The Last Theorem by Arthur C. Clarke, Frederik Pohl Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Last Theorem
Book Review: Don't waste your time.
Summary: 2 Stars
In the past, I've enjoyed novels by both Arthur C. Clarke and Frederik Pohl. Unfortunately, The Last Theorem was a terrible novel. By the title, you might think that some small part of the story had to do with solving Fermat's Last Theorem. Well, the solving does happen, but I would not say it was any part of a "story". In fact, I didn't notice much of a story at all, at any point. The entire book seemed to merely be a listing of things that happened to the main character, Ranjit Subramanian. Events that happened at the beginning of the story seemed to be totally unrelated to the events at the end of the book. Despite all the events covered by the book, nothing ever HAPPENS. I never knew why the authors related particular anecdotes, and important developmental information was consistently left out, relating instead simply the facts that occurred. It reads very much like a dry history book. Don't waste your time.Book Review: Good Writing, Weak Plot, No Climax.
Summary: 2 Stars
Act I:
Ranjit Subramanianis is obsessed with proving Fermat's last Theorem.
Aliens decide to kill all humans.
Act II:
Ranjit Subramanian solve's Fermat's Last Theorem.
Fifteen years pass by.
Act III:
Aliens decide not to kill all humans.
This decision has nothing to do with Ranjit Subramanian or Fermat's last theorem.
Moral of the Story:
You can count to 1023 using only your fingers.
Recommendation:
Don't buy this book. The final climax of the story was resolved so quickly, with so little explanation, and by even less action on the part of the main character that I was left wondering why this character was even in this novel, and why did I have to read fifteen years worth of trivia about his life. The initial premise was interesting, and the writing was excellent, but after a while it becomes little more than a vehicle for Clarke to discuss his own pet ideas, most of which ideas have already been discussed in previous books.
Book Review: Hmmm...
Summary: 2 Stars
I don't really understand why this book was published. There is nothing really new or exciting here. It seems to be a collection of ideas just thrown together in the hope that they work. Sri Lanka? Check. Space aliens? Check. Fermat's famous problem? Check. Space elevators? Check. America bashing? Check. This is supposed to be the story of one man; unfortunately it's not very satisfying....Book Review: Idiot's Guide to Writing Sci-Fi
Summary: 1 Stars
Poor Clarke has been on a downward slide for some time. From the early promising days of Rama and 2001 we have descended to clap trap (the gun destroying thing was THE worst) and repeats and more repeats. Some people just can't quit when they're ahead!
Believe me, this is classic Clarke and Poul and since both are classic sci-fi writers you know pretty well what you get except in this case the product is definitely lacking. There are subplots (the son) that are given time and attention and then dwindle away. There are the usual scientific questions such as Fermi's - "IF they're out there why haven't they come?" Dozens - no, hundreds - of authors and scientists have attempted to come up with a satisfactory answer and so far, few have succeeded like the biologist who declared that we are unique and alone. That is by far the best definition.
Clarke's real problem (and Poul's) is that they are not current on what's "in" with today's science fiction - nanotech, Singularity, virtual reality, biotechnology and robotics. Clarke is a certified engineer and in a way, he has always written like one. His characters have a somewhat pedantic quality and indeed, characterization is the weakest element in his writing. Poul, too, is a classic writer - space ships, aliens, war and the like. It's not the subject matter or the writing that's old (but instead, the ideas are dated. My advice - get one of the older books and enjoy a good read.
My grade - D-
Book Review: If you're a Clarke/Pohl groupie, you gotta have it..
Summary: 3 Stars
I've been a huge Clarke and Pohl fan, so there was no way I was not going to get this book. I would give it a B minus. The only real negative I feel I need to commment on is the ridiculous Lt. Col. Bledsoe character, who seemed like a cartoonish stereotype from Dr. Strangelove. A military man, in our near future or present, calling the Russians "Russkies" and the Chinese "Chinks" ? Maybe the authors don't care for the U.S. Military, but this is a dopey way to express it. Still, overall I enjoyed the book.