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Lyn's Reviews > The Fountains of Paradise
The Fountains of Paradise
by
by
First published in 1979, Fountains of Paradise is one of Grandmaster Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s later books, but in its themes and style is reminiscent of some of his best work.
Telling the story of an elevator into space, this also describes a flashback related story thousands of years earlier as a Sri Lankan king builds a palace high on the mountain top. Both celestial projects stretch the limits of human achievement and engineering ability and Clarke’s unique talent ties the two stories together.
Much of the narrative is devoted to explanations of the problems and obstacles to overcome for such a marvel of technology and engineering. Clarke also sets this in the near future and describes other preeminent projects like a bridge across Gibraltar. Essentially, this is a filament tether connecting the mountain top to an orbiting satellite and we can easily transport people and supplies hundreds of kilometers into low space. Clarke’s scientific imagination and vision are again on exhibition. This one also features better characterization than what we usually expect from him.
Recalling his other works Rendezvous with Rama and Childhood's End, this also made me think of Poul Anderson’s 1983 publication Orion Shall Rise.
Good SF, this won both the Hugo and Nebula.
Telling the story of an elevator into space, this also describes a flashback related story thousands of years earlier as a Sri Lankan king builds a palace high on the mountain top. Both celestial projects stretch the limits of human achievement and engineering ability and Clarke’s unique talent ties the two stories together.
Much of the narrative is devoted to explanations of the problems and obstacles to overcome for such a marvel of technology and engineering. Clarke also sets this in the near future and describes other preeminent projects like a bridge across Gibraltar. Essentially, this is a filament tether connecting the mountain top to an orbiting satellite and we can easily transport people and supplies hundreds of kilometers into low space. Clarke’s scientific imagination and vision are again on exhibition. This one also features better characterization than what we usually expect from him.
Recalling his other works Rendezvous with Rama and Childhood's End, this also made me think of Poul Anderson’s 1983 publication Orion Shall Rise.
Good SF, this won both the Hugo and Nebula.
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Reading Progress
August 9, 2018
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Started Reading
August 9, 2018
– Shelved
August 11, 2018
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Finished Reading
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I also enjoyed this book, mostly for the bits that did not have to do with space elevators as my only objection was that it seemed, at times like an infomercial for the encouragement for the actual construction of such a device, even though it probably succeeded in doing so as many designs were cobbled up afterwards by various engineering schools and facilities.
I can see that, thought it was a “great idea “ book
It was and is definitely one of his best works.
Igor