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Chivers Press
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Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML:The celebrated author continues his Space Odyssey with this Hugo Award winner: "A daring romp through the solar system and a worthy successor to 2001" (Carl Sagan). In 1968, Arthur C. Clarke's bestselling 2001: A Space Odyssey captivated the world and was adapted into the classic film by Stanley Kubrick. Fourteen years later, fans and critics were thrilled by the release of 2010: Odyssey Two. Nine years after the ill-fated Discovery One mission to Jupiter, a joint Soviet-American crew travels to the planet to investigate the mysterious monolith orbiting the planet, the cause of the earlier mission's failure�??and what became of astronaut David Bowman. The crew includes project expert Heywood Floyd, and Dr. Chandra, the creator of HAL 9000. What they discover is an unsettling alien conspiracy tampering with the evolution of life on Jupiter's moons as well as that of humanity itself. Meanwhile, the being that was once Dave Bowman�??the only human to unlock the mystery of the monolith�??streaks toward Earth on a vital mission of its own . . . "Clarke deftly blends discovery, philosophy, and a newly acquired sense of play." �??Time "2010 is easily Clarke's best book in over a decade." �??The San Diego Uni… (more)
Media reviews
MEMO TO: Sr. Jorge Luiz Calife of Rio de Janeiro RE: Advisability of sequel to ''2001: A Space Odyssey.'' According to a note at the end of Arthur C. Clarke's new novel, you are partly responsible for persuading the author that a sequel to ''2001'' would be a good idea, long after Mr. Clarke had
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concluded that such a sequel would be ''clearly impossible.'' I don't know exactly what you said to him in your letter, Sr. Calife, but I wish you hadn't. Show Less
Clarke deftly blends discovery, philosophy and a newly acquired sense of play that manifests itself in references to films like Alien and Star Wars, and snippets from recent headlines. If, by the end, he leaves readers as bewildered as his astronauts, they can at least claim to have been better
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entertained. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member paradoxosalpha
Arthur C. Clarke's "Odyssey sequence" straddles strangely the media of cinema features and text novels. 2001: A Space Odyssey was plotted by the author in collaboration with filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and then written in dialogue with the production of the movie. The mutually-informing parallel
In fairness, it's likely that many more people saw the 2001 movie than read the novel. So the choice made sense for their sake as potential 2010 readers also. Still, it creates some strangeness for a 21st-century reader now approaching the books as a series.
After reading 2001 and detecting an esoteric pattern in its structure, I wondered if there would be similar references and effects in the next book. I believe there are. The most conspicuous of these is the title shared by the final section and its last chapter: "Lucifer Rising." While it seems unlikely that Clarke took this title from the 1972 avant-garde film by Kenneth Anger, they may have had some occult inspiration in common. Another echo of magick was in the title of the second section "Tsien" (the name of the Chinese spaceship in the story) after the onetime GALCIT rocketry colleague of Jack Parsons in Pasadena.
The central character of 2010 is Heywood Floyd, the protagonist of the early lunar "TMA-1" section of 2001. Understood via a Rosicrucian-Thelemite template, Floyd is an astronaut-initiate who becomes an adept by means of his 2010 adventure to Jupiter, in a mission to recover the lost Discovery and to advance human knowledge regarding the great black monolith at the Lagrange-1 point in the Jupiter-Io system. The Star Child who had been Dave Bowman serves as a magus of the ineffable gods, giving a Word to humanity, who struggle to comprehend it.
Floyd's 2010 expedition is a joint USSR-USA undertaking, which had become historically impossible before the end of the 20th century. But Clarke could duck any plot adjustments for those political eventualities in the next book 2061: Odyssey Three, which he managed to write a few years prior to the end of the Soviet Union. Of greater concern to Clarke was accounting for scientific developments, especially the 1979 disclosures from the probe Voyager.
Although the pacing and voice of 2010 are very similar to those of 2001, I thought the effect of the second book was much different than the first. Bowman's ascension had been awfully lonely. The crew of the Leontov, by contrast, produce two marriages, and they witness the appearance of a new "companion" on an astronomical scale, and even the solitary Star Child redeems an old friend in 2010.
