My review of my second book of the year, by Arthur C. Clarke. A sci-fi futuristic utopia where Humanity thrives under the rule of an alien race with mysterious motives.
Childhoodâs End, by Arthur C. Clarke, is a book about the fate of humanity after they make contact with a benevolent alien race, that helps them reach a Golden Age of progress and peace. Rating: âââââ
What if aliens invaded the planet, but they actually helped us build a utopia? Why?
Compared to the previous two books I read, that also deal with Humanity making contact with alien life. Childhoodâs End takes place in Earth itself, in a time where humans are barely getting started in the space race, and right when theyâre about to take their first steps, they realize they already lostâthey are not alone.
These aliens, known as the Overlords, do not come to cause havoc, but they seem to want to help us. They end war, they end animal cruelty, they end racism, divisions and countries. They intend to help humanity achieve a united planet, a World State, a seemingly perfect society, a Utopia.
How this is done, and the events that develop in the novel, are something that I think you should simply read, it flies by, really quickly. The ideas displayed here are really, really interesting. For a book published in 1953, maybe the most aged thingâthat is quite charming stillâis how TV and radio are the main way information is delivered to people.
The commentary on humanity, consummerism, religion, racism, art, transportation, education, work, politics, and many other topics regarding Earth and how it lives its life under the guidance of the Overlords, is simply super interesting. I had never read a novel by Clarke, but I can see why he remains relevant to this day.
The ideas on display, about humanity, about alien life, about spaceâand beyond. They are just incredible. The novel was full of moments where I could not believe what I was reading, every time I turned my page there was something happening that only raised the mystery behind the Overlordâs true form, their true motives, the consequences of humanity living in a constant state of peace. The novel is not the longest Iâve read by any means, but its content is really thought-provoking and it just makes you question the things we take for granted even today.
I would dare say it is the most quotable book Iâve read in ages, the statements, the events, those last few chapters. I wasnât worried about the stakes at hand, I could not even comprehend, I could not even grasp what happened, I could not even get mad. I could only read.
I am so glad I went into this blind. Simply a great book.
It is a bitter thought, but you must face it. The planets you may one day possess. But the stars are not for Man.
These past few months, the amount of posts in this website reviewing books or videogames and things has risen quite a bit, so I just wrote a bit about that.
