Curious covers for this masterpiece of SF. Dautant that the city in question, Diaspar, is situated on a completely ravaged Earth and this since billion of years. The surviving humans live in isolation and will know no death. They perpetually reincarnated and whenever they want. A Computer Central looks after everything! Especially do they not talk of stars and legends that tell it that it has long conquered them and they founded an empire before the arrival of the "Invaders" that almost destroyed everything. For "diaspariens" he nexiste nothing else that their gigantic city-universe. Except quAlvin does not see this eye and wants to discover the outside world. But the doors are closed to the desert and will require the help of a Khedron appointed him to get out. Alvin will find the way to Lys, another city that refused the Diaspar lifestyle and developed telepathy and powers of mind, content to die when the time came. Accompanied by Hilvar who became his friend "Lysien" it will leave much further in space and discover the true secret of these ancient cities and the history of humanity. Alvin and Hilvar sunissent to try to rally the two cities and open them access to both cities before revealing their vast discovery of Truth. A breathtaking discovery I want men to unveil.
Already found in this novel ideas that will be used in "2001 lOdyssée lEspace of" a little over 10 years later. Clarke likes to play his two favorite pieces: science and religion. Always in conflict. The author remains an opponent of religions and beliefs lull people and lead to deadlock. But "Science" Clarke has this magical and paradoxical side that involves nonmaterial entities above the material, in the end, be the key to understanding the Universe. I remember people's heads coming out of theaters in 1968 after seeing "2001". Most navaient understood nothing. Others saw them as symbols that are always open debates dactualité. "The City is the Stars" is a philosophical reflection about the future of humanity and the merits of his choices not always intelligent (and often totally off base). Such a reflection on the "authorities" lies to lull the people and lead to his downfall. Clarke also challenges, as it has subtly art, thoughtless actions of sorcerer's apprentices of our world while having dindulgence enough to think that even more advanced beings might commit the same mistakes. Note also in this story tasty evocation of the "Master" and his disciples, a master who deceives and invent false miracles while that they raise a temple. Without citing the difficult not to believe that Clarke speaks of Christ even if the trip spaceship.
A major work of Clarke but also the whole SF. With "Children DICARE," "Songs of Distant Earth," the saga of "Rama" and "2001", it must be in the library of any SF fan who respects himself.
