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The Garden of Rama Paperback – September 1, 1992

by Arthur C. Clarke (Author), Gentry Lee (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 2,579 ratings
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In the spellbinding Arthur C. Clarke tradition, here is an exhilarating adventure into the hearts of both the Universe and mankind . . . 

By the twenty-third century Earth has already had two encounters with massive, mysterious robotic spacecraft from beyond our solar system—the incontestable proof of an alien technology that far exceeds our own. Now three human cosmonauts are trapped aboard a labyrinthine Raman vessel, where it will take all of their physical and mental resources to survive.

Only twelve years into their journey do these intrepid travelers learn their destination and face their ultimate challenge: a rendezvous with a Raman base—and the unseen architects of their galactic home. The cosmonauts have given up family, friends, and possessions to live a new kind of life. But the answers that await them at the Raman Node will require an even greater sacrifice—if humanity is indeed ready to learn the awe-inspiring truth.
Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 4
    Rama
  2. Print length
    528 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Bantam Books
  5. Publication date
    September 1, 1992
  6. Dimensions
    4.22 x 1.22 x 6.73 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0553298178
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0553298178
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the spellbinding Arthur C. Clarke tradition, here is an exhilarating adventure into the hearts of both the Universe and mankind...

By the twenty-third century Earth has already had two encounters with massive, mysterious robotic spacecraft from beyond our solar system--the incontestable proof of an alien technology that far exceeds our own. Now three human cosmonauts are trapped aboard a labyrinthine Raman vessel, where it will take all of their physical and mental resources to surviv. Only twelve years into their journey do these intrepid travelers learn their destination and face their ultimate challenge: a rendevous with a Raman base--and the unseen architects of their galactic home. The cosmonauts have given up family, friends, and possessions to live a new kind of life. But the answers that await them at the Raman Node will require an even greater sacrifice--if humanity is indeed ready to learn the awe-inspiring truth.

From the Inside Flap

binding Arthur C. Clarke tradition, here is an exhilarating adventure into the hearts of both the Universe and mankind...

By the twenty-third century Earth has already had two encounters with massive, mysterious robotic spacecraft from beyond our solar system--the incontestable proof of an alien technology that far exceeds our own. Now three human cosmonauts are trapped aboard a labyrinthine Raman vessel, where it will take all of their physical and mental resources to surviv. Only twelve years into their journey do these intrepid travelers learn their destination and face their ultimate challenge: a rendevous with a Raman base--and the unseen architects of their galactic home. The cosmonauts have given up family, friends, and possessions to live a new kind of life. But the answers that await them at the Raman Node will require an even greater sacrifice--if humanity is indeed ready to learn the awe-inspiring truth.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bantam Books; First Edition (September 1, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0553298178
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553298178
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.22 x 1.22 x 6.73 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 2,579 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Gentry Lee

    Gentry Lee

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  2. Arthur C. Clarke

    Arthur C. Clarke

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    SIR ARTHUR C. CLARKE (1917-2008) wrote the novel and co-authored the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey. He has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and he is the only science-fiction writer to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. His fiction and nonfiction have sold more than one hundred million copies in print worldwide.

