Anderson Rearick III’s Reviews > Rama II > Status Update

Nicole des Jardins, who I expect is going to work out the murder of the commander. Is depicted as enduring an African rite of passage almost cost her like. It reminded me of Spock in “Yesterday’s Son” and made me guess that the original author of that work knew of this tradition. She came through it but I was displeased with the practice.

As if the soap opera dynamics of this new crew were not complications enough, now comes the death of the ships Commander. Meanwhile what is obvious to me is that this is not an accident this is a terrible murder that used misdiagnosis and a tampered surgical robot to achieve its end. Where is Hercule Perot when you need him?

The dysfunctional nature the crew in this novel is annoying to me. Something this big, even if it is the second time around would not be left open for a brew for a reality TV drama.

Raman’s and Romans have nothing in common…except mathematics.

Nicole Des Jardins’ question about what lays in the center of a real woman in response to recorded comments made by her flamboyant crew mate, Francesca Sabatini, who has seduced other married men is interesting.

Of course Clark added a new saint St. Michael of Siena who was martyred by a thermal nuclear blast by a terrorist who wanted to stop his message of universal brotherhood. Clark will allow faith as long as you don’t believe your own too much.

General O’Toole, the head of the Rama II expedition, is a devout Catholic. A straightforward Catholic unlike the Neo-Catholics that Clark included in the crew featured in his first Rama novel. As I have noted in other writings Clark, I confirmed atheist, continues to present religious ideas within his text. I will confirm that his treatment is thoughtful and engaging. Unlike other SF writers who just dismiss.

Interesting that neither Clarke nor Lee foresaw the fall of the USSR. THE PREEMINENCE OF THE Soviets looks a bit foolish like their role in 2010.

The complications of Dr. Takanishi’s heart issue and his desperate attempt to hide his condition (drawing his coworker into the deception) is more likely Gentry Lee’s addition. Clarke did not suggest much perxonal complexities in the novels I’ve read.

The unscrupulous reporter Natasha who uses people and her own sexuality would not be in the first Rama. It’s like Star Trek returns with a dysfunctional crew!