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winwaed t1_iy8rrvy wrote

Reply to comment by jlnxr in Childhood’s End Appreciation by SterlingR3d

The 'golden era' authors all got huge book advances in the 1980s to persuade them to write books. Quality suffers (see Asimov's later Foundation books). Imho 2010 was the last decent book Clarke wrote. Of course most of those later books were collaborations and it seems he discussed ideas with the co-author but did little more.

I wouldn't have classed Fountains of Paradise as a true masterpiece but it is >30 years since I last read it. Perhaps time for a re-read (my opinion of Songs of Distant Earth improved with a re-read).

I definitely agree with your last paragraph- Childhood's End increasingly stands out as his best book.

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knnn t1_iy979sb wrote

Do you mean 2010? I am not aware of any book by Clarke named 2020.

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winwaed t1_iy97eo2 wrote

Yes 2010 - damn phone typo! (Fixed)

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jlnxr t1_iyaervq wrote

> I wouldn't have classed Fountains of Paradise as a true masterpiece but it is >30 years

I enjoyed it but it has been ~10 years for me so perhaps I am also due for a re-read.

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