Childhood's End
Childhood's End
Arthur C. Clarke
Kevin Kelly
This story of a singularity always stuck with me as something to prepare for. - Kevin Kelly
Ben Shapiro
The best science fiction book probably ever. - Ben Shapiro
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Childhood's End

Childhood's End

Arthur C. Clarke
By
Arthur C. Clarke
4.1
7571
ratings on Goodreads

In "Childhood's End," Arthur C. Clarke unfolds a mesmerizing tale set against the backdrop of an Earth transformed by enigmatic alien overseers known as the Overlords. Arriving in their colossal silver ships, they hover silently above the world's greatest cities, imposing a new order that promises an end to war, poverty, and suffering. Clarke masterfully explores the paradox of a utopia bought at the price of humanity's freedom and the mysteries of an alien agenda concealed beneath a veneer of benevolence. As decades pass, the golden age promised by the Overlords begins to reveal its true cost, challenging the very essence of human nature and destiny. Clarke's narrative weaves a complex story of progress and loss, raising profound questions about evolution, freedom, and the future of the human spirit. "Childhood's End" stands as a pinnacle of science fiction, a thought-provoking journey that stretches from the familiar grounds of Earth to the furthest reaches of the cosmos. It is a tale not only of the potential heights of human achievement but also of the unseen perils of a perfect world. Through the lives of its characters, Clarke examines the meaning of humanity's existence and the ultimate fate that may await us under the watchful eyes of a superior intelligence. This novel remains a timeless classic, challenging readers to ponder what it means to reach the end of childhood for a species on the brink of a transformational leap.

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Released
1953
1 Jan
Length
211
Pages

2

recommendations

recommendation

This story of a singularity always stuck with me as something to prepare for. - Kevin Kelly
The best science fiction book probably ever. - Ben Shapiro
No utopia can ever give satisfaction to everyone, all the time. As their material conditions improve, men raise their sights and become discontented with power and possessions that once would have seemed beyond their wildest dreams. And even when the external world has granted all it can, there still remain the searchings of the mind and the longings of the heart.
— Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood's End

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