The most powerful concept that is conveyed in Rendezvous with Rama is that the more you learn about something you are left with more questions than answers. Each discovery made strengthens the mystery of what it is that you are dealing with. Even at the end of the book there is so much that is left unknown, but hopefully all the pieces will fall into place with the subsequent Rama novels.

This actually is not as frustrating as it might possibly be seen. In fact, it is what makes Rendezvous with Rama so magnificent. With the book starting at a place where absolutely nothing is known every discovery big or small adds to the intrigue. Those discoveries make the place become a little more real each time, and fuels an eagerness for the next layer to be revealed.

Rendezvous with Rama had a seemingly slow build up for a book of under 250 pages, but I believe it added a lot to the tension and feeling of suspense. Besides, since it isn't a standalone novel any slowness is not a real loss, and there is (at least at this point) much more left to be revealed. I had been looking forward to getting into another Arthur C. Clarke book after Childhood's End, and I am glad my anticipation was not in vain.