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Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee - Rama II

sparkchaser

sparkchaser

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Rama II is the sequel to Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke always maintained that the final sentence in Rendezvous with Rama

The Ramans do everything in threes.
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was not to imply a sequel but there ended up being three sequels. He probbaly should have stopped with Rendezvous.

Rama II takes place 70 years after the events in Rendezvous. Following the original Rama flyby and exploration, Earth enjoyed a surge in commercialism and growth followed by a devastating economic depression that essentially left the world technologically stagnant. When Rama II is detected, mankind is once again exploring space and assembles a team of 12 individuals to explore the giant craft. Rama II is more about exploring the characters' motivations and secrets than it is about describing the wonders held within Rama.

I wasn't completely disappointed with the story but I was left the feeling of "is that all?" that I had after I finished the third book in Orson Scott Card's Ender series. I know I probably should not read the next two books: Garden of Rama and Rama Revealed but my need for closure will end up compelling me to read them.

:star2:
 
I first read Rendezvous with Rama years ago, and liked it a lot - a great story, mysterious, compelling and eerie.

By contrast, I found Rama II to be a load of soap-opera junk. It was so bad, I wonder whether it was actually all by Gentry Lee, and Clarke's name was there to entice readers. I gave up on it halfway through, and haven't read the later sequels. I have re-read the original Rama, though, and it's still just as good.
 
Soap opera is a good way to describe it. I agree with your thoughts about how much Lee wrote versus Clarke.
 
I agree with the review, to be honest I don't think any of Clarke's sequels really work with the possible (and I do mean just possible) exception of 2010. He excelled at capturing mystery and wonder, the sequels explain that mystery and in the process lose it.

Rendevous with Rama I loved, I was excited to see the sequel but like you was disappointed, I agree with your rating and I agree with domani's comments also.

I wouldn't recommend reading on, I did, they decline in quality.
 
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