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Requiem for a Giant in Science Fiction

One of the world's great science fiction writers passed away in Sri Lanka. Sir Arthur C. Clarke was one of the great grand masters of science fiction writing of the 20th century along with Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. Like Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke was a scientist who wrote both non-fiction and fiction books about the future.

During World War II, Sir Clarke worked for the British military where he educated himself in several different scientific fields. After the war, he wrote several position papers predicting the development of global communication satellite technology. Throughout his career he continued to write non-fiction books about space travel and exploration.

In the 1940s, he wrote many science fiction short stories that were published around the world. In 1953, he received high acclaim for his novel, Childhood's End. However, it was his collaboration with Stanley Kubrick in writing the screen play (based on one of his short stories) for the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey which cemented his career as a great story teller. After the success of the movie Sir Clarke wrote the novel, 2001: a space odyssey, and followed it up by writing three sequels (2010: odyssey two, 2061: odyssey three, and 3001: the final odyssey) which completed this mysterious journey of mankind to the stars.

In 1972, Sir Clarke continued one of his favorite themes of aliens visiting earth by writing Rendezvous with Rama. His fans felt this book left too many unanswered questions of who these aliens were and where were they heading after they left our solar system, so he wrote three sequels with Gentry Lee titled Rama II, The garden of Rama, and Rama Revealed to explain the mysteries on Rama. Currently, Hollywood is trying to produce Rendezvous with Rama, starring Morgan Freeman (though they are having production problems with the film).

I've placed several of his novels on the display rack in the LMC and you'll find several other titles still on the shelves. So drop by the LMC and checkout these novels by this great master of scientific stories during the month of April.

If you can't find these stories in the LMC then ask Mrs. Snow or Mr. Mohn for help.

 

 

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