Title: Interesting premise, poorly developed characters
Product review: The basic premise of the book is tantalizing enough - Man seeks to colonize distant stars as Earth is consumed by the sun. Unfortunately, the book is poorly executed. Characters are hastily constructed with little or no depth. Love triangles have a sterile feel that lets you shrug your shoulders and care for no party in particular. While the ambiance of the novel is attractive enough - interstellar travel, a space elevator cameo, a new planet to explore - the actual action occurring within the setting is of very little interest or substance. Clarke does manage to cobble together snippets of philosophical thought - 90% of humans in this future world are bisexual, God has (to the relief of mankind) finally been dispensed with, etc.My lasting impression is that the novel, quite simply, is utterly without a "good story".
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