Childhood's End

By: Arthur C. Clarke

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer, Robert J. Sawyer - introduction

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The Overlords appeared suddenly over every city - intellectually, technologically, and militarily superior to humankind. Benevolent, they made few demands: unify earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. With little rebellion, humankind agreed, and a golden age began.

But at what cost? With the advent of peace, man ceases to strive for creative greatness, and a malaise settles over the human race. To those who resist, it becomes evident that the Overlords have an agenda of their own.

As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind...or the beginning?

BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction by Hugo Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer, who explains why this novel, written in the 1950s, is still relevant today.

©2001 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In Eric Summerer's capable hands, the plot of Childhood's End is smoothly presented and fully credible. He highlights the patient nature of the Overlords, which has caused humans to become ever more complacent. Summerer excels at delivering the aliens' quiet and intensely engaging dialogue with people. His nuanced performance creates a growing feeling of uneasiness in the listener as the Overlords' insatiable curiosity and watchfulness begin to suggest something less than benign at work." ( AudioFile)

peak sci-fi

must read classic sci-fi. excellent performance by the reader. this title is definitely worth the credit

Wow

That was very unexpected! I loved it! I had no idea where this was going to take things and I really enjoy the choices… Even though this is an old classic, it surprised and delighted me!

Spellbinding

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended this book to several friends. It is a story of what might happen to the Human race in the future. It captivated me.

What other book might you compare Childhood's End to and why?

I have no other to compare it too. It stands alone.

What does Eric Michael Summerer and Robert J. Sawyer (Introduction) bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The audiobook really brought this story alive to me. Each character was represented well by the narrator.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me cry as I imagined every thing that was happening in the story, really happing on earth.

Any additional comments?

Buy the book, I would not think twice. It will transport you to a future on earth, that could happen.

Why can't all sci-fi be this good

The zeitgeist of the 50s wonderfully comes through in this splendid novel, man is our own worst enemy and we need a higher power to safe ourselves from nuclear annihilation.

There are a couple of wonderful things about this book. You can read many different interpretations into this book. One possible reading is that we create our own god(s) and the universe becomes self aware through us (I like Ray Kurzweil books!), or you can read something else into what the story means. It's up to the listener.

Overall, the book is a really intelligent look at what 1950s thinking thought we would become. I'm amazed in a lot of ways we have progressed even more than what was predicted by such an intelligent thinker as Arthur C Clark.

The book is not dated whatsoever (what a compliment to the author). It's narrated splendidly.

Childhood's End to 1950's Optimisim

Most Clarke fans have read this at least once. I wanted to revisit it in audio format and quite happy that I did.

The 50's were a dichotomy of absolute fear of nuclear annihilation and hope of meeting others beyond our solar system. The thought was, "Yes mankind is totally screwed and we will all die, but in just a little time some nice all knowing alien race will save us from ourselves. This is 90% of Childhood's End.

The end of the story is a bit of a twist, but you have heard the first part often. This might sound like this book is nothing but 1950's drivel, but that would be incorrect. Mr. Clarke spins a futuristic yarn better than any other during his time. The characters and story come across as real and plausible despite their fantastic nature.

If you have never read this or have you should get this. It really is a treat.

Just a Great, Great SF Novel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to anybody! One of the greatest SF stories of all time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I hate to give the story away, because it does have some twists and turns, but the Overlords turn out to be very distinctive characters that I grew fond of and came to have great empathy toward.

Have you listened to any of Eric Michael Summerer and Robert J. Sawyer (Introduction) ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but the narration was fantastic, couldn't say enough about the way it was done, just great.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No too long....which is a good thing!

Any additional comments?

As an older reader returning to the genre I decided to revisit the classics. Audible does a great job and I am really enjoying my return to the classics of SF. This book is a cornerstone of the New Wave Era of SF and if you are thinking about reading it don't miss it. Fantastic!

Mind Opening

I am over 50 and have been reading sci fi since I was 15, however I somehow missed reading anything by AC Clarke. Even at my mature age and even with the "datdeness" of some aspects of this story, it blew me away! Written at the beginning of the cold war, it is very preminiscient of social things to come and also very relevant to current world issues. What if all human issues (crime, hatred, lack of money, lack of education) were suddenly solved? What if being human was just a means to a great end but you have to give up what you know and value to achieve it? Lots of questions about what humans need and want and strive for and then a big punch in the gut about how that stuff is nothing compared to the universe. Makes you really think!

Sci Fi Tale Where Humanity Meets the Sublime

A quick listen and powerful message, this is a story that will leave you both emotionally shaken and intellectually awakened. An entertaining read that can only be compared to the Foundation series or Dune for the gravity with which it treats man's fate in the universe. A fine read for new and veteran Sci Fi fans alike.

Sci-Fi at its BEST

If you could sum up Childhood's End in three words, what would they be?

Intelligent, Riveting, and PROFOUND

Who was your favorite character and why?

Karellen is an incredible character to listen to, primarily because he is [obviously] just a manifestation of Arthur C. Clarke. Yet the wisdom he provides the listener is always so precisely calculated that it incurs a thought process about the potential state of humanity if we, too, had such intellect within reach.

A classic that holds up.

After more than 60 years since its publication, Childhood's End still delivers strong entertainment and a sense of awe. Obviously, since its ideas have been copied many times in books and film, the impact may be somewhat lessened. Modern readers may be less patient with Clarke's world and character building. Though the initial event takes place immediately at the start of the book, the actual purpose of the book does not start unfolding for some time, and the major event is reserved for the last third of the novel. Except for a slight lag in the middle it remains interesting throughout. And the final scenes are both thought-provoking and surprisingly emotional.