scientific fiction.
#Audible1
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- rmack
- 2022-12-31
The Best:
I have heard that some people think this is the best of Authur C. Clarke's science fiction. I've read a number of his books over the years and have to agree with that assessment while not criticizing his other works.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Liam Britt
- 2021-08-31
Best all time
prophetic beyond comprehension, true brilliance unparalleled in the modern era. Huxley's brave new world is completed with Clarke's mysticism and ponderings of the ultimate mystery.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- RICHARD E
- 2018-07-10
Classic Sci Fi
It's been early school years since I read this but it's very refreshing listening to audio. Great book all around.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Phaedie
- 2022-12-12
spoiler alert
I loved this until the music at the end started battling with the narration.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kk
- 2017-10-12
Great 50's Sci Fi Classic
Holds up impressively well
would recommend for anyone looking to get into sci fi books
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alex
- 2022-06-07
Great story, great narration!
One of his best works and it was put together very well. I’ve already listened to it 3 times.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2018-12-28
Terrifying
Definitely slow to start, but hold on - it really builds well.
riveting and terrifying.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!