Lotus Caves Christopher NW 206 [Paperback]

John Christopher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 1975

Rebelling against the monotonous life of the moon colony, two boys go beyond its boundaries and discover a series of caves ruled by a super-intelligent plant-like being.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Publishers (September 8, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435122061
• ISBN-13: 978-0435122065
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,615,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging story that asks a challenging question, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lotus Caves (Hardcover)

I've lost count of how many times I've read this book. Before I went off to college, I used to read this to my little brother and sister, and everyone I've shared it with loved it. It really leaves you a lot to think about, long after you've turned the last page. The book explores a theme that is common in many of JC's books: what is freedom, and where does one draw the line between freedom and pleasant captivity? The issue is more complicated than it initially appears, and the reader is forced to ask where (s)he draws the line in her/his own life -- and, more importantly -- is this line correct in principle? It is this issue, as well as the very engaging storyline, that has kept me thinking about the book and reading it over again. I highly recommend this book to all people of all age groups. Also, if you like this book, you will most likely enjoy "The Guardians" by John Christopher, which further explores this issue of freedom.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Under the surface..., January 6, 2000

By 

Greg Hughes - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lotus Caves (Hardcover)

Life on the moon is boring. People live in a constant, artificial environment called the Bubble, where nothing can afford to be wasted. Marty was born on the moon, and he had never been to Earth. He makes friends with a misfit called Steve. They steal a crawler and go joyriding outside the Bubble.

When the crawler crashes through the moon's surface they find a very strange world indeed...

This is an interesting book about life in the future, but it wasn't as action packed as the Tripods Trilogy. Maybe because there aren't as many characters, or there isn't as much variety with location.

The book was published the same year Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon. The Lotus Caves is set nearly 100 years after that event.

It's an interesting idea that verdant beauty could exist beneath something so arid and featureless. But recently scientists discovered water beneath the moon's surface, so maybe John Christopher wasn't so wide of the mark with this story.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What is Freedom?, September 17, 2006

By 

J. Brian Watkins (Laie, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lotus Caves (Paperback)

This story of two boys having an adventure on the lunar surface is a first-rate piece of science fiction. Like L'Engle's "Wrinkle in Time," though ostensibly for younger readers, Mr. Christopher's work is much deeper than it otherwise appears and can be profitably read by both children and adults. It is the rare and talented author who can pull that off successfully. The touchstone of fine science fiction, in any genre, is whether the story ages gracefully--hard to define, but you know it when you see it. Originality is also essential, nothing says cheesy quite like the umpteenth Star Wars ripoff; I am your father! Save understandably mistaken speculation on the future of Pan-Am and global telecommunications, Kubrick's 2001 could be released today over 30 years later and still seem fresh--both because it was original and because it was absolutely faithful to the world it purported to represent. So too is Lotus Caves, in fact, I'm hard-pressed to think of an analogous story--though perhaps there is a flavor of Forbidden Planet in the idea of unlimited available resources.

Lotus Caves presents the genie who can grant your wishes--whether the genie is an alien or advanced technology, the question remains as to whether we require adversity and hardship in order to thrive and experience true happiness. The story presents overlapping themes in this direction and the strength of the writing is evident in the degree to which the various characters' experiences reinforce each other.

Science-fiction is an excellent storytelling medium because the author can set up a world ready made for his plot. Here we have two young boys growing up in a lunar settlement--bored and looking for new experiences and adventure while at the same time pushing the limits of their freedom and the rules of the society in which they live. What they find is going to teach them something about having what you wish for.

What is even better is that you can give this great little book to a young reader and not worry about the profane dialogue and R-rated material that seems to infest more recent works.