A “superbly ingenious” classic of space survival from the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey–one of science fiction’s most influential grandmasters (Daily Express). Expanding the Moon’s population hinges on building a thriving tourist industry. But when a prototype tourist craft called the Selene encounters a moonquake, the ship plummets under a vast body of liquid-fine moondust called the Sea … of liquid-fine moondust called the Sea of Thirst. While time runs out for the passengers and crew, rescuers find their resources stretched to the limit by the unpredictable conditions of the lunar environment.
Nominated for the Hugo Award in 1963, this brilliantly imagined story of human ingenuity and survival is a tour-de-force of psychological suspense and sustained dramatic tension sure to appeal to fans of Andy Weir’s The Martian.
“The best book yet about man’s most dramatic journey, the most exciting science fiction novel for years.” —Evening Standard
“Expertly told and cruelly exciting to the end.” —The Sunday Times
“Extremely good . . . with some superbly ingenious and exciting new twists.” —Daily Express
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Really enjoyed this read!
A Fall of Moondust was first published in 1961, a full eight years before humans actually landed on the Moon, but still manages to create a wholly believable vision of this bleak and forbidding environment. As Buzz Aldrin said in 1969, “magnificent desolation” indeed.
“Pat Harris has skippered Selene across the Moon’s Sea of Thirst dozens of times, and never suffered more than a broken fan blade. But a moonquake causes the sea of super-fine dust to swallow the small passenger vessel.
Trapped 15 metres beneath the surface, Pat must use all the ingenuity he can muster to keep his passengers alive.
On the surface, chief engineer Robert Lawrence works frantically to locate the stricken vessel and rescue her passengers and crew before the sea claims them forever…”
A Fall of Moondust might not be quite as well known as some of Clarke’s other works, such as ‘2001: A Space Odyssy’, ‘Childhood’s End’ or ‘Rendezvous With Rama’, but it is still a rip-roaring adventure filled with dire peril mixed with the most accurate science that was known in 1961. This book really does put the ‘hard’ in hard science fiction.
Unfortunately, sixty years later, it does come across as quite dated. That’s not a problem if you can immerse yourself in this world that never was, with sixties-style television extravaganzas and journalists ‘filing copy’, but some of these references are jarring to a modern readership.
However, the science is thoroughly compelling, and you have no problem believing any of it. The premise that there is a sea on the Moon, with dust so fine it behaves like a liquid, is enticingly plausible. We now know there are no such seas on the Moon, but that doesn’t stop us from trying to figure out how the passengers of Selene could be rescued, such is the skilful way Clarke presents this ‘science’.
Where the book does fall down though, as is so often the case with Clarke’s books, is in characterisation. The characters aren’t terrible by any means, but you just don’t feel connected to them. There’s clearly a smouldering attraction between Captain Harris and the plucky young stewardess Miss Wilkins, but although this is explored a little, the author is just a little stand-offish. Whereas he is perfectly at home expounding the latest scientific principles of the day, matters of interpersonal relationships seem to be a mystery to him, and when dealing with people he is on rather shaky ground. Still, this shouldn’t detract you from enjoying this book. The story is so solid that you can forgive its weaker points.
As the book reaches its denouement, you feel a rising sensation of dread. Every time there is a glimmer of hope for our luckless protagonists, it is cruelly snatched away, plunging them into an even deeper crisis. The Moon is not going to give up its captives easily.
A Fall of Moondust is well worth a look if you enjoy hard science fiction, devoid of any fantasy elements. Not quite a classic, but a very satisfying read.
I always enjoy a good sci-fi read and Arthur C Clark has never disappointed me in that regard. This is a believable possible story.
I did no enjoy this book. It was slow and dated.
I read this book about 40 years ago and have never forgotten the story. Arthur Clarke did a bang-up job with a unique storyline. The characters were realistic and you never were sure what would happen next.
One omg favorites growing up.
Not quite “The Martian” but, for heaven’s sake, it’s 50 or 60 years old.
Reads like an action movie
Clark was one of the first ST authors i read. He led me to my current love of these stories. This book did not disappoint me. I thought it was wonderful and typical of his style and craft.
Very realistic and believable.