Point of View

Rendezvous with Rama is written exclusively from the third person point of view. This approach is traditionally preferred in the realm of science fiction literature because it allows the author some freedom in dealing with technical description. Arthur C. Clarke takes great care of presenting every angle and aspect of the unfolding story by delving in the scientific details of the alien artificial environment, yet he does in a simple manner.

The reader is never directly challenged by the novel's characters or by the evolution of events taking place on Rama. Much like the spectators of the 23rd century, who could only witness the passage of Rama as relayed through the televised media, the reader of the novel is never called to answer any of the alien mysteries. In other words, the reader's guesses are as good as anyone else's. However, some of the questions posed...