The City and the Stars

"The City and the Stars" is a science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke set in a distant future where Earth’s city, Diaspar, is a nearly immortal, highly advanced metropolis. Humanity lives in comfort, protected from the outside world, which is considered dangerous and uninhabitable. The story follows Alvin, a unique individual who questions this way of life and explores the universe beyond the city. The novel explores themes of human curiosity, technological progress, and the balance between security and freedom, raising questions about identity, purpose, and our place in the cosmos.