Rama II: The Sequel to Rendezvous with Rama

At first when I found out that the book wasn't written by Clarke, I had my doubts. However, after reading Clarke's foreword, I became hopeful that it would be a good story. After completing the book I can highly recommend it, and I'm looking forward to reading the last two books in the series.

Read this after reading the original Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, one of the top 3 all-time sci-fi writers. Supposedly this was co-authored by Clarke and Gentry Lee, but notice Clarke's name is prominently on the cover. Lee is much more expository and, IMO, far less capable of painting a vivid, evocative and poetic picture than Clarke can with just a few words and sentences. This is but one notable difference between an acknowledged master of the craft and those who can merely plug away at it. So I was pretty disappointed at first, expecting more Clarke and less Lee. In fact, Clarke may have merely passed editorial review and plot ideas on to Lee, sort of like an "executive director" for a movie, rather than involved with the nuts and bolts. However once I got past all the exposition and into the sci-fi, it sort of grew on me. And of course the cliff-hanger at the end which made me order the sequel, Garden of Rama. In short, it's an OK to good read but probably not something memorable enough to keep in your library and read again, after fondly recalling the pleasure you got out of it the first time

In the long-awaited sequel to Rendezvous With Rama, a second Rama spacecraft is spotted entering our solar system several decades after the first Rama craft made it's entry and subsequent escape. This time, humanity being somewhat more prepared, is able to intercept the Raman craft with plenty of time to explore it's mysteries. A crew of 12 cosmonauts, scientists, reporters and researchers are dispatched in two shuttles to penetrate the secrets of the massive alien space craft. Okay, lets start with the bad, and unfortunately, there's a significant amount of that. The biggest issue I had with Rama II was the totally implausible investigation team. A beautiful, backstabbing, cold-as-ice Italian bombshell reporter (who is a borderline psychopath), a scientist who is such an egomaniac that he'd be intolerable as a member of any team, the stereotypical introvert/super genius, a handful of "good guys" who get beaten at every turn and a few "redshirts" for killing off (including a backup reporter - because when you've got a remarkable chance to research a high tech alien vessel with a limited crew, you'd obviously send not one, but two reporters...). The cast of characters proved such a deal breaker for me that the fact that the first two thirds of the book focused on their soap opera exploits and "smart people doing dumb things" misadventures in Rama that I nearly couldn't finish the book. I spent most of my time after the aforementioned egomaniac scientist and psychotic reporter nominally take command of the mission after an "accident" befalls the original commander wondering why someone didn't just knock him on his butt and restore some level of sanity. Saving Rama II from a one or two star review, the later third of the book essentially deals with three of the more likeable characters who become stranded on Rama, their exploration of the Raman island dubbed "New York" and their encounters with other intelligent aliens on board the Raman vessel, the Avians and the Octospiders, both of whom are interesting and radically alien beings. This part of the book felt more Aurthur C. Clarke and less Gentry Lee - at least that's what I tell myself to avoid damaging Clarke's reputation in my mind. I admit that I might be being generous to give this book three stars instead of two or worse simply because it's a Clarke book. After Rendezvous with Rama, it was a big letdown in terms of having that "first contact and exploration" vibe and radically fails to address one of the few complaints of the original (weak character development) by giving us crew members who are basically caricatures of any real person you'd expect on an exploration team.

Rama II is not merely an excellent science fiction story; it’s more of a counterpoint of politics, intrigue and murders all turning around a basso continuo of the main theme. Whereas the first Rama book delved just slightly into history and culture with Norton’s respect for Captain Cook, Rama II enthralls us with 3 small robots who recite Shakespeare, Beethoven’s 6th, rites of the Senoufo people of Africa and a bit of Alice in Wonderland thrown in as well. Mathematics, physics, probability also have their part in this story. While the story is progressing, we also get a look into past incidents that shaped the characters into what they are at the time of the mission. Science fiction in its most pure form almost always predicts future in the way of technology. In Rama II, what we know of today as a 3D printer is ably described. Literary tools are skillfully used, “…weird sound, like dozens of unshod baby feet on a linoleum floor.” In the land of biots in the shapes of crabs, sharks, octopods and centipedes, of pure running water and manna melons there are still seemingly primitive creatures which we never find out if they are biots or just plain bio. The author has some clever commentary on governments “…beauracracies are the same. They drain the life out of the truly creative people and develop mindless paper pushers as their critical mass.” There are views on the relationship of science and religion “…wasn’t it He who had provided the impetus for the cataclysmic explosion known as the Big Bang…” Rama II has all the elements of a good movie script: the incredible worldlet of Rama itself; the courageous and the cowardly, the good guys and the bad guys (and girls). There is life and death, technology, politics, religion and science. There are adventures with strange creatures and stranger architecture. We get to know fear, anger, treachery, love and pure joy. Then there’s the crew of twelve, all so intelligent as to be in the top ten percent of the top 1 percent of the population. However, smart doesn’t always mean good or looking out for one’s fellows. The evil, conniving Italian vixen and her plans that go awry in the very worst way. The bullied American scientist who got where he was through just a bit of, shall we say, cheating? The French woman, a quiet investigator and somewhat of an intuitionist. The token black guy. The Japanese scientist with a serious heart condition. The deeply religious general. The English Shakespearean. The Russians… The German… Compromised crew members… I could go on, but really, just read it – you won’t be disappointed.

I don’t think this sequel is as powerful a story as the first Rama book, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I would recommend that you give it a read and find out for yourself.

This was was an excellent science fiction novel, but it does not !measure up to the first novel, RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA ! The first novel was very all Sir Arthur Clarke with his unique prose and Hard Science Fiction story! RAMA 2 is a joint novel collaboration with Clarke providing the framework but someone else writing the actual story! There was too much sensationalism and pulp fiction style of prose that is not worthy of Sir Arthur Clarke! Too much pulp fiction wackiness in my opinion! Some of the characters were too psychologically irrational for my taste! Could only give 4 Stars to this novel!

This is an awesome extension of the Arthur C. Clarke legend. His books have inspired many readers to open their minds to different ideas. I met him years ago at a World Science Fiction Convention while I was helping at a table and he walked by. He was so dignified and easy to chat with. He had a way of mixing real science (remember he first described the geosynchronous satellite orbit) and pure imagination. This story fits that model, sometimes making us wonder where fact and fantasy diverge. It is great reading, interesting characters, a great plot and beautiful prose.

This was an excellent and very unexpected sequel to Rama, for me. Really looking forward to what happens in the next book.

El libro esta muy bien para ser de segunda mano. Totalmente recomendable para los aficionados a la ciencia ficición como yo.

Cadeau de NOEL pour un membre de la famille. Il pourra travailler l'anglais. Et en même temps passer un bon moment.

Much slower in pace but focusing more on the characters and the wonders Rama 2, which was much more engrossing.

This book is an excellent read. Great story.

I loved the first book "Rendevouz with Rama". This second one is still a good story, but the author keeps revolving a lot in such small details sometimes that it makes the reading less enjoyable, The whole chapter about visiting the Vatican (chill, no spoilers xD) was just 100% skippable for me. Still, the book is a good story!