Rama II was published by Gollancz in 1989, co-authored by Clarke with Gentry Lee (a JPL scientist). Seventy years after Rama I passed through the solar system, a second cylindrical alien vessel — identical in external dimensions — arrives. An international crew is dispatched to explore it. This vessel, however, is not the sterile, museum-like environment that Commander Norton found in the first book. It contains active biological entities (the “biots”), dangerous environments, and evidence that whatever intelligence built the Raman ships is far more interested in the exploring humans than previously assumed.
The novel shifted the Rama series from Clarke’s characteristic philosophical wonder toward more conventional thriller territory, with political intrigue among the crew, romantic subplots, and deaths during the exploration. Lee handled the bulk of the plotting and characterization while Clarke provided scientific concepts and editorial oversight.
Collecting Rama II
First edition (Gollancz, London, 1989): Boards with dust jacket.
Market values:
- UK first edition, fine in jacket: $20–$50
- US first edition (Bantam): $10–$30