Contact by Carl Sagan?

Question

How good is this book? - compared to other great science fiction...

Answer 1

It is FABULOUS! But not for the weak of heart or mind. This is NOT a beach book.

It is a wonderful read but, unless you have an advanced degree in physics, you will read it slowly and savor every word. I found that I had to go back several times and re-read something to actually enjoy the complete concept of what he was writing about.

Enjoy!

Answer 2

I am an admirer of Carl Sagan and his scientific writings. His television series was fantastic. However, to ask about comparing Mr. Sagan to great science fiction writers is like comparing a raw hot dog to your favorite steak (hope you're not a Vegan). I read it, I liked it but great science fiction it is not. I enjoyed the movie, but that was because of Jodi Foster.

Answer 3

I have to start with a disclaimer about not reading the book.

I saw the movie with Jody Foster and thought it was so insipid and predictable (very inferior, creaky sci-fi) that I was turned back from any possibiity of reading the book. I suppose my reaction was based on the implicit assumption that for something to be so bad, the author of the book had to be — in some degree — complicit in it being spoiled (i.e., had to have supplied at least some of the material behind the film's rottenness. Note: after I rwrote this, I was reminded that Sagan had written the script and had been closely involved on the set in the effort ot keep the science element in the film — evidently, only partly succeeding in counering Hollywood science). I like Sagan's writing, and I like Jody Foster's acting intelligence, so I don't think I was hugely biased (thouogh my dislikes in this case, were particularly strong).

I think that Sagan is still so interesting that you don't have to go to his occasional fiction in order to get excited about his ideas and insights. I think that the reissue of his early book that puts his ideas about extraterrestrial life in context, THE COSMIC CONNECTION (1973; reissued in 2000) http://www.amazon.com/Carl-Sagans-Cosmic-Connection-Extraterrestrial/dp/0521783038 is where anyone interested in Sagan's ET ideas should go first. The 2000 reissue comes with an interoductory essay that reassesses and confirms his significance as we move forward.

That having been said, I don't think that anyone should rely on my own specific reaction to the movie to assess the book. Take a look at the Amazon page on CONTACT the novel: http://www.amazon.com/Contact-Carl-Sagan/dp/0671004107 . There is a decent article in Wikipedia (judging by the film) which is particularly enlightening on the use being made of Sagan's novel by the creationist movemen (which seems to be inconsisent with at least his earlier ideas): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_(novel) .

Wikipedia also links to an extensive review of the movie and comparison with the novel, which probes certain of the central ideas that it develops and suggests that the movie would have been more faithful to the novel by using it as the basis for a 20-hour long TV miniseries. The review's author is one of the organizers of SETI, the computer community that networks PC computing power for monitoring space noise to filter out possible signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. See Larry Krlaes's review at http://www.coseti.org/klaescnt.htm .

Answer 4

It's good. I'm not a big fan of science fiction, but I liked Contact. (Maybe that means a real sci-fi fan wouldn't think it was so great?) Here are some reviews that may help you decide.

http://www.librarything.com/work/4864

Answer 5

I thought is was a good read, & I actually also liked the movie too. I've always admired Jodie Foster & Matthew M. was so adorable - could almost convert me.