Childhood's End (Unabridged ed)

When the silent spacecraft arrived and took the light from the world, no one knew what to expect.

When the Overlords finally showed themselves it was a shock, but one that humankind could now cope with, and an era of peace, prosperity and endless leisure began.

But the children of this utopia dream strange dreams of distant suns and alien planets, and soon they will be ready to join the Overmind ...and, in a grand and thrilling metaphysical climax, leave the Earth behind.