Clarke is the acknowledged master of the Outside Context Problem novel. In Rama, the solar system is visited by an immense interstellar spaceship, a giant metal cylinder that comes to life as it approaches the sun. The novel combines the cosmic speculation of 2001 and Childhood's End with the macro-engineering wonder of Ringworld. While the space science is right up there with the classics, the human element is lacking, with most of the characters being competent, knowledgeable types who are rarely at a loss for the proper action, even when faced with something that dwarfs human comprehension. The few hints of something beyond the narrow scope of the novel, such as the Fifth Church of Christ-Astronaut, do not make up for the relative flatness of the characters. But hey, it's Clark at the height of his powers, and it's a hell of a lot better than 3001 (Yes, 3001. What a lousy sequel).