The Fountains of Paradise

By: Arthur C. Clarke

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Vannemar Morgan's dream is to link Earth to the stars with the greatest engineering feat of all time: a 24,000-mile-high space elevator. But first he must solve a million technical, political, and economic problems while allaying the wrath of God. For the only possible site on the planet for Morgans Orbital Tower is the monastery atop the Sacred Mountain of Sri Kanda.©1953 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1980
• Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1980

Another Arthur C. Clarke classic

Personally, I feel what makes any audio book, movie, or show great is its ability to pull you into the story and hold your attention. Perhaps also in its ability to enlighten, or help take away from one's problems for a little while.

I find most of Clark's stories to be able to do this quite well. 2001 may be his most famous work, but I much prefer stories like Rendezvous with Rama, and this one. It's not that there's anything terribly exciting or adventurous, but more-so organically descriptive. Clarke always has a good balance of character and plot. In this book, he stays evenly on-point with a steady plot direction (unlike King), which I enjoy. The conservative narration is soothing, never annoying. Some may think all this boring, but I find it relaxing, like either watching an interesting scientific documentary, or just letting it play in the background while dosing off.

The neutral gender articulation is also very nice. Nothing more annoying than over-articulate male vs female narration.

Overall, it's an easy listen, and forms nice imagery. As with most Clarke novels, it's an enjoyable meld of Earthly culture and scifi.

Human Obstacles

Technical, political and social obstacles obstruct a dream. These are overcome and the dream becomes reality...and a basis for further Arthur C. Clarke novels. This book is more about the obstacles and human foibles than the sci-fi. If you like that, you'll like the book.

slow start but a great story that still holds up.

interesting mixture of religious myths and technology. a little too much religious fiction at the start

science based science fiction

This book feels like it is rooted in what is possible. It is an excellent story about humanity.

Clark At His Best

Here is a sci-fi story that will not disappoint. It builds slowly, but the prelude to the "real story" is important, so just enjoy and be patient- the story is well written beginning to end.