CHILDHOOD'S END
As found in the omnibus Across The Sea Of Stars
This is one of those icons of science-fiction, considered a classic in the genre. Perhaps the expectations of that fact led me down the wrong path. Oh, I enjoyed this very much, but it didn't quite live up to the hype. SF fans should like this one, but I'm not quite ready to number it among the best ever. Good, solid, engaging, yes. A giant among history's literature? Perhaps just a bit shy of that.
Mankind is on the brink of reaching space, but it is not to be. The ships of the Overlords suddenly appear in the skies above every major city on Earth. And they have proclaimed themselves our keepers. Soon, war, crime, hunger and a slew of the world's problems are a thing of the past. Although their motives are kept carefully hidden, it quickly becomes apparent that the peoples of Earth are better off than at any time in mankind's history. But gnawing at the backs of the minds of many are those mysterious motives.....
Adding to the unrest is the fact that the Overlords have refused to show their true selves to humanity. In time, with the opposition movement getting more bold, the Overlords agree to show themselves. In fifty years. As the first segment of the book comes to a close, the opposition movement is crushed and the human liason between Earth and the Overlords catches the briefest of glimpses of the alien who leads the Overlords' forces. But we are not yet allowed to share that glimpse.
As the day nears for the unveiling, all but one of the Overlords' ships disappear. There had always been just the one, and now it was deemed time to drop the show of force. Mankind had come to trust and revere the aliens who had brought them such a peaceful world. And finally, we, along with the people of Earth, get to see their masters. And the reasoning of keeping themselves hidden seems well-founded. But now there is no need to remain faceless. We are ready.
It is in the third segment that my grumbling began. After the long build-up, finally the true purpose of the Overloards is revealed. While it is truly a huge idea, I just felt a bit of a letdown. I felt there should have been something more. Something less ..... abstract may be the word. It's really impossible to discuss with someone who has not read the book. A bit too cerebral, not enough to sink your teeth into.
Despite my crying, I did indeed enjoy this. As I said, any sf fan should be able to read this without reservation. I'm just not sure I'd place it on a pedestal. Surely I'll place on my bookshelf. With pleasure.
Across The Sea Of Stars
