Customer Reviews
A feel-good doomsday scenario 
2008-06-07
I have read many of the latter works by Clarke, and I find them imaginative, intelligent and thought-provoking. So when I turned my attention to some of his early works, Childhood's End came very highly recommended, and I'm glad to say it lives up to almost all its high praise.
Though presented as a novel, this could easily be three short stories, dealing with three different subjects: contact, utopia and apocalypse. In fact, the book is divided into three parts, which are bound together by a century of life on Earth following humanity's first contact with an alien race called the Overlords. The first two parts are vintage Clarke: a chilling and suspenseful depiction of first encounter laced with clues that will keep any reader guessing at just what might come next and who are these "benevolent" Overlords. The second part describes a utopia that for all intents and purposes has humanity feeling content with itself. As with all utopias in science fiction, we know what to expect next... and do we ever get it.
[Spoilers]
However it is here that the story takes a strange and anti-climatic twist. In short, all that was obtained by the grace of the Overlords, all of mankind's population, and even the Earth itself is entirely eradicated simply to fuel the next evolutionary step for humanity. On one end Clarke, stresses the fact that humans are quite insignificant and not "meant of the stars" and yet just a few pages later mankind's offspring can gobble up their home planet while undergoing their ascendance to the next plane of existence. Not only has this evolutionary step no biological basis, but it is heavily steeped with religious and paranormal implication, the first of which were summarily denied in the first part of the book by the Overlords. Despite all the hints and clues that Clarke purposefully scatters throughout the book about the Overlords, their appearance, and their true intentions, in the end it is humans themselves who inevitably destroy everything; not because of misguided intentions or horrendous mistakes, but simply to fulfill their destiny. The author heavily emphasizes that this is a good way to go, but I find many logical pitfalls in this conclusion. Besides the ones listed above, another glaring one is the destruction of the Earth and all its life, which could have produced other species that eventually become capable of reaching this much-desired enlightenment that humans attained. Clarke gets most of these problems sorted out by his later works, but Childhood's End, while being very imaginative is very raw and heavily influenced by the general outlook and political mind-set of its decade.
A classic worthy of reading? Certainly.
But a masterpiece?...not quite.
Wow 
2008-05-31
This is an amazing, shocking book. Like 2001 the movie(and it's inspiration-Clarke's story "The Sentinel"), man encounters alien civilization in a way that is far more fascinating and original than the typical invasion story. I don't won't to say too much. That could ruin the story. This might be the best science fiction book(and one of the best in general) I have ever read. The only slight problem I see is that traces of anachronism are presented in the book-originally published in the 50's. Clark tried to update it a bit 40 years later, but some of the age still shows. That is only a minor concern. The story is so powerful and excellent that one little dirt speck can't ruin its overall luster
One Of Clarke's Best 2008-05-16
Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - 2008) is one of the masters of the genre of Science Fiction from its golden age. Though undoubtedly best known for "2001: A Space Odyssey", there are numerous other works of his which should be on every fan of science fiction's reading list. "Childhood's End" is one of those books. This book deals with concepts such as the utopian society, individuality, a `hive mind", and much more. This novel grew out of a short story titled "Guardian Angel" which was published in 1950 ("Famous Fantastic Mysteries"). The original novel was written in February through December of 1952 and was published on August 24th of 1953 by Ballentine. The text which I am reviewing includes a new chapter (or prolog) which was added in 1990, replacing the original.
When "Childhood's End" was first published, it included a disclaimer "The opinions expressed in this book are not those of the author". Though certainly an odd statement, it did have its purpose as Clarke explains in his introduction. After publishing "The Exploration of Space" he felt that people would be confused by a book expressing the idea that "The stars are not meant for man" which is not only in opposition to the book he had just published, but in many ways is the opposite of most of his works which express an opinion in that area.
The story is told in three parts. The first section is titled "Earth and the Overlords". The original prolog had the United States and the Soviet Union both on the verge of creating nuclear powered spaceships for space exploration venture when a fleet of alien spaceships appear over all the major cities of the world. Reinhold is the main scientist for the U.S., and Konrad Schneider is the USSR's lead scientist. The new prolog replaces that with Earth starting the 21st century by proclaiming it the Century of the Solar System with mankind on the verge of visiting the other planets when the Overlord fleet arrives.
The story then picks up five years down the road, with the overlords firmly in control of Earth, but with people becoming more and more restless about the still unseen Overlords and specifically the Supervisor, Karellen. Secretary General Stormgren is the only one who has even been able to talk to the Overlords, as he meets with Karellen on the Overlords' ship, but he sits in a room with what he thinks is a view screen and is only allowed to talk to Karellen. When his time as Secretary General is coming to an end, Stormgren is kidnapped and finds that he has been used as bait by Karellen to find the leaders of those who are opposed to Earth allowing the Overlords to control humanity. Stormgren then comes up with his own plot, to find out what the Overlords look like, with or without their permission.
