Being a Science-Fiction author is not an easy thing (and I know that because I have tried). Being counted as one of the greats in Sci-Fi genre, indeed any genre is definitely not a matter everyone can achieve (incidentally, does anyone remember Jules Verne now?). Sir Arthur C. Clarke (16 December 1917 – 19 March 2008 ) deservedly was such an author.
At the cost of sounding comic, even facetious, I must say I am not the greatest fan of Arthur C. Clarke (those who have read will remember my comments in “My Top 5 Sci-Fi series“). My introduction to non-Indian sci-fi was Jules Verne translations. At the age I started reading English literature, and specifically, English Sci-Fi, I thought the novels by Clarke, like 2001, too “contemporary”. I was more hooked by the futuristic visions of Asimov (and I continue to be an Asimov fan till date).
I liked “Rama” not for the sci-fi content, but for the end, the deeper meaning I now realize would be the main point in the story. I liked his short stories more than Rama, or Odessy series.
Everybody sci-fi fan has read (or at least heard about) “The Sentinel“. But even his other short stories like “Jupiter Five” (and how a technical point thwarts the plans of a greedy person), “The Possessed“, “Time’s Arrow” etc. continue to be among my favourites. Although Clarke did not get his heart’s desire of knowing about sentient alien life, I am sure that stories like “Trouble with Natives“, “Rescue Party” will still live with us for a long time. Which is why, authors like Arthur C. Clarke will continue to live on.
Because other authors show us dreams and fantasies, while great science fiction sets us goals.
–Fleiger
Quote of The Day:
The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.
– Arthur C. Clarke, “Technology and the Future” (Clarke’s second law)
Sir Arthur’s best for me would be his short story – The Star.
As a Sri Lankan I can definitely say he was well loved by everyone here. We all miss him. I miss him.
@Dili: It always comes to me as a shock when I realise that the authors I like have a life outside their books, even though I am well aware that Clarke worked in WW II, Asimov was a prof. So I must say, it was nice to hear about Clarke as a Sri Lankan from you 😀
I don’t really remember “The Star”. But I do remember (and like) “Jupiter Five” and “Time’s Arrow”. And as I mentioned, I liked Rama because of the ending, as most of other novels in the genre are so human-centric.
😦
Somebody’s going ’round finishing off all my favourite authors. The ones still alive- and doesn’t that sound morbid? Terry Pratchett’s going under with dementia, Robert Jordan has been eliminated and Arthur C. Clarke….
@Princess: That doesn’t sound morbid, it sounds paranoid 😉
But yes, I know what you mean. It is hard to realise that you won’t get a new book from an author now 😦
Majority of people I know said that they liked his short stories better than novels. Are you also a part of that majority?
[…] 7, 2008 by Amey In memory of Sir Arthur C. Clarke, I would like to introduce you to one of the first sci-fi novels I have ever read, […]