Although I know that the set-up in the first two books differs enough from the reality of our 21st century that 2061 will tell an impossible tale, I am looking forward to the first book of the sequence that we haven't already caught up with on the calendar.
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products were not identical; a few significant differences separated their plots. Clarke's book 2010: Odyssey Two is a sequel to the 2001 movie. In every case where narrative continuity forces him to choose, he follows the film. No doubt he was motivated by the hope (fulfilled in 1984) that 2010 would also be a movie, and he wanted to make the book digestible into a screenplay without extra retconning.In fairness, it's likely that many more people saw the 2001 movie than read the novel. So the choice made sense for their sake as potential 2010 readers also. Still, it creates some strangeness for a 21st-century reader now approaching the books as a series.
After reading 2001 and detecting an esoteric pattern in its structure, I wondered if there would be similar references and effects in the next book. I believe there are. The most conspicuous of these is the title shared by the final section and its last chapter: "Lucifer Rising." While it seems unlikely that Clarke took this title from the 1972 avant-garde film by Kenneth Anger, they may have had some occult inspiration in common. Another echo of magick was in the title of the second section "Tsien" (the name of the Chinese spaceship in the story) after the onetime GALCIT rocketry colleague of Jack Parsons in Pasadena.
The central character of 2010 is Heywood Floyd, the protagonist of the early lunar "TMA-1" section of 2001. Understood via a Rosicrucian-Thelemite template, Floyd is an astronaut-initiate who becomes an adept by means of his 2010 adventure to Jupiter, in a mission to recover the lost Discovery and to advance human knowledge regarding the great black monolith at the Lagrange-1 point in the Jupiter-Io system. The Star Child who had been Dave Bowman serves as a magus of the ineffable gods, giving a Word to humanity, who struggle to comprehend it.
Floyd's 2010 expedition is a joint USSR-USA undertaking, which had become historically impossible before the end of the 20th century. But Clarke could duck any plot adjustments for those political eventualities in the next book 2061: Odyssey Three, which he managed to write a few years prior to the end of the Soviet Union. Of greater concern to Clarke was accounting for scientific developments, especially the 1979 disclosures from the probe Voyager.
Although the pacing and voice of 2010 are very similar to those of 2001, I thought the effect of the second book was much different than the first. Bowman's ascension had been awfully lonely. The crew of the Leontov, by contrast, produce two marriages, and they witness the appearance of a new "companion" on an astronomical scale, and even the solitary Star Child redeems an old friend in 2010.
Although I know that the set-up in the first two books differs enough from the reality of our 21st century that 2061 will tell an impossible tale, I am looking forward to the first book of the sequence that we haven't already caught up with on the calendar.
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LibraryThing member aethercowboy
The first sequel to Clarke's stunning Space Odyssey series, 2010 takes us on a second journey to the distant Solar worlds. In a retroactive change, instead of Saturn, Discovery One is now floating around Jupiter.
Floyd, from the first book, as well as Chandra and several soviet cosmonauts, set off
It is here that they discover more than just an abandoned space ship. They discover an event that will change the Solar system as they know it.
This book brings more insight into the Star Child, as well as a glimpse into extra terrestrial intelligence. Clark is able to write convincing characters dealing with plausible science problems, and his books never cease to be entertaining.
I recommend this book to you if you enjoyed the first one, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Floyd, from the first book, as well as Chandra and several soviet cosmonauts, set off
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on a journey to Jupiter to investigate what happened to Bowman when his transmissions ceased.It is here that they discover more than just an abandoned space ship. They discover an event that will change the Solar system as they know it.
This book brings more insight into the Star Child, as well as a glimpse into extra terrestrial intelligence. Clark is able to write convincing characters dealing with plausible science problems, and his books never cease to be entertaining.
