Fantastically imaginative, Clarke at his best
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This is a glorious book from one of the greatest storytellers in sci-fi. Diaspar is totally controlled by machines to create a very happy but controlled environment for mankind to live in. But the same machines also hold Diaspar's deepest and most profound secrets. No one has ever even thought to question Diaspar's strange origin and unlock it's secrets, until now. You can see how this book has gone on to influence much sci-fi, most notably films like The Matrix, that seems to borrow heavily from this book, from the machine-controlled world that hides it's motives from mankind, right down the 'machine city' that Alvin eventually visits. This is probably the best book in the Masterworks series.
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Very enjoyable and highly recommended
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Arthur C Clarke was one of the best Scifi writers ever, and this is one of his finest books (that I have read).
Well written, accessible science and a good plot. It is one of those books that you can race through because it is so well written.
Highly recommended.
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Classic in every sense
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It's one of the best examples of what sci-fi should be: all about man, society, destiny, technology, big ideas, but most of all the individual's drive to push further and go beyond our fears. Completely brilliant.
I found some other Clarke to be boring, but this one hits the centre of exactly what I picture as golden-age sci-fi, and it hasn't aged at all. Exciting, awe-inspiring - it's probably his best book, and is definitely in my all-time top 10.
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a must read
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This is my favorite c. clarke book. the plot is great years in to the future looking at what the human race has done. follows the life of one man and his journey to leave his home to find other life on earth. amazing read. gets you thinking. a must read for everybody
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Interesting book on mind and man-made limitations
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I really enjoyed this novel. Clarke paints the portrait of a possible future where man is stuck - again - in a mesh of conventions and taboos. Of course, man had willingly exchanged his freedom against the bliss of eternal life, comfort and security... just as we have been doing for the last 10'000 years of our own history. Fortunately, mind is bigger than the need for certainty, and mankind will be saved eventually by thinking out of the box. Lastly, it is amazing how Clarke anticipates virtual reality in 1956 alread, a good 30 years before the first PC was marketed. I won't say more and confine myself to simply recommending the book.
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