The second section is titled "The Golden Age" and starts with the Overlords allowing at last humanity to see what they look like. This is also the golden age on Earth. Humanity has evolved and put aside many of its prejudices and superstitions and with the help of the Overlords has attained new heights in almost every scientific area. This is man's second shot at the paradise. Will man be cast out of the Garden of Eden again? This time the apple is the exploration of the stars, and Adam is in the form of Jan Rodricks, who learns the location of the Overlords home star, and attempts to stowaway on one of their ships to find out more about their home world and the Overlords themselves. Clarke borrows from the story of Jonah and the whale in this story, to add to some of the biblical allusions.
The last section is titled "The Last Generation", and this section reveals the Overlords real purpose, which is to guard over and guide the evolution of man into what mankind will evolve into. It is also revealed that the Overlords themselves are fated to advance no further. The message for the rest of humanity is not so wonderful though, as they are fated to be the last generation. Their entire purpose was to be the caterpillar for the butterfly that is to be man's evolution. There are theological motifs played out as well, for what are the Angels (Overlords) in relation to humanity? Mankind was made in the image of God, while the Angels are the servants. Jan Rodricks returns to Earth and do to time dilation and the psychological effects on the world, he is alone as the last human in existence, able to observe the Overlords observing what man has become.
This novel has many thinking points. Is it better to be a member of a species which will evolve, but your own species is but a stepping stone to that higher level, or to be a member of a species which is stagnant, force to watch and serve those who are more advanced? Clearly Clarke prefers the latter, but there is a certain sadness to know that all that one accomplishes is meaningless with the exception of one's descendents. There is also the question of what the real fate is of humanity's child, does it really partner with the Overlords master as they say? How would they really know? This is science fiction at its best, an engaging story which keeps the reader thinking while reading as well as after finishing.
You will think about ideas in this book long after you finish it 2008-05-12
Arthur C. Clarke was a master of science fiction and Childhood's End shows it.
This book will leave you thinking about heavy concepts long after you finish it.
I highly recommend this book.
--Guy P. Harrison, author of 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God
I also recommend:
Greetings, Carbon-Based Bipeds!: Collected Essays, 1934-1998
Foundation (Foundation Novels)
Brilliant 2008-04-20
I actually bought this the day ACC died, and what a legacy this man left behind. This novel actually adresses racial issues. For it's time, I'm impressed with the ethnic diversity represented here. I love a book that gets me thinking, and this is no exception. What happens when an alien race solves all of humanities problems, or so we think? Unless you're getting this book for a short plane ride or a trip to the beach, your money might be better spent getting this as part of a Clarke collection, because it's so short...a mere 212 pages. An interesting fact I didn't realize about this book was the influence it had on the V television series, which I hear is coming back to film or TV after 20 years of obscurity (Part II). This novel is fascinating, keeping in mind this was originally published in 1953.
Very good read...Sad ending... 2008-04-08
Without warning, giant silver ships from deep space appear in the skies above every major city on Earth. Manned by the Overlords, in fifty years, they eliminate ignorance, disease, and poverty. Then this golden age ends--and then the age of Mankind begins....
One of the Best Sci-Fi books EVER 2008-03-28
Childhood's End is the best work of the late great Arthur C. Clarke. It has been enjoyed in my family for three generations now. If you want a great read...this is it.
One of the Greatest Classics 2008-03-19
This book is one of the greatest classic and most influential works that I have ever read. Not only that, it is also the most prophetic novel as it seemed to reveal the culture to which we now live: a new generation being absorbed to a greatest extent in the worlds of cyberspace and mass media where we might as well be under the control of the extraterrestrial intelligence. This is certainly a book that cannot be put down, as I would surly recommend it.
I won't bring here a spoiler, but to say that this book will certainly leave you as uncertain as well wanting to know more and also not knowing what outcome will be. It is very easy to read and relatively a short book. I was quite amazed at the fact that this book was written over a half a century ago because I felt this book is very relevant today as it was then. It is both terrifying and most certainly an eye-opening read.
Recently, the author Arthur Clarke has passed away and he will greatly be missed. His works and legacy has the greatest impact on the modern culture. His classic works, especially "Childhood's End" and 2001: A Space Odyssey are highly memorable.