I recommend this book to you if you enjoyed the first one, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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LibraryThing member JGolomb
"2010 - Odyssey Two" is a strong sequel to Arthur C. Clarke's renowned "2001 - A Space Odyssey". The story is well-crafted and the plot moves briskly, which makes for an enjoyable read. It's not deep on character development, and the action is infrequent, but delivered smartly and purposefully to
Like the first novel, Clarke crafts his story and writing very deliberately to create a heavy and epic atmosphere. His primary theme revolves around evolution, and builds upon the mythology he created in "2001" by expanding on the role played by the unseen aliens in planting and encouraging life throughout the universe, including Earth and elsewhere within our own solar system.
He spends just enough time on backstory to refresh readers on the salient points from the first book, but more importantly, provides a legend (within one of two foreword's/author's notes in this specific edition) to where the author followed storylines from his original novel, or from the famous movie which contained slight modifications.
And yes, Clarke provides satisfying answers to many of the questions left without conclusion in the first book and movie.
Clarke returns Dr. Heywood Floyd in this space-traveling saga, but this time in the lead role. He and two other Americans join a Russian crew aboard a starship headed to Jupiter to connect with the presumably abandoned and derelict 'Discovery', obtain information about the Monolith and find out what happened to lost crewman Dave Bowman.
Dr. Floyd is a strong lead and the most three-dimensional of all characters in the story. His motivation for leaving his family on the very long journey: "Four men had died, and one had disappeared, out there among the moons of Jupiter. There was blood on his hands, and he did not know how to wash them clean."
The trademark of great storytelling is the ability to convey ideas and themes through demonstration rather than outright telling. As a reader, I'd rather come to understand a characters' nature and motivations through the demonstration of certain behaviors and backstory, rather than be spoon-fed and literally told of one's characteristics. Clarke does a nice job of layering on the flesh of Dr. Floyd early in the story, and continuing to build as the plot progresses. None of the other characters on board the Russian craft are more than two dimensional, which increases the focus of the novel on Floyd, Star-Child/Post-Human Dave Bowman, and perhaps the story's central character: Jupiter and its moons.
Among the Americans is Dr. Chandra, the parent/inventor of HAL9000, the 'Discovery's' near-sentient ship-computer that killed its original crew, which led Bowman to decommission its' cognizance. Chandra plays a key role as he works to restart HAL with the hope that he can help guide the ship back to earth, but also to shed light on why it developed the compu-psychoses that led to its' violent behavior. Chandra is drawn as the lovingly patient and near-obsessed parent focused on nurturing his lost child. The relationship between Chandra and HAL generate some terrific scenes throughout the book as HALs personality reemerges, including the first time it awakens from it's 9-year-long sleep: "Good morning, Dr. Chandra. This is Hal. I am ready for my first lesson."
Dr. Floyd notices and comments on Dr. Chandra's work: "...to watch the steady regrowth of Hal's personality, from brain-damaged child to puzzled adolescent and at length to slightly condescending adult." "(It's like) disturbed youngsters were straightened out by all-wise descendants of the legendary Sigmund Freud! Essentially the same story was being played out in the shadow of Jupiter." The Chandra-HAL relationship creates tension within the plot as the crew can never fully trust HAL following his behavior in "2001".
"2001" concluded with the Monolith's aliens shedding Bowman of his human form and 'raising' him up to a being that needs no real form, but exists as pure energy. This evolved Bowman returns in "2010" and acts as Clarke's guide to Jupiter and it's moons. He uses Bowman's exploration as a means to delve into the physical nature of those celestial bodies and postulation on what life could exist in those extreme environments. The exposition is detailed and written with a poetic flourish.
Bowman is the evolutionary result of the experiments performed on the pre human man-apes by the Monolith millions of years ago, and famously portrayed in the original movie. In "2010", he becomes aware of how the alien beings introduced life and evolution throughout the universe, and monitor their progression over millions of years. These aliens are, for all intents and purposes, God.
Clarke writes that the aliens, "...in all the galaxy, they had found nothing more precious than Mind, they encouraged its dawning everywhere. They became farmers in the fields of stars; they sowed, and sometimes they reaped."
More ominously, he continues, "And sometimes, dispassionately, they had to weed."
