Carl sagan contact book pdf movie#

Other than that, this was a magnificent ride. No disrespect to Laurel Lefkow, but in my personal opinion, she'd be far more suited to narrate love stories and dramas. It's just that I kept constantly thinking to myself, while listening to this masterpiece, that although the narration was good and enjoyable enough to keep me going, it wasn't up to the level of this book and the scope and spectre of the subject. It is eloquent, fluid, brilliant and, above all, truly astounding and exquisite. To be rather fair, it wasn't that it was bad. The narration was the only weak link in the entire package. Personally, I tend to focus on the latter, but I didn't find the science overwhelming or overly uninteresting and zoning out on the odd detail didn't detract from what was an excellent book. Any additional comments? If you like lots of technical detail and science alongside your philosophical debate, then you'll really enjoy this story. I don't know much about Carl Sagan, but I get the sense he didn't believe in absolute certainties and he handles both viewpoints fairly and with an open mind in the book. As far as I can tell, belief, faith and respect for each other's views is the heart of the book. What other book might you compare Contact to, and why? I can't think of a direct comparison, but there are elements of The Wizard of Oz and Narnia in there - in a really small way! Which scene did you most enjoy? My favourite scene was the debate between Ellie and the 2 pastors on the nature of her belief in science versus theirs in religion. I spent much of the first listen comparing it to the film but now I've done that, the book will be foremost in my mind and I'll be able to relax with the story. Would you listen to Contact again? Why? I would definitely listen to Contact again and not just because it was a brilliant story or because I know I'm going to get more from revisiting it. Most of the supporting characters are male and the narrator (female) did a superb job rising to the challenge of voice acting each male character without sounding odd or goofy. Lefkow did an outstanding job as a true Voice Actor. In summary, excellent book, and not only because of the writing but due to the narrator's great performance as well. Following her voyage in the machine, Ellie learns something interesting about the number for 'pi' (i.e., 3.14.) that provides an interesting twist at the conclusion of the story. The conversation Ellie has with the alien is much, much more detailed and extensive, and for me was a real highlight of the story. Ellie is not the only individual who makes the trips several delegates make the trip with her and have their own unique experiences. This was interesting because by the time the story concludes only two machines have been used (or should I say, one has been destroyed and one has been used and possibly is not able to be used again), with the machine in Russia still unused. Three machines, not two, are constructed (i.e., in the USA, Japan, and Russia).

Ellie has many romantic relationships (i.e., sexual relationships with a lab assistant early in her career, and then with Kent the Russian Scientist later in her career and sexual tension with Drummond and then to an even greater degree with Vagay), albeit not with Palmer Joss who is the one individual she does have a romantic relationship with in the movie. The President of USA has a more prominent, reoccurring role, and is female. Ellie's childhood, teenage years, and early graduate and internship years are described in a more detail. Ellie and her stepfather (also not present in the movie) have a strained and reoccurring relationship throughout the book. While Ellie's father passes away, her mother is around throughout her childhood and her adult life.

Carl sagan contact book pdf movie#

I am writing this review to mainly focus on the major differences between the movie and the book.The book follows the same basic plot as the movie, but with a few exceptions (SPOILER ALERT): - Ellie's mother is not dead, as in the movie. My favorite book, written by one of my favorite people (Carl Sagan). Great book, significant differences from the movie