I am sure I have read somewhere, about a science fiction story. The aliens who come to Earth in this story do not have music, and they don't understand music. That's about all I know - I think it's a fairly 'old' story but I can't even tell you the decade!

I'd like to know the title / author, if anybody does know.

I have a feeling that it might have been mentioned in Oliver Sack's Musicophilia, in which case I may be able to find out when I get home and can look in the bibliography

Arther C Clark, Childhoods End. (How do you spell his first name? Tried almost evry spelling and can't find one that looks right)

It's a very small part of the book - I'v read it before and couldn't remember that, so read it again at Christmas. It's just mentioned in one line, and absolutely clear that the Overlords don't understand music.

Arthur C. Clark

That DOES bring back memories. I was crazy about sci-fi as a boy. I read hundreds of books -especially the short stories. I think the first Arthur C Clark book I ever read was The City and the Stars.

I quite enjoyed the Rama books, but hated the last one. I though it sooo depressing!

Steve

Thank you, I knew someone here would know!

At the risk of unmasking myself as a geek…

There is an episode of Star Trek: Voyager that has aliens who don’t understand music. They become fascinated by the ship’s doctor’s opera singing. I think in the end it turns out it’s not the music they like as such, but the mathematical aspects of it.

I quite liked the idea of the model of the galaxy in the last one - sort of "Google Galaxy" (as opposed to Google Earth), particularly nice idea that you could look at any time as well as any location.

I also liked the idea of the pod thingy (can't remember what it was called) with loads of Rama type space ships, each housing specimens of a different life form - found that quite powerful image, especially after all the other books had stressed how big Rama was. Another nice idea (which ran right through the last books) was that characters often were forced to make irrevocable decisions before they properly understood the consequences of making the decission.

But yes, it did get a bit gloomy towards the end, I ended up wishing that Nicola de Jardin would hurry up and die. I half expected another Rama book to come out - I'm sure it would only take a relatively minor plot twist to resurect her as one of the higher beings who watch over the Galaxy.

I think my favorite book by *Arthur* C Clark is the fountains of paradise. I read it in Nepal years ago and discovered that it's full of references to Hindu / Bhuddist culture

*Clarke*

I don't think I've ever read any ACC, a deficiency I will seek to remedy.

Oh good grief!



Let's just call him Arfur!

You no, that geezer wot rote them buks about spayce, alyens an' roket ships 'n that stuff...innit?
Nuffink as good as docter oo!!

Steve

Dr Who's back on Saturday, I can't wait

Is it this Saturday? !

I'm sure my Dad has the Rama books, I must get around to reading them sometime.. Like when I have time! Anyone know if theres a German/Spanish translation of them, thats about the only way I could justify reading them right now....

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams (of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy fame) has the reverse twist: The aliens have the music and we don't, at least nothing beyond the Notre-Dame school, until Dirk in a time machine picks up this fellow called Bach and he hears some of the aliens music . . . When they return to the 20th century at the end of the story, it has changed and is as we know it now.