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  • Rendezvous with Rama

  • Rama Series, Book 1
  • By: Arthur C. Clarke
  • Narrated by: Toby Longworth
  • Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (267 ratings)

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Rendezvous with Rama

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Toby Longworth
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Publisher's 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.

©1973 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2013 Audible Ltd

Critic Reviews

“Arthur C. Clarke is awesomely informed about physics and astronomy, and blessed with one of the most astounding imaginations ever encountered in print.” ( New York Times)
“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)

What listeners say about Rendezvous with Rama

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Still Holds Up

This book came out not all that long after we landed on the moon. Yet it still hols up after all these decades. Sure there are a few dated references, but nothing that detracts from the experience.

The narrator does a wonderful job, especially with the accents.

My only issue is why the other books aren't available as the story has hooked me.

If you are into mystery and sci-fi then I recommend this book.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredible, simple yet facinating

it's hard to believe this book is 40+ years old, there is not a single "dated" part in it, every mention of technology is matter of fact and subtle as though it's just part of every day so it doesn't distract from the story in any way.
The story is simple and easy to follow not trying so hard to be impressive or over the top, as if not wanting to distract from the fascination that is at play here the true character of the story that is Rama itself.
The science is great, interesting and accurate making you wonder what it would be like to be witnessing such things and truly wishing you were inside Rama yourself.
I have gone through 197 audiobooks from audible 185 of which are science fiction in the past 2 years (yes I have no life) and I am blown away that the one to have grabbed my undivided attention from start to finish is this classic from before the invention of modern computers, before the invention of the smart phone and dozens of other modern technologies that have sparked our imaginations.
Clark truly was ahead of his time.
If you haven't read this or even if you have read it but not heard this brilliantly read audiobook I can't reccomend enough for you to give it a try.
One last thing...
I'm a space nerd from Brisbane Australia Oceana.. so I felt a special something for the captain in this one 🤣

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic Science Fiction

Excellent story and will always be considered on of the genre's best.

shame about the rest of the series...

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thank you for the rerecording

A long time ago I wanted the audiobook of this childhood favourite of mine. Sadly the previous recording turned me away and I only recently discovered this recording and the fact that all 4 books are now available.
I loved the performance and am moving on to the rest of the series immediately

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  • JT
  • 12-01-2022

Pure Wonderous Exploration

A story of exploration, nothing more, there is no conflict or drama of any kind, but it still had me listen through it in 2 sittings.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great novel, fantastic narration

The dynamism of the narrator’s accents took an already phenomenal story to another level. Highly recommended

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Awesome

Simply an amazing story! I got Audible just so I could listen to this audiobook and I was not disappointed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very well written and narrated.

This was a really really good book. If I had of read this 30 years ago I’d be absolutely blown away.

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One of the classics

A compelling old school hard science fiction classic. Clarke always keeps you in awe. There's an odd sense of anticlimax at the end that leaves you wanting more, and we're left with a lot of questions; but I think that's also the point. Great narration by Toby Longsworth, covers a good range of accents and conveys a profound sense of easy authority that suits a tale from Clarke.

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one of the best

I first read this book about 50 years ago and I still enjoy it. recommended.

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