Excellent read 2008-03-10
Great book, loved the characters and the approach to the story was original. One of Arthur's best; recommend for utopian novel fans.
the aliens are not benevolent 2008-03-08
-- REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS --
The story starts with alien ships flying into the Earth's atmosphere and parking themselves over the major cities of the world. The ships remain over the cities doing nothing, just waiting and letting the poor, scared humans running around like rats. Then, they announce themselves via radio. They don't show themselves -- they just communicate. The United Nations Secretary-General is the only contact between the aliens, actually one alien, and humanity. The meeting occurs in a room in one of the space ships. This one lonely human never sees the alien, but the alien sees him through what turns out to be a two-way mirror.
The story progresses with the aliens ending war, animal cruelty, bigotry, etc. The the human race has entered a golden age -- but the aliens still do not reveal themselves. The head alien promises they will reveal themselves in 50 years. At this point, one of the characters observes that in 50 years humanity will have forgotten all about freedom and only remember the *good* new days.
Fifty years pass, humanity has peace and prosperity. Now the day has come for the aliens to reveal themselves. On that day all the ships that have existed over all the cities disappear, except for one. It turns out all the ships, except for that one, were projections -- fakes. A small ship comes from the mother ships and lands. The door opens and out steps an alien with wings, a tail with a diamond shaped end and horns. Some people faint -- they have seen the devil, or what appears to be the devil.
The story continues. People now accept the Overlords, as the aliens are called. The Overlords move freely among us humans. They talk to us, help us, lend us their tools, and -- they study us. The Overlords are mental giants compare to humans. They control nature as humans could or would never have been able to control.
One night at a party, attended by both Overlords and humans, a Ouija games starts. People are asking questions and the Ouija board is answering. One of the humans, a physicist, asks a question -- where do the Overlords come from? The answer is something like, NGC blah, blah, blah. Meaningless gibberish to the average human, but to our hero the physicist, it's an astronomer's catalog entry pointing to a star. The physicist does not understand the source, a woman in a trance playing with a Oiuja board, but he does know what it means. He has knowledge and intends to use it.
Our physicist hero manages to stowaway on an Overlord ship and actually travels to one their planets. The Overlord home world, or better, an outpost, is 40 light-years away. This means that because the Overlord ship travels near the speed of light and time *slows* down on the ship relative to Earth, the physicist has only aged a few months, but more than 40 years have passed on Earth. When our hero returns to Earth after another few month journey for him, but another 40 years back home on Earth, he finds a world that is almost dead.
The Overlords reveal to the physicist their real mission -- to prepare the human species, the children really, to take the next step in *their* evolution. However, this is a lie. The Overlords came to Earth to prevent humanity from developing psychic powers (suspension of disbelief is required here). Unchecked, humanity would have spread like a cancer among the stars the Overlords say. So they stopped us. They gave us what we wanted most, what we craved -- peace and contentment, and they waited for the real master to show up.
The children begin to change. They start losing their personalities, they lie around doing nothing. Their little personalities are lost. The older children take longer since they have more memories. Babies are lost almost immediately -- but to what? The reason is a galactic mind, the Overmind as the Overlords call it. The Overmind absorbs races, only certains races. The race's children slowly lose their individuality and become part of a larger hive mind. This takes decades to happen. In the end nothing is left of the individual minds, just a group mind which becomes part of the larger Overmind.
While this so-call evolution occurs, humanity dies. Without children, there is no future. Humanity and society collapses into chaos and dies. By the time the physcist returns to earth only the children are left, living in Australia separated from the rest of the planet. At this point, one of the Overlords makes the statement that he would have put the remaining humans out their misery, but it was not what they do. How nice.
The Overlords, even with all their technology and representing the ultimate in individuality, are trapped. They cannot take the final step to join the Overmind. They lack the psychic component that allows humans to take this step. The Overmind, even with all it's power, still needs the Overlords to prepare species for the final step, the step to individual oblivion, but galactic consciousness.
In the end, our physicist hero stays on earth as it is destroyed during the final step as the now *evolved* children transform into pure mind. The Overlords continue trying to learn why they cannot take the final step and hoping to free themselves or join of the Overmind.
The Overlords are really the ultimate hyprocrites. They destroy entire races, billions of lives, so the Overmind can absorb the children. As they do the Overmind's dirty work, the Overlords sit there and pity themselves -- envious of a trip they cannot make. Other species are sacrificed and die so the Overlords can study the Overmind. How interesting -- the Overlords put a complete end to all animal cruelty on Earth (a bull fight has a very interesting result), but they, the Overlords, are guilty of the ultimate *animal* cruelty -- destroying entire *lower* races for the benefit of a galactic parasite.
The story is one of Arther C. Clarkes best. In my opinion, far better than 2001.
