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Rendezvous with Rama
- Rama Series, Book 1
- Narrated by: Toby Longworth
- Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
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Rendezvous with Rama
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Summary
This audiobook was re-recorded with a new narrator, and the new product uploaded on 25th June 2014. Please note that written reviews prior to that date refer to a different narrator.
Winner of the 1973 Nebula and BSFA Awards and the 1974 Hugo, Campbell, and Locus Awards.
At first, only a few things are known about the celestial object that astronomers dub Rama. It is huge, weighing more than 10 trillion tons. And it is hurtling through the solar system at inconceivable speed.
Then a space probe confirms the unthinkable: Rama is no natural object. It is, incredibly, an interstellar spacecraft. Space explorers and planet-bound scientists alike prepare for mankind's first encounter with alien intelligence. It will kindle their wildest dreams...and fan their darkest fears. For no one knows who the Ramans are or why they have come. And now the moment of rendezvous awaits - just behind a Raman airlock door.
Bonus Audio: Includes an exclusive introduction by Hugo Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer, who explains why Rendezvous with Rama will make the listener ‘feel both humbled and exhilarated at the same time’.
Arthur C. Clarke was born in Minehead in 1917. During the Second World War he served as an RAF radar instructor, rising to the rank of Flight-Lieutenant. After the war he won a BSc in physics and mathematics with first class honours from King's College, London.
One of the most respected of all science-fiction writers, he also won Kalinga Prize, The Aviation Space-Writers' Prize and The Westinghouse Science Writing Prize. He shared an Oscar nomination with Stanley Kubrick for the screenplay of 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was based on his story, 'The Sentinel'. He lived in Sri Lanka from 1956 until his death in 2008.
Critic reviews
“Arthur C. Clarke is one of the truly prophetic figures of the space age ... The colossus of science fiction.” ( New Yorker)
“Quite memorable and at times magical… We glimpse our own future in this technological artifact - a future as magical as it is mysterious.” (Brian W Aldiss)
“For many readers Arthur C. Clarke is the very personification of science fiction.” ( The Encyclopaedia of Science Fiction)
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What listeners say about Rendezvous with Rama
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shug
- 22-08-17
Why isn't this classic a movie yet?
Brilliant story, a SciFi classic that is rooted in real science. Arthur C Clarke was a master storyteller.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Jamie
- 24-08-17
Rendezvous with an OK book
Is there anything you would change about this book?
I read this directly after finishing 2001 by Clarke (which was amazing). For me, this wasn't quite as good and if I could change something, I would look for more interaction between the characters and more dialogue.
Would you recommend Rendezvous with Rama to your friends? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend Rendezvous to any SciFi reader/listener.
What about Toby Longworth’s performance did you like?
Toby's narration was ok, but the tone of voice was at times a little flat and monotone, which was a bit of shame.
Do you think Rendezvous with Rama needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
I think it would probably be better left to the imagination of the reader, rather than having a sequel - of which I know there are 3! All the reviews I have read of the second book are largely negative, suggesting that not only is that book not very strong but has also spoiled their recollection of the first book as well. So I probably won't read the sequels.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Simon
- 14-11-17
One of Sci-fi's Greatest Imaginations
I approached this as a bit of nostalgia, re-visiting my youth when Clarke, Asimov, EE Doc Smith and company fed a young imagination and literally fuelled many of my dreams. Of course it does sound a little dated, this was written in the 70s so that's inevitable. I couldn't help but smile as the spaceship captain asked "who is on the switchboard?".
However, I think this one stands the test of time rather better than a lot of classic sci-fi. Mostly, the age of the story is not intrusive but the excellent inventiveness and masterful story-telling both come to the fore. It's still a very enjoyable tale and unlike many I liked the way that it ended leaving things so open. That actually led to a full and much lengthier series but it was originally designed to be a stand-alone novel. I think you can take it either way but for those that like things tied up neatly at the end will be embarking on a series not just one book.
The narration by Toby Longworth is decent, his character voices are good but in the narrative text he can sound a little languid compared to some other narrators.
So, whether you like a good story or fancy re-visiting an old sci-fi classic this relatively short burst of Arthur C Clarke is well worth considering.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steve WK
- 28-02-21
classic sci-fi at its best
One of Arthur C Clarke's best and timeless classics. As always the levels of thought that goes into scientific accuracy is high with science that goes not age with time.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Forestwalker
- 17-05-21
Interesting but somewhat dated now.
Having read Rama and Rama II in my teens I decided to relive old memories courtesy of Audible. The story was as interesting as it was 40+ years ago however the passing of time has thrown up a few anolomies to do with the state of the planet and a few other areas. In these days of advanced SciFi the story may appear almost nieve in its simplicity and observations but therein lies the beauty. Like a warm bath Rendezvous With Rama is relaxing and comforting.
The narration is just right with some vaguely familiar accents which had me looking up who the person was on IMDB.
Well deserving of the title "classic" or maybe "of its time".
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- RC
- 13-09-17
I might be missing something but story seems a bit contrived
Well written to a point. a hyper spinning asteroid? I might have missed how people could go any where near a hyper spinning asteroid planet. Apart from that not bad. Overall pretty good. Decent narration by the new narrator. This is my first listen through so I might of missed the explanation.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR N FURZE
- 19-09-18
Loved it.
One of Clarkes best stories. I've read it and listened to it many times. I think its probably even better listening for the first time as you won't know the ending.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael W.
- 29-11-18
brilliant
I've seen this book pop up on my recommendations for a while now and decided to just go for it . it was a great story and very well narrated
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- bish bash..
- 26-06-22
A story, which very recently, nearly came true.
Toby, if he isn't, sounds very Australian, but I suppose in the stories period he could well be.
I preffered it when I read it, back in 1974.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Pauline A. Hayward
- 23-07-23
Rendezvous with Rama
Very enjoyable listen. Roll on the next book in the series. Excellent. Our future?
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