llLeoll
3/8/2013
Like always with Clarke, the The City and the Stars has a great premise and very clear writing. He can evoke a scene like no other writer in the Classic era of science fiction. But his characters have always, to me, seem flat.
That said, The City and the Stars is a decent book. If it were being written today, I assume it would be considered Young Adult, since it follows the adventures of 20-year-old Alvin. Alvin is born into an eternal, dream-like city billions of years in the future named Diaspa. Unlike the rest of the inhabitants, who have stored their personalities in a cetral computer and have been reborn thousands of times, Alvin is an "Original." which means that this is the first time that his mind has passed through Diaspa.
Without giving away too much detail, the story tells of Alvin's struggles against the overwhelmingly conservative, terror-bound, and non-inquisitive nature of his society. Breaking free from those constraints, he discovers secrets of the past which liberate both himself, Diaspa. And could, perhaps, lead to the ultimate liberation of humanity.
The impression the story left with me was one of flatness. I was thinking about Medieval illuminated pictures of the bible, or early Sanskrit renderings of the Buddha as I read. Flat scenes. All gesture, but no action.
In short, no juice.
But it is enjoyable. And short. So it's got that going for it. But far from my favorite Science Fiction book ever.