    Photo by en:User:Mamyjomarash (Amy Marash) (en:Image:Clarke sm.jpg) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
2,579 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Karl H Schwerin
5.0 out of 5 stars The Garden of Rama
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2017
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Clarke creates a complex story line, beginning with survival of a single (complex) family inside the space vehicle/habitat Rama for more than a decade. They are then transported to a huge interstellar structure in the vicinity of Sirius where they are prepared to guide a cohort of humans on how to. live in an artificial environment created within the Raman space vehicle.
After a 12-year voyage back to Earth by the family, 2000 humans are recruited for the Raman habitat--their behavior and interactions to be studied by the Ramans over an unspecified period of time. The founding family is marked by technological and adaptive ingenuity in surviving within this artificial environment. But the new humans are not portrayed very positively. Selfishness, rivalries, and machinations to achieve power emerge. Doubts are fomented about the nature of the Ramans and even whether such extra-terrestrials exist. Scientific data are dismissed. A dictatorial government takes over, repressing criticism and opposition. Exploration outside the human habitat reveals the existence of other species in an adjacent habitat. But the human government promotes fear of the others, pursuing war against them and virtually annihilating their neighbors.
The narrative is enriched by continual exposition of the relationships within the protagonist/founding family, which ends up with one mother, two fathers and seven children. The mother Nicole becomes a judge for the community, but when she comes into conflict with the ruling administration, trumped up charges are brought against her and she is imprisoned, then condemned to be executed (in the sequel Rama Revealed, she is rescued at the last minute).
The strength of the book is its exploration of human motives, emotions, and weaknesses, particularly when faced with uncertainty, or the unknown.
10 people found this helpful
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Speed Demon
4.0 out of 5 stars An epic tale
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024
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When I started reading this one I thought I had read it before but realized I was thinking of the one before. Some of the same wonderful characters and lots of new ones as well. I love that it feels like three distinct sections but all runs together smoothly. Dana is the same but different at the same time. Their little family grows and adapts throughout. For me Clarke is one of the greatest sci-fi authors ever. His stories take you in and hold your attention.
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John Urban
5.0 out of 5 stars Great buy!
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023
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This was a gift and was fully enjoyed by a family member.
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BanjoBennie
3.0 out of 5 stars Call it Rama III
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023
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Quality of the series is declining. Only 3 stars. Rama I got 5 and Rama II got 4. Doesn't read like a Clarke story, probably the influence of Lee. The most interesting parts are the descriptions of the revised ship. The least interesting are the lengthy preachy passages. I'll read Rama IV because I already have it in the hope it will be better.
One person found this helpful
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Nikolai
5.0 out of 5 stars Rama, Rama, full of drama...
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2013
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I don't really understand why this novel has to much negative feedback. It's true, the first third of the book does proceed rather slowly at times, but it has to in order to make sure that the entire story is set up, not only for this book, but for the books to come. If you jumped ship before finishing this novel, you shouldn't review the book. I think the main thing people don't like about the Rama series after the first book is all the human drama. Rendezvous with Rama is a good sci-fi novel, but a rather sterile one--we are treated to the wonders of Rama, but the intrigue and dynamic personalities of the characters leave a lot to be desired. Rama II and Garden of Rama both contain plenty of action and a plethora of interesting characters, creatures, and biots, which I loved. There are plenty of twists and turns and the ending is a cliffhanger. All in all, I was very happy with this novel. The only thing that could be sped up a little bit is the first third, but like I said, I understand why it was so long, and after the action of the second and third parts, I can appreciate the fact that it's slow going at first.
2 people found this helpful
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Burning down the house
4.0 out of 5 stars Recipe for Disaster
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2014
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The ending of this story is terrible – tragic but beautiful, and you just have to know what happens next. The main character Nicole seems to have followed in the footsteps of her lifelong heroines Joan of Arc and Eleanor of Aquitaine, or has she? Only in reading the next book will you find out for sure.
Garden of Rama was certainly not what I expected after the second Rama book where they were happily exploring the interior of Rama and sure to find a garden of some kind or another. Instead, Garden of Rama is first filled with the day to day details of Nicole’s family life, parenting, relationships, her memories of life on planet Earth, her feelings and longings, misgivings, hopes and fears. The story slowly develops until we meet other HUMANS.
Just think – you’re sent to a planet which is a virtual Garden of Eden; you never have to do any cooking, cleaning or laundry; the weather is always perfect; the transportation system is state of the art; the views are breathtaking; you’ve established the physical amenities of your life on Earth. What could go wrong? And how fast could it go wrong? Ha ha. Just put 2000 human beings together in a space like that and let’s find out. Here we have a combination of various races and strata of society, including, (just to make things interesting), “clean” convicts. Needless to say, it’s a recipe for disaster – these people didn’t leave behind any of their vices, prejudices, greed, or fear. Along with intelligence, ingenuity, passion and curiousity comes criminality, discrimination, corruption, and politics, and in this book, the bad hats seem to win out, even to the extent of waging an unprovoked war that nearly destroys a whole other extraterrestrial species. The few high-minded persons who have any sense at all are systematically being eliminated.
It sounds just like the planet Earth today: wars waged for no good reason, the strong and evil taking advantage of the weaker, the fouling of the environment, and the herd mentality of the masses that can be manipulated for their own demise and the fortunes of a few evil control freaks.
I gave this story 4 stars instead of 5 – I love Nicole des Jardin but could have done with less of her inner maunderings and more action and exploration of Rama.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Mario frank
5.0 out of 5 stars Sequência digna da série Rama
Reviewed in Brazil on March 26, 2024
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Bom livro
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Warren Burton
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the third book in a series of four.
Reviewed in Canada on September 2, 2020
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You should probably read "Rendezvous with Rama" and "Rama II" first. The first of these is by Authur C. Clark alone. The remaining three books of the series are co-authored by Gentry Lee. All of the books are up to the high standard one expects of Science Fiction by Clark. Like other books by Clark, the author's sound knowledge of science shows through, making the story more enjoyable, since the reader can see the possible consequences of the fictional assumption that lies at the foundation of the story. I highly recommend this book to any fan of quality science fiction.
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Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic tour de force of classic Sci-fi
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2021
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I am amazed by all the negative reviews of this book. I didn't review book 1, but would give it 5 stars. Book 2, I gave 4 stars - because it was a bit tedious in places, but compared to many books out there, it would really deserve 5. This one, I found fascinating, throughout the whole 1000 pages. I totally disagree that the characters are 2 dimensional.. I am not religious so, like with book 2, I found some of the religious elements a bit off-putting, but in this book, it was more integrated into the whole story (although I find it hard to believe that in hundreds of years, there will still be devout Catholics who believe birth control is a sin, and to imagine it annoys me, to be honest). The story was so long and contained so many different elements that I found it hard to remember they were all within this one book - I kept thinking I must be remembering book 2, but checking, would realise my error. I was not disappointed with any part of this, neither the reveal about where Rama I and II came from, their purpose, or the follow-on from that. I found the 3rd part an excellent description of humanity's worst failings, and find it depressingly easy to imagine that our greed, xenophobia and selfishness would have the story play out exactly as described, if this were to happen tomorrow. Sadly.. And this story evoked in me the same utter sadness and anger as when I contemplate the situation on earth today. Nevertheless, I did not find it a depressing read, overall. Yes, I found main Nicole character a bit annoying all along, but it's also worth considering that this book was written decades ago, so it's not surprising we'd find some aspects of personal experiences a bit outdated or sanctimonious - despite our many failings, humanity has moved on somewhat, culturally and socially, since that time, and my annoyance was not nearly enough to put me off the story overall. Plus, she's her own hardest critic, so it's hard to be too annoyed.. And I found her character anything but lacking in depth. Overall, I found this an excellent book, and would definitely recommend it, if you like classic Sci-fi.
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Siehnel, Gary
5.0 out of 5 stars nice
Reviewed in Germany on September 11, 2018
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one of the best author minds ever
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Ulises dcc
5.0 out of 5 stars Las sorpresas continuan.
Reviewed in Mexico on February 6, 2017
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Un cambio radical en la forma de continuar la saga, adentrandose en la psicologia humana y tratando de entender posibles viajes largos en el espacio. Gran libro.
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