Rendezvous with Rama.

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Arthur C. Clarke: Rendezvous with Rama. (2003, Macmillan Publrs.)

112 pages

English language

Published Nov. 8, 2003 by Macmillan Publrs..

ISBN:
978-0-333-99969-1
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A simplified version of a novel by Arthur C. Clarke. In the year 2131, a fast-moving object is detected heading for Earth. Not a dead lump of rock but a huge hollow cylinder spinning along a planned trajectory. Who or what built "Rama" and why?.

31 editions

Exploring an alien spaceship

This book is fascinating. It's very much a hallmark of it's time, with a few astronomical inconsistencies now that we know better, but that doesn't detract from it. At it heart, it's about exploring a fascinating space ship from an alien civilization. You, alongside the characters, are left wondering at Rama's purpose, it's inhabitants, and how everything works. The joy of discovery is a central theme for this book. I may not remember the characters or points of the plot years from now, but I will remember Rama.

For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2025/02/book-review-rendezvous-with-rama-by.html

helps to know the sequels are worse

A promising opening of mysterious object and dry elder academic panel bickering.... oh don't let this be just a cool exploration of the physical properties of this space... in space... with bonus tangential misogyny... oh, the physical properties and some cold-war-commentary at least accelerate... pity for the futuristic anachronisms, 1973 feels closer to Jules Verne than to us.

I'd rate it 50/50...

... that is, it's 50% description of a docking maneuver, and 50% setup for an exciting book.

I guess that makes it one of those books you should read once, but I didn't manage to enjoy it much.

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