Synopsis:
Rama is a vast alien spacecraft that enters the Solar System. A perfect cylinder some fifty kilometres long, spinning rapidly, racing through space, Rama is a technological marvel, a mysterious and deeply enigmatic alien artefact.
It is Mankind’s first visitor from the stars and must be investigated … (S.F. Masterworks)
First Encounters of a Cylindrical Kind!
Hurtling through the solar system and reaching perihelion, an alien object sets the stage for one of Arthur C. Clarke’s sci-fi masterpieces.
As a novel focusing on the potential ramifications of humanity’s first contact with alien life, Rendezvous with Rama takes an interesting approach to the genre. Instead of using its page time to showcase humanity’s reaction, it places this in the background in favour of a story focusing on exploring a new and exciting alien environment.
A more descriptive-style novel suites Clarke’s writing to a tee. From the very start, he’s able to contextualise the stakes of the story with a poignant retelling of Earth’s near misses with asteroids. This descriptive style is then brought into full effect as the story moves to explore the spacecraft, Rama.
From the Endeavour’s first entry into the dark and seemingly lifeless ship to its awakening into something between a manufacturing plant and the perfect primordial soup, Clarke succeeds in creating a vivid landscape, completely alien yet completely awe-inspiring. It’s a testament to his skill as a writer that he can take complex ideas, making them both understandable and entertaining to an audience.
Furthermore, these ideas and images are helped by Clarke’s grounded science that holds the foundation of the story together. Both theoretical and applied physics are at play in the novel, helping to provide a sense of realism, which often helps sell a first-contact story.
The Endeavour and Space Bureaucracy
Away from the mighty spectacle that is Rama itself, it is also worth noting the characters laid forth in the novel. Set between the crew of the Endeavour and members of a galactic committee, it is the story’s weakest aspect.
Despite the relatively small cast, few characters are well-developed, and their attitudes have started to show their age. Sexism and stereotyping all come into play, and whilst it doesn’t necessarily detract from the awe of the exploration, it is nevertheless noticeable.
Of the characters that are developed, Commander Norton, The Ambassador of Mercury, and Jimmy Pak are the highlights.
Norton is the Endeavour’s commanding officer; an experienced space pilot, his calm demeanour helps steady the ship and save the crew from sticky situations. Pak is the ship’s most inexperienced member. Throughout the novel, he gets to experience the dangers of Rama first-hand, all of which slowly mould him into a possible commander in the future.
As for the Ambassador of Mercury, he’s a part of the Rama committee and is the living embodiment of his people. His storyline representing the more rash nature of humanity isn’t groundbreaking but is well-written.
Rendezvous with Rama is an excellent example of descriptive storytelling. Focusing on the exploration of Rama gives ample opportunity for Clarke’s vivid imagination to shine through, creating a complex yet awe-inspiring picture of what alien technology might look like.
Despite its age showing a little, there’s plenty to love about this story, and I can see why it’s deserving of the title, a science fiction masterwork.
Rendezvous with Rama
My Rating: 8.5/10
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