Childhoods end is a thoughtful novel examining society containing a bit of a mystery concerning the overlords and their intentions for the world. Childhoods end is not as well known but is a strong book with good science fiction concepts and hints of mysticism, exactly the combination that made 2001 worth endless midnight discussions. The story follows the peaceful alien invasion1 of earth by the mysterious overlords, whose arrival begins decades of apparent utopia under indirect alien rule, at the cost of human identity and culture. Childhood s end is not as well known but is a strong book with good science fiction concepts and hints of mysticism, exactly the combination that made 2001 worth endless midnight discussions. As i write the tv adaptation of childhood s end is being promoted by the cable channel syfy goddam silly name. Childhoods end by arthur c clarke, first edition abebooks. Childhoods end is a novel following a peaceful alien invasion of earth. He was asking me what was up at del rey, and i mentioned 3001. Clarkes childhoods end, to be really thought provoking and amazingly prescient. Final odyssey a couple of years ago, at the national television syndication convention, i was chatting with stan lee of marvel comics. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Childhood s end is often regarded as clarke s best novel and the themes of transcendent evolution are present in his later works, including the screenplay for 2001.
Spaceships appear over earth s major cities one day. Can it possibly be true that our only future options as a species are annihilation either by allout war or at the capricious hands of some ineffable higher power. Mar 30, 2020 childhood s end by clarke, arthur c book description ny. It is about reflecting on both our past and our future, and. Rather than do something stupid like, say, blow up all the cities because theyre intergalactic bullies, the alien visitors a. For the first time in his career, clarke became known as a novelist. Im not sure childhoods end is the first book my dad gave me, but it was one of the first, and its. The plot is logical and follows a great progression, but the characters often behave in very strange ways and are often incredibly incurious and passive about incredible things. Clarke, a scifi classic and one of the most memorable books i have ever read. Published by the science fiction book club, london 1955. This study guide consists of approximately 40 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of childhood s end.
See a complete list of the characters in childhoods end and indepth analyses of the overlords, karellen, george greggson, jan rodricks, and the overmind. Phillips, vincent difate, stanislaw fernandes, gerard quinn and many more. Childhood s end is a science fiction great, featuring over arching story lines starting in the past and ending in the future. The story follows the peaceful alien invasion of earth by the mysterious overlords, whose arrival begins decades of apparent utopia under indirect alien rule, at the cost of human identity and culture. Childhoods end is one of the defining legacies of arthur c. Book club edition, but there has never been an edition approaching the. Its dominating theme of transcendent evolution appears in many of clarke s later works, including the space odyssey series. Bound in leather, sewn signatures, gilded page edges, hubbed spine, stamped gold embossed covers. Originally published in 1953, childhood s end is clarke s first successful noveland is considered a classic of science fiction literature. Mass market paperback published in 1987, kindle edition published in 2012, kindle edition published in 2012, paperba. Decades later, clarke was preparing a new edition of childhood s end after the story had become dated. Ballantine convinced clarke to let them publish childhoods end first, and it was published in august 1953, with a cover designed by american science fiction illustrator richard m.
Have a look at this retrospective gallery of amazing hardback, mass market paperback and special book club editions of clarkes childhoods. In 2004, the book was nominated for the retro hugo award for best novel. Clarkes 1953 science fiction novel childhoods end, which deals with deep and difficult themes about humanity, and what ultimately makes. There are some pacing issues and characterization is not explored, but those aspects are not why you read a book like childhoods end. Clarke collection kindle edition by clarke, arthur c download it. Celebrate syfys childhoods end with 60 years of classic.
My partner and i read this book one after another, creating our own miniature book club. The tale of how this unfolds is what makes childhoods end such a. Childhoods end by arthur c clarke and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Childhoods end by clarke, arthur c book description ny. Childhood s end is a novel following a peaceful alien invasion of earth. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. A space odyssey and many other groundbreaking works. Clarkeboth fiction and nonfictionhave more than one. Several reproductions of covers of older editions of the book. Book club edition hardcover with dustjacket this book is in excellent condition. Clarke reissued with a bright retro design to celebrate pans 70th anniversary. Clarke childhoods end 1953 harcourt brace book club edition h.
Childhoods end project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Dec 14, 2015 have a look at this retrospective gallery of amazing hardback, mass market paperback and special book club editions of clarkes childhoods end spanning nearly seven decades, packed with 21 midexpanding covers from famous pulp and scifi artists, including richard m. Yes, there have been several editions over the years including, but not limited to, a special edition from easton press, an entry in the meritorious gollancz masterworks series and even a recent science fiction book club edition, but there has never been an edition approaching the care and craftsmanship of this new volume from centipede press. One of the authors best and most certainly a highspot in any science fiction collection.
Childhoods end first appeared in paperback and hardcover editions, with the paperback as the primary edition, an unusual approach for the 1950s. The overlords appeared suddenly over every cityintellectually. Aliens arrive on earth and they look sort of familiar to many humans. Childhood s end is a book that perhaps, in all honesty, overreaches. Since its publication in 1953, this prescient novel about first contact gone wrong has come to be regarded not only as a science fiction classic but as a literary thriller of the highest order. Clarke s idea for the book began with his short story.
Childhoods end isnt exactly a cheery affair, but from what i understand the book isnt really either. Childhood s end was a very good science fiction novel, certainly worthy of all the praise it has received and which eventually landed it upon my shelves. Celebrate syfys childhoods end with 60 years of classic book covers. I pull no punches on the subject of books controversial ending, so consider. Book club edition hardcover with dustjacket this book is in. Childhoods end kindle edition published november 30th 2012 by rosettabooks arthur c.
Clarke include childhoods end, the ghost from the grand banksthe deep range, 2001. At the beginning of childhoods end the world is on the verge of another world war, with the superpower nations still engaged in an arms race. If you create a free account and sign in, you will be able to customize what is displayed. Childhoods end by arthur c clarke, signed abebooks.
Suddenly the aliens show up and put a stop to all that and other human destructive tendencies, they also eliminate crime, poverty, hunger, and even cruelty to animals. One day, one of the overlords comes out of the ship, and their intentions become clear i wont spoil it, but their long game isnt exactly friendly. Syfy is the first to take a visual stab at arthur c. The first edition thus, being the first edition of these three stories published in one volume. Childhood s end first appeared in paperback and hardcover editions, with the paperback as the primary edition, an unusual approach for the 1950s. These are the most recent 10 blog posts about childhoods end in. The plot lines span multiple generations allowing you to really experience the story s effects as it progresses.
Childhood s end tells the story of a peaceful alien invasion of earth, leading to many years of apparent utopia at the cost of human identity and culture. Larry clark the perfect childhood 1st edition hc dj 1993. Childhood s end by arthur c clarke, easton press, interior illustrations by richard powers reproduces the original ballantine cover art. Given how much i like this book i will probably watch it but before i do i want to reread the source material first, as its been decades since i last read it. Clarke, childhood s end offers a fascinating look at an alien invasion in which the other lifeforms didnt come to earth for malicious reasons at all, but. Final odyssey, as well as the new mass market edition wed just done of childhoods end. One of clarkes most famous novels, and considered by many to be one of his b. Childhood s end is a 1953 science fiction novel by the british author arthur c. Centipede press 1st1st signed book collectors edition. For fans of grim, thoughtful science fiction or arthur c. One of clarke s most famous novels, and considered by many to be one of his b. Comparecontrast the rise and fall of the island of new athens to the greek empire of the same name. Arthur clarke doesnt try to explain why things work in his world, he simply writes that it does work.
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