This was bought a few weeks ago at a used bookstore in the Milwaukee area (Wisconsin USA). I already have a copy that I read a few years ago, so this one is available immediately.

The book was sent today to Nell-Lu in Scotland, as part of a trade arranged through JudySlump612's Superluminal VBB.

This just arrived -- what wonderful, fast delivery! Many thanks, TomHl, especially as the postage wasn't cheap. I hope you enjoy the Reynolds you got out of the Superluminal VBB.

I'm looking forward to Contact, but have just started a 600-page book and have several books in the urgent section of my TBR shelf, so it may be a few weeks before I get onto it. Thanks again for sharing.

Thanks again, TomHl, for sharing. This is a classic SF book that I've somehow managed to miss, so I'm delighted to have had this chance to catch up.

I absolutely loved the first third of this book. I enjoyed young Ellie's journey into science (and identified with the issues she faced as a woman among predominantly male colleagues). I also loved the detail and authenticity with which the SETI project and Argus facility were described. I was very excited when they found evidence of extra-terrestrial life.

However, I spent the middle third wishing they'd hurry up and get to the aliens. It's not that Sagan's analysis of the political ramifications of Contact wasn't interesting (although the USSR-USA polarity of world politics now feels very dated), but it was slow. Then, the final third disappointed because the description of the aliens, their society, technology and enviroments was dodged.

Overall, this was an interesting read and gave plenty of food for thought, but it wasn't as inventive or entertaining as I'd anticipated from the brilliant opening.

I'm not sure how I'll BookCross this book. I'll keep hold of it for a while in case there's another round of JudySlump612's VBB.

I'm sending this as a surprise RABCK to a BookCrosser who has it on their wishlist. Happy reading!