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provide the fuel for an interesting plot, expansive exposition of space, and exploration of key themes. Like the first novel, Clarke crafts his story and writing very deliberately to create a heavy and epic atmosphere. His primary theme revolves around evolution, and builds upon the mythology he created in "2001" by expanding on the role played by the unseen aliens in planting and encouraging life throughout the universe, including Earth and elsewhere within our own solar system.
He spends just enough time on backstory to refresh readers on the salient points from the first book, but more importantly, provides a legend (within one of two foreword's/author's notes in this specific edition) to where the author followed storylines from his original novel, or from the famous movie which contained slight modifications.
And yes, Clarke provides satisfying answers to many of the questions left without conclusion in the first book and movie.
Clarke returns Dr. Heywood Floyd in this space-traveling saga, but this time in the lead role. He and two other Americans join a Russian crew aboard a starship headed to Jupiter to connect with the presumably abandoned and derelict 'Discovery', obtain information about the Monolith and find out what happened to lost crewman Dave Bowman.
Dr. Floyd is a strong lead and the most three-dimensional of all characters in the story. His motivation for leaving his family on the very long journey: "Four men had died, and one had disappeared, out there among the moons of Jupiter. There was blood on his hands, and he did not know how to wash them clean."
The trademark of great storytelling is the ability to convey ideas and themes through demonstration rather than outright telling. As a reader, I'd rather come to understand a characters' nature and motivations through the demonstration of certain behaviors and backstory, rather than be spoon-fed and literally told of one's characteristics. Clarke does a nice job of layering on the flesh of Dr. Floyd early in the story, and continuing to build as the plot progresses. None of the other characters on board the Russian craft are more than two dimensional, which increases the focus of the novel on Floyd, Star-Child/Post-Human Dave Bowman, and perhaps the story's central character: Jupiter and its moons.
Among the Americans is Dr. Chandra, the parent/inventor of HAL9000, the 'Discovery's' near-sentient ship-computer that killed its original crew, which led Bowman to decommission its' cognizance. Chandra plays a key role as he works to restart HAL with the hope that he can help guide the ship back to earth, but also to shed light on why it developed the compu-psychoses that led to its' violent behavior. Chandra is drawn as the lovingly patient and near-obsessed parent focused on nurturing his lost child. The relationship between Chandra and HAL generate some terrific scenes throughout the book as HALs personality reemerges, including the first time it awakens from it's 9-year-long sleep: "Good morning, Dr. Chandra. This is Hal. I am ready for my first lesson."
Dr. Floyd notices and comments on Dr. Chandra's work: "...to watch the steady regrowth of Hal's personality, from brain-damaged child to puzzled adolescent and at length to slightly condescending adult." "(It's like) disturbed youngsters were straightened out by all-wise descendants of the legendary Sigmund Freud! Essentially the same story was being played out in the shadow of Jupiter." The Chandra-HAL relationship creates tension within the plot as the crew can never fully trust HAL following his behavior in "2001".
"2001" concluded with the Monolith's aliens shedding Bowman of his human form and 'raising' him up to a being that needs no real form, but exists as pure energy. This evolved Bowman returns in "2010" and acts as Clarke's guide to Jupiter and it's moons. He uses Bowman's exploration as a means to delve into the physical nature of those celestial bodies and postulation on what life could exist in those extreme environments. The exposition is detailed and written with a poetic flourish.
Bowman is the evolutionary result of the experiments performed on the pre human man-apes by the Monolith millions of years ago, and famously portrayed in the original movie. In "2010", he becomes aware of how the alien beings introduced life and evolution throughout the universe, and monitor their progression over millions of years. These aliens are, for all intents and purposes, God.
Clarke writes that the aliens, "...in all the galaxy, they had found nothing more precious than Mind, they encouraged its dawning everywhere. They became farmers in the fields of stars; they sowed, and sometimes they reaped."
More ominously, he continues, "And sometimes, dispassionately, they had to weed."
