Earth has become a Utopia, guided by a strange unseen people from outer space whose staggering powers have eradicated war, cruelty, poverty and racial inequality. When the 'Overlords' finally reveal themselves, their horrific form makes little impression.

Then comes the sign that the Overlords have been waiting for. A child begins to dream strangely - and develops remarkable powers. Soon this happens to every child - and the truth of the Overlords' mission is finally revealed to the human race. . .

A classic of the science fiction genre, Childhood's End is an intelligent, beautifully written exploration of what it means to be human from the inimitable Arthur C. Clarke. Now adapted as a three-part miniseries on Sky.

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke was a British science-fiction author, who won innumerable international awards for his fiction and science writing. He was described by the New York Times as being "awesomely informed about physics and blessed with one of the most astounding imaginations ever encountered in print." He wrote the scrrenplay for the hugely influential Stanley Kubrick film, 2001: A Space Oddyssey, as well as numerous science fiction novels, including the sci-fi classic Childhood's End. He moved to live in Sri Lanka in 1956, and remained there until his death, aged ninety, in 2008.