They are actually two different tellings of the same story. I own a hardcover edition that combines Against the Fall of Night with The Lion of Comarre. That was first. The City and the Stars came later when he wanted to tell the story at greater length. In the intro to my hardcover Clarke is clearly bemused that some people prefer the earlier version. (I am one of them.)
nrnrnr t1_iyaqphu wrote
Reply to comment by scobsdoo in Childhood’s End Appreciation by SterlingR3d
They are actually two different tellings of the same story. I own a hardcover edition that combines Against the Fall of Night with The Lion of Comarre. That was first. The City and the Stars came later when he wanted to tell the story at greater length. In the intro to my hardcover Clarke is clearly bemused that some people prefer the earlier version. (I am one of them.)