Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke tells the story of humanity’s encounter with a highly advanced alien race known as the Overlords.
Set in the mid-twentieth century, the novel begins with the arrival of the Overlords on Earth, who assume a benevolent role in guiding humanity toward a more prosperous and peaceful future. Over the years, the Overlords help humanity solve many of its problems, including war, poverty, and disease, and usher in a new era of prosperity and enlightenment.
However, as humanity approaches this new era of enlightenment, a sense of unease begins to grow among the humans. The Overlords refuse to reveal their true appearance, and their ultimate intentions remain a mystery. As tensions rise, protagonist Jan Rodricks and a small group of rebels begin to resist the Overlords’ rule, and a race against time ensues to uncover the truth about the Overlords’ true nature and intentions before it’s too late.
Clarke’s novel explores themes of utopia, the nature of humanity, the impact of technology on society, and the dangers of blind faith. With its thought-provoking narrative and vividly realized world-building, Childhood’s End remains a classic of science fiction literature and now it has been given the Folio Society treatment with a brand new edition!
For the first time, The Folio Society presents an illustrated edition featuring six haunting and mesmerising artworks by the award-winning Grace Aldrich.
With a silver-blocked spine and printed cloth binding, this new edition comes with a matt laminated slipcase designed with striking and tumultuous imagery ripped right from the poignant and unnerving text.
Inside features a preface written by Arthur C. Clarke, perhaps the world’s foremost sci-fi writer whose other works include 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rendezvous with Rama (both of which have also recieved the stunning Folio Society Treatment).
The Folio Society edition of Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke is available now. Buy it here
