Earthlight

by Arthur C. Clarke

Book Overview

This classic work of science fiction by the Hugo and Nebula Award winner has been unavailable for years--but is now back in print in a new trade edition.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345338316
• ISBN13: 9780345338310
• Release Date: April 1986
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Length: 30 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.4" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

A little known early gem of Arthur C. Clarke

This is one of my all time favorite Arthur C. Clarke books. Published in 1955, Earthlight is a practically unknown work in Clarke's massive canon. The minimalistic plot flourishes in the ultra-realistic society of the Moon. There are three elements that make this work stand out. 1. The Plot. An accountant is sent from Earth to the moon as a spy to root out a spy who is leaking information about Earth's goals to leach the moon of minerals Earth greatly needs. The background is the tension between the outer colonies and earth (something explored in length in MANY well known classics to come, Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is the first to come to mind). Clarke manages to maintain the tension throughout. I really like the external quality of the plot - the main characters have little influence on the main events but rather have their own secret tensions between each other. This forms a ultra-realistic feeling and immerses you in Clarke's world. 2. The Descriptions. Since the accountant has never been to the moon the scientists at the observatory make a point to describe and explain the workings of the colony on the moon in great length. Again, adding to the ultra-realistic tone of the work. Likewise, since Sadler is sent to investigate the inner workings of everyone at the observatory, Clarke describes the more minute activities associated with Moon life which can be very interesting. 3. The external Events/backdrop. The battle at the end is immensely detailed (although the main characters are not directly involved). The tension results in a immense climax but like in many wars the end is not clear as both sides sense some sort futility in the endeavor. Again, the results of the battle do not deal directly with the main characters but rather their own struggles and eventual outcomes is a microcosm of the greater interplanetary events. Arther C. Clarke manages to develop, in a dense 155 pages, a ultra-realistic future with realistic characters (perhaps slightly one-dimensional - but then again Clarke is not known for his characterizations), a compelling backdrop, and ultra-realistic day to day events. A top notch effort, sadly, unknown to most sci-fi readers.

Realistic, hard-hitting speculation about future conflict.

This is a very fine novel by Clarke even if some of the science is now out-of-date. The novel is set several centuries in the future. There are essentially two "nations" remaining, Earth (which includes the Moon) and the Triplanetary Federation, which encompasses Mars, Venus, and some of the outer satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. The issue is that in this novel Earth controls most of the solar system's supply of heavy metals e.g. titanium, high-grade iron ore, etc. Therein lies the conflict.After several centuries of peace, the possibility of war once again looms. Clarke creates the atmosphere for this masterfully.The story is told from the perspective of an intelligence agent sent from Earth on a counterintelligence mission on the Moon. The storyline does not move at a breakneck pace by any means. Rather, the story moves in a leisurely fashion that gives the reader a fascinating look at what a Moon colony might one day be like. Despite this, the book moves to a climactic ending that is startling and absorbing. This book is an excellent read.This is a book that might have been made into a movie. Clarke is one of the giants of science fiction. Highly recommended.

An excellent science fiction novel.

Clarke is famous for using a fictional premise as a vehicle for discussing scientific ideas, and rightly so. His ideas are so interesting, and his explanations are so clear that no one minds if the story sometimes takes a back seat to the science. In _Earthlight_, a secret agent visits the lunar colony to find the spy leaking classified material to Earth's other colonies. Clarke uses this premise to explore two main ideas: what life in an established lunar colony would be like, and how a conflict between Earth and her colonies might arise.Clarke's description of a 200-year-old colony is fascinating. His discussions of the problems created by the hostile lunar environment, and his solutions to them, are clear and interesting. What was surprising to me is that these descriptions, written almost 50 years ago, haven't really dated. There are some anachronisms; all communications are auditory, for example - television wasn't forseen, much less the Internet. But the majority of the ideas are as plausible and compelling as when they were written.The development of the conflict between the Earth and the Federation of colonies is somewhat less successful. The main reason for the conflict - competition for limited resources - rings true, and Clarke captures the feeling of life during a time of political tension leading to conflict. However, his descriptions of events and motivations feel a little too simple for what we'd expect to be a complex political situation. The concluding battle, employing highly speculative science, is a jarring contrast to the earlier, reasoned discussions of the science behind the lunar colony.These are nitpicks, however. _Earthlight_ succeeds in the ways most important to Clarke and to his readers. If you're familiar with Clarke's other work, I think you'll enjoy this novel. If you haven't read Clarke before, this novel is a fine introduction, although you would do equally well with his better-known works.

One of Clarkes Best!

In my opinion, this is easily the best thing Clarke has ever written. It is a little shorter than I would have liked, but its depiction of an interplanetary conflict between old mother Earth and the confederation of once upon a time "colony" planets is very well done. Although interisting and quirky characterizations are not among the reasons this book is good, it does discuss the nature and future of humanity itself, and explores this ambitious theme better than any other author I know of can. The battle at the end between the forces of Earth and the Confederation I thought was very well done. The speculation of the kinds of weapons that would be used were much more realistic or detailed than Star Wars or even other reputable science fiction authors such as Asimov or Heinlein. Definitely a book worth reading for any sci-fi fan.

Excellent!

Easily one of the best novels of its kind ever written. Clarke's scientific accuracy, combined with his abillity to enthrall all his readers made this book one of the best sci-fi novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading.