If aliens would come to Earth to unify the human race and teach us how to create better technologies, would they be doing this for us or for them?
Childhood’s End was written by the British author Arthur C. Clarke, a legend amongst the science fiction writing community. The book was first published in 1953 by Ballantine Books and was an instant hit. Childhood’s End became Clarke’s first successful novel as it received good critics and sold out on its original print. This book is most likely one of the first blueprints for many alien invasion books and movies.
Synopsis:
Upon the arrival of the Overlords spaceships over every city of Earth, humankind is faced with some unusual invaders. The Overlords transformed human civilization by ending all wars, curing all diseases, and improved human technologies to the point where working is not required anymore. Humankind is slowly losing its identity while this standardizes utopia is taking over. It’s been many decades since their arrival, but the Overlords still remain secretive about their benevolence and why they are helping humans. Did they truly come to help or do they have a secret agenda?
Praises and critiques:
I will begin by saying that this book exceeded all of my expectations. It is one of those books that you just can’t stop reading and keeps you up way past midnight. Furthermore, the story is highly intriguing and the way the plot unfolds at the end is unexpected. The writing quality is excellent and the book is relatively easy to read. The chapters are long but not too extensive. Overall, the book was a great read. In my opinion, Childhood’s End will always be a staple of science fiction.
Recommendations:
If you are a fan of science fiction, this book is one that needs to be on your ”to-read list”. I don’t think it’s only for sci-fi fans thought, but if you like realistic stories this book is probably not for you.
Quotes from the book:
”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.”
”There were some things that only time could cure. Evil men could be destroyed, but nothing could be done with good men who were deluded.”
”Man’s beliefs were his own affair, so long as they did not interfere with the liberty of others.”
Rating:
I believe that Childhood’s End deserves a rating of five stars out of five because it was a great read that made me fall in love with science fiction genre, also there is the fact that alien invasion plots are one of my favorite themes.
Your enthusiasm shows through in the way you write about this book. What gets me is how some books by certain authors end up being too descriptive, or sometimes just lacks a lot of detail. The fact that you said it is easy to read means I should pick this up myself. The cover sells it in the first instance, and yes, I know a person should never judge a book by a cover, but sometimes I can’t help myself. A good sci-fi covers sells it for me. Your post clearly outlines everything in an orderly fashion and I like that. Yes, when I saw the post on Facebook, I wanted to come look at your review. It is really well written. Looking forward to seeing more reviews in the future.
Thank you very much for your opinion.
Great post! I agree with you! Childhood’s End is certainly a staple of science fiction! Sharing this write up with a few friends 👌
This is a very interesting book topic. I love sci-fi stuff and I love Alien stuff and I believe aliens don’t come here because well, we’re a little bit messed up.
Yes if they would want to take Earth from us all they really need to do would be to wait that we destroy ourselves.
Childhood’s End seems like an interesting book. I’ll buy one for my nephew. I hope he likes it!
Childhood’s End is a really good book. I think that I read it two or three time. Thanks for review brought me back to when I read the book.
I’m definitely into science fiction writing. I will add this to my quarantine reading list.
This sounds like a good one. I love fantasy and sci-fi equally, and I love them for stories like this. Mystery and a force not of this world pulling the strings.
I love your book review!! At times like this I am always looking for a new read so I may give this a go x
i do not follow science fiction much but i am grateful you could share the quotes. i love quotes. i really like this quote especially — ”There were some things that only time could cure. Evil men could be destroyed, but nothing could be done with good men who were deluded.”
Even if it’s fiction its got some powerful messages.
I too love a good alien invasion plot. I love the theme of “Alien races trying to make humankind better” when they wind up taking away what makes us human. This genre is one of my favorites to watch, I need to read more! lol
It’s one of the best alien invasion books. If you give it a try you won’t regret it.
This looks like a really great book. The author is someone I would be interested in too.
This book sounds really interesting. My husband likes to read books in this genre.
This looks like a really intriguing book. I would like to read this for myself I like futuristic stuff like this!
It’s been so long since I’ve heard about the writings of Arthur C. Clarke, who is an acknowledged legend in the sci-fi world. I remember reading his work in school and so many people were fans of his. I don’t remember Childhood’s End though – although the plot you have outlined sounds really intriguing.
I’m not a huge sci fi reader, but my husband is. I’m going to tell him about this one!
so interesting and I always enjoy a good read. While reading is not my thing now because my eyes are getting old, I am switching to Audiobooks. I will give it a try if it has an audiobook available on my app. 🙂 – Knycx Journeying
I absolutely love Clarke and for an avowed atheist, he had a great deal to say about God, and not all of it negative in this book
I absolutely love Clarke and for an avowed atheist, he had a great deal to say about God, and not all of it negative in this book
This looks like such a wonder book. I especially liked the quote ”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.”
Sounds like an interesting read! I love the quote “evil men could be destroyed, but nothing could be done with good men who were deluded”
Hmm, you got me thinking a little more about considering science-fiction. I strongly favour non-fiction books, but I am keen on reading about extraterrestrial scenarios such as this, so this may be the book to get me in.
What an interesting book! And you’ve reviewed it in detail. Awesome job! Will leran more about this book for sure.
Science fictions are always interesting. The creativity in the stories in these books and movies which are made from them are what attracts my attention.Childhood’s End seems very interesting and worth buying
I also love this genre and Childhoods end seems like an interesting read. I will check this out!! <3
This looks like a really good book. I feel like I would spend the whole book being angry with the aliens, though!
I’ve read a few other books by Arthur C. Clarke but not this one, it sounds fascinating. I am definitely adding this on my list of books I want to read.
This sounds really interesting! I am going to check it out.
This looks like an amazing book. Childhood’s End is definitely on my list this year. I cannot wait to read it.
sounds like a really interesting book. i’ll def have to take a look at this.
I’m not into science fiction but my husband is. Even my kid loves SciFi books. You think this book is too much for teenager? I love getting my boys new books.
Yes it would be good for a teenager.
I’ve never read that book before but that sounds interesting. Will definitely try checking it out sometime.
Wow! I was looking for some new books. I am just going to start at the top and work my way down the list.
I really need to read some more Arthur C. Clarke… and a bunch of the other classic SF authors, to be fair. I’ve enjoyed SF when I’ve come across it but I’ve never made much of a proper effort to really get through a lot of it, so I should probably change that!