Science fiction
Contact
A radio astronomer who has spent her career listening for signals from space finally hears one, from the star Vega. Humanity must decide how to respond to a message that contains instructions for building something.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1985
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 432
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like hopeful, idea-led science fiction about science, faith and being curious.
Skip this if you want action and aliens early, because much of the book is about people debating what to do.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Quick answers about Contact
- What is Contact about?
- A radio astronomer who has spent her career listening for signals from space finally hears one, from the star Vega. Humanity must decide how to respond to a message that contains instructions for building something.
- Who should read Contact?
- Read it if you like hopeful, idea-led science fiction about science, faith and being curious. Skip it if you want action and aliens early, because much of the book is about people debating what to do.
- How long and how fast is Contact?
- It is a slow-paced, medium read of about 432 pages, first published in 1985.
- Does Contact have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow Contact for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Contact; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Contact?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Three-Body Problem, Project Hail Mary, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Contact
-
The Three-Body Problem A darker modern book about humanity's first signals from the stars, with far more dread.
-
Project Hail Mary A more playful, lively story of a human who has to work with an alien to save the world.
-
2001: A Space Odyssey
A more mysterious and visionary take on humanity's encounter with something greater.
Science fiction