Show Less
LibraryThing member jolerie
...And because in all the galaxy, they had found nothing more precious than Mind, they encouraged its dawning everywhere. They became farmers in the fields of stars; they sowed, and sometimes they reaped.
And sometimes, dispassionately, they had to weed.
Heywood Floyd and a crew of Russian
The second instalment of Odyssey series is just as good, if not better than 2001: A Space Odyssey. Questions and mysteries left unanswered in the first book are explained in 2010, but like any compelling story, events that transpire in the book lead us to ask even more questions. The subtle presence of an intelligence higher than our own creates an enjoyable tension that undoubtedly will leave me searching for the explanations in the subsequent followup books in the series. I have a sense, the journey is just beginning and I can't wait to see how Clarke will resolve the age old question - are we alone, and if we are not, who is out there and what do they want with us?
And sometimes, dispassionately, they had to weed.
Heywood Floyd and a crew of Russian
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astronauts are on a mission to the outer reaches of our solar system to retrieve a dilapidated spaceship and to salvage whatever information that was left behind by the long dead crew of the Discovery. Furthermore, they are to monitor and study the twin monolith, dubbed Big Brother that has been circulating Jupiter since the discovery of an exact replica was unearthed on Earth's moon. The mission should be a routine event with their objectives clearly defined and outlined by mission control on earth but everything begins to unravel when Floyd receives an ominous warning from a crew member on the Discovery, who should by all accounts be dead. With an unknown threat forcing the team to abort the mission early, the crew of the Russian spaceship Leonov unexpectedly become front row spectators in the cataclysmic destruction of Jupiter and the creation of a new star within our own solar system. The question of whether we are truly alone in the universe is answered; the answer a loud and resounding no.The second instalment of Odyssey series is just as good, if not better than 2001: A Space Odyssey. Questions and mysteries left unanswered in the first book are explained in 2010, but like any compelling story, events that transpire in the book lead us to ask even more questions. The subtle presence of an intelligence higher than our own creates an enjoyable tension that undoubtedly will leave me searching for the explanations in the subsequent followup books in the series. I have a sense, the journey is just beginning and I can't wait to see how Clarke will resolve the age old question - are we alone, and if we are not, who is out there and what do they want with us?
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
sadly, I think this account of the Russian expedition to discover what happened to the first of the monolith seeking ships, is flat and badly written for a book by Arthur Clarke. One persists in the series out of gratitude for the first book
LibraryThing member Valleyguy
A good follow up to the first book. The first is s masterpiece without any real character development, while this book is not a masterpiece, it has much better character development and was very enjoyable to read. I was confused at first why the author chose Jupiter for the site of the book, rather
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than Saturn like the first book did, but then I read the foreword, where Clarke explains that he made this change to both match the movie and current scientific knowledge. This didn't detract any from the book. It was still smart, fascinating and fun to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member DirtPriest
As a novel, 2001 is by far the best of the series, the other books simply relay certain events of a future that is completely believeable and realistic. As individual books, though, the sequels are lagging in the quality department, relative to 2001. That one should be required reading for anyone
2010 tells the story of the monoliths activating and creating a new sun out of Jupiter (sort of a spoiler, but I felt like I had read the book before somewhere the whole time and knew it was going to happen. Just not how. Oh yeah, and showing how the Russians and Americans can cooperate...
An odd thing to quantify, how to phrase a recommendation of the series. They are good stories from a great imagination, but if SF isn't your cup of tea then the sequels are honestly best left at the bookstore. They are simply a vehicle for his idea of a future world of space faring and space living humans, really.
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who considers themselves a SF fan, but the sequels exist only for the readers interested enough to see what a genius like Clark can imagine.2010 tells the story of the monoliths activating and creating a new sun out of Jupiter (sort of a spoiler, but I felt like I had read the book before somewhere the whole time and knew it was going to happen. Just not how. Oh yeah, and showing how the Russians and Americans can cooperate...
An odd thing to quantify, how to phrase a recommendation of the series. They are good stories from a great imagination, but if SF isn't your cup of tea then the sequels are honestly best left at the bookstore. They are simply a vehicle for his idea of a future world of space faring and space living humans, really.
