Rendezvous with Rama is a science fiction novel published by Arthur C. Clarke in 1972, and won nearly all relevant awards in the years after its release.
A Mysterious Object Enters the Solar System
The plot of Rendezvous with Rama takes place in the year 2130. Due to a catastrophic meteor strike that struck Italy a century previously (eerily enough on September 11th), killing over 600,000 people, the warning system Spaceguard had been developed to detect any object anywhere near the habited planets (by this time several colonies have been established throughout the solar system) so that it can be diverted if there is any chance of impact. Spaceguard is the first to detect an unusual object headed towards the center of the solar system. The object is christened “Rama”; the naming rules for objects in the solar system had moved on to the Hindu pantheon because all of the Roman and Greek names had been used.
As Rama approaches, it becomes clear that it is not a natural object. It is perfectly cylindrical, about 50 km long, rotating along its axis about every four minutes, and it appears to be hollow. A survey ship, The Endeavour, led by Commander William Norton, happens to be the only vessel that can intercept Rama, and it is diverted to learn more about this object. The story explores what the crew finds when they enter Rama and how theories of the origin and purpose of Rama evolve as the story unfolds.
Implications of Rama
The narrative of Rendezvous with Rama primarily focuses on the crew of the Endeavour, but occasionally shifts to the perspective of the Rama Committee, a board of experts and diplomats that discuss the implications of Rama and the information that Commander Norton delivers. Interplanetary politics interfere with the committee members' visions of Rama, while Commander Norton and his crew keep a clear practical view.
Rendezvous with Rama is a perfect example of Clarke’s “hard” science fiction, intricately detailing the technical, but he does throw in questions about religion, politics, and humanity without being overbearing or biased. The book is a fairly easy read that any reader could devour in a day, or if they have the willpower to put it down, spread out their enjoyment over a few evenings. It has to be kept in mind that this book was published in 1972; this makes Clarke’s genius of technical foresight even more impressive.
Continuation of the Rama Story
Although there are three additional books in the Rama series, all co-written with author Gentry Lee, Rendezvous with Rama is its own story, and was originally written to stand alone. The book does leave some unanswered questions that do get addressed in the later volumes, but their original purpose was to get the reader thinking about possibilities, for human nature, technological development, and the potential existence of other intelligent life.
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