THE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE

Written at the height of his powers, Clarke's 1979 novel grabbed the major science fiction awards, including the Hugo and the Nebula. The novel follows the efforts of visionary scientist Vannevar Morgan as he struggles to bring to reality a space elevator that would eliminate the need for costly rocket propulsion to reach the edge of beyond. As in most of Clarke's prose, the characters are oddly disengaging. Fitting right in, Marc Vietor narrates in a friendly fashion about giant leaps in technology, Buddhist conflict with the scientific worlds, apparent miracles, and even alien first contact, but his cordial voice can't find much suspense. The book is full of great ideas, though, and the setting in a clone of Sri Lanka, where Clarke lived, helps considerably. D.R.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2012]