The Last Theorem
by Arthur C. Clarke, Frederik Pohl
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Book Reviews of The Last Theorem
Book Review: A sad way to remember Clarke for
Summary: 1 Stars
I picked up this book in great anticipation and I really, really wanted to like this story. I just (painfully) finished this book today, and words to describe my thoughts include "disappointment", "unsatisfactory", and "thoroughly bored". I hope people do not remember Clarke by this piece of work, and I really think this is a total embarrassment to his illustrious writing career.
PLOT: Basically, I grinded through the entire book expecting the author to make his point soon and tie the entire story together. It was a case when I really wanted to put the book down, but felt that the author has a trick up his sleeves on the next page. This never happened. Ideas were raised and not followed up on, which make you wonder why it was mentioned in the first place. It seems like a mix-match of many different ideas without any direction. Some of the plots cooked up by the author also seem ridiculous and quite childish. It's one of those that makes you cringe as you read through it.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Superficial at best. Characters do not have a life and soul, and I never developed any emotional response to any one of them. Attempts at portraying real feelings make me feel like I'm reading the work of a 3rd grade student.
I'm never posted any reviews on amazon before, and I'm wondering why I felt the strong need to write something here. I think it's because I feel betrayed by Clarke.
Don't waste your time on this poorly written and conceived book.
Book Review: Idiot's Guide to Writing Sci-Fi
Summary: 1 Stars
Poor Clarke has been on a downward slide for some time. From the early promising days of Rama and 2001 we have descended to clap trap (the gun destroying thing was THE worst) and repeats and more repeats. Some people just can't quit when they're ahead!
Believe me, this is classic Clarke and Poul and since both are classic sci-fi writers you know pretty well what you get except in this case the product is definitely lacking. There are subplots (the son) that are given time and attention and then dwindle away. There are the usual scientific questions such as Fermi's - "IF they're out there why haven't they come?" Dozens - no, hundreds - of authors and scientists have attempted to come up with a satisfactory answer and so far, few have succeeded like the biologist who declared that we are unique and alone. That is by far the best definition.
Clarke's real problem (and Poul's) is that they are not current on what's "in" with today's science fiction - nanotech, Singularity, virtual reality, biotechnology and robotics. Clarke is a certified engineer and in a way, he has always written like one. His characters have a somewhat pedantic quality and indeed, characterization is the weakest element in his writing. Poul, too, is a classic writer - space ships, aliens, war and the like. It's not the subject matter or the writing that's old (but instead, the ideas are dated. My advice - get one of the older books and enjoy a good read.
My grade - D-
Book Review: A Book of Firsts and Lasts
Summary: 5 Stars
Sir Arthur C. Clarke went out with a bang through the work drafted for "The Last Theorem." How wonderful to have a (formerly unprecedented) collaboration with Frederik Pohl, not only to ensure the work was completed, but the effect of these two masters' of science fiction is of a quality that will inspire and entertain while it brings in enough science and math to stimulate any curious mind.
Interwoven around the Indian family of Ranjit and Myra, echoes of "Space Odessy" novels abound with exploration into new areas of space travel (the space elevator is elaborated upon, for example). The couple's daughter mirrors the way Dave was a conduit for alien communication. Counterbalancing sports with political scenarios - yet having both working on ways to get the human race to look beyond their countries' boundaries - was presented well.
For me, presenting numerous hopeful (future and present) possibilities while teaching the importance of math, communication, and the perseverance of the human spirit is carried delightfully well through this story. I enjoyed learning about Sri Lanka, Clarke's homebase, through his eyes and words. Knowing that this is his final composition, and that it was completed by his long-time friend and colleague, makes it even more special. We are taken from Fermat's Last Theorem to the beginning of a new era.
Book Review: Disapponted
Summary: 1 Stars
The story starts of as being very interesting but lacks cohesiveness as it develops. A number of interesting sub-plots are never fully developed. For example it seems that Ranjit's son though disabled has some extraordinary abilities but these are never developed. The Grand Galactics biology is never explained and it is never explained what development mankind makes that the Grand galactics are so ready to quit and transfer the job of galactic governance to the human race.
I got a distinctly anti-American sentiment throughout the book. Towards the end, the US Government and its President are portrayed as a bully. I thought that this was a little out of place in a science fiction work whether or not you think the US Government are "good" guys or bullies.
Since the protagonist was a Number Theorist, I was expecting some connection with the beauty of Number Theory with the way the Grand Galactic and other advanced aliens think, but this was never developed.
I was not sure of why the sub-plot of Ranjit's capture by pirates and his torture was introduced other than that he developed the Fermat's Conjecture proof under the duress of torture and captivity.
All in all Last Theorem is disappointing as Arthur C Clarke's "Last Book."
Book Review: The Last of the Old Wine
Summary: 4 Stars
Having read some of the other reviews I have to agree, both Clarke and Pohl revisit some their perennial themes. In the case of Clarke its that of ancient intelligences watching in puzzlement over a humanity on the brink of either extinction or adulthood; with Pohl its his fascination with the "Machine Stored" and the decay of other non-human civilizations. There was some novelty in terms of Clarke's examination of 21st century Sri Lanka though the eyes of his protagonist the largely self taught mathematician Ranjit Subramainian but both Clarke and Pohl have mined the same vein before, in Clarke's 2001/Childhood's End and for Pohl in the HeeChee Gateway series.
Its not the best that either have done but it was an enjoyable read like spending an afternoon meeting with old and dear friends, with the foreknowledge that this may be their last time. There are a couple of mathematical parlour tricks and one gets the sense of the drive and joy of pure mathematics in the pursuit of a solution to Fermat's Theorem that, unlike Wiles proof, would use the tools available to Fermat himself, or pure applied science in the subplot concerning the space elevator.
I rather liked it. Recommended.