| Re: Rama
This whole discussion about the merits of the original work compared with the sequels is fascinating and to some extent I can see both sides, but I have to say I much prefer (indeed love) the original and I can take or leave the sequels.
Sure, the original is sketchy on characterisation and doesn't resolve the mysteries but that is beside the point. Or rather, the lack of resolution of the mysteries IS the point. Whether you agree with this or not is going to depend on whether you like to have all enigmas wrapped up at the end and don't feel comfortable unless you are going to be told "the answers", or whether, like me, you are content to have your mind opened to a strong dose of the "sense of wonder" Clarke does so well...
I personally feel that the first book is much more powerful for leaving Rama unexplained. It's a wierd universe and what makes us think we're going to understand it all? After inducing a frenzy of speculation in the reader almost any kind of "solution" would have disappointed me I think. But the departure of the ship for ports unknown without even noticing the pin prick of the human investigators leaves all speculations intact and a terrific sense of awe and humility. I can't ask for more than that from science fiction and the sequels, not that they are bad books, inevitably degrade the mysteries by making them commonplace. |