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LibraryThing member TheTwoDs
A sequel more to the film of 2001: A Space Odyssey than to the accompanying novel, 2010 returns us to Jupiter in an attempt to recover the abandoned spaceship Discovery and attempt to determine what went wrong with HAL, what happened to astronaut David Bowman and to investigate the monolith. Along
While this novel includes some of Clarke's trademark "big ideas" about science and the future, this is more of a plot driven thriller set in space than a philosophizing meditation on the nature of humanity. True, questions about what it means to be human, in relationship to the artificial intelligence of HAL, do arise, but seem secondary to the narrative propelling the plot. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Fans of the original book and film will appreciate and enjoy this sequel, though those familiar with the film made from this book will find several details changed, the largest being the state of near-war between the US and USSR in the film does not exist in the book.
While not nearly the masterpiece of science fiction which 2001 was, 2010 is a captivating sequel told in a fast pace and easy-going voice. Recommended for fans of good quality science fiction, though most of them have probably read it.
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the way we discover life on Europa and almost supernatural events begin to occur.While this novel includes some of Clarke's trademark "big ideas" about science and the future, this is more of a plot driven thriller set in space than a philosophizing meditation on the nature of humanity. True, questions about what it means to be human, in relationship to the artificial intelligence of HAL, do arise, but seem secondary to the narrative propelling the plot. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Fans of the original book and film will appreciate and enjoy this sequel, though those familiar with the film made from this book will find several details changed, the largest being the state of near-war between the US and USSR in the film does not exist in the book.
While not nearly the masterpiece of science fiction which 2001 was, 2010 is a captivating sequel told in a fast pace and easy-going voice. Recommended for fans of good quality science fiction, though most of them have probably read it.
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LibraryThing member johncf1018
A good book which closely follows the structure, if not the content, of its predecessor. It's actually based on the version of events which takes place in the movie version of 2001: A Space Odyssey which are significantly different than the events in the book. This slight schizophrenia aside, the
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book is a solid work that presents a solid, otherwise hard scifi story with just a hint of the fantastic. Despite the very similar structure it avoids mere repetition. I enjoyed but did not love this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member isabelx
The story of the Russian-American mission to Jupiter to retrieve the Discovery, find out why HAL went crazy, and study the huge monolith orbiting Io. It's an interesting story, but padded out by too many passages lifted directly from "2001: A Space Odyssey". There is even a passage describing the
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four largest moons of Jupiter that occurs twice, almost unchanged; first when the Leonov arrives, and again when the Star Child visits the same moons. It just seems a bit lazy to me. Show Less
LibraryThing member Anagarika-Sean
Another great book in the series. Does not disappoint.
LibraryThing member cleverusername2
Earlier this year I made a vow to read all of the Space Odyssey books before 2010. I'm very glad I could revisit this particular book which I read halfway as s teenager, as the movie version is one of my favorite science fiction films of all time. 2010 has more action and dramatic tension than its
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predecessor. Clarke really got it right this time. Contrasted with the characters from 2001 Floyd, Curnow, and the other Russian and American characters seem more like real people with real feelings. There is a scene involving a Chinese astronaut stranded on the Jovian moon Europa that is particularly heartbreaking. There is also a payout where we learn more about Bowman's transformation and he too seems a more complex feeling creature in Odyssey Two. I'm a big fan of hard science fiction, where all of the futuristic content can be backed up by solid science or speculation on future technologies. Here we are presented with a story where orbital physics, propellant use and launch windows are major plot points. You won’t get that in Star Wars or Trek. It is also interesting to me that this is a sequel to the movie version of 2001 : a space odyssey rather than the print version, as the location of the second Monolith is Jupiter orbit rather than on a Saturnian moon. It is interesting to compare 2010 to its own movie version. The movie revs up the plot more by making the Monolith more sinister (it takes the life of a cosmonaut) which always kind of bothered me because it didn't jive with the relatively benevolent motives of the finale. Also, the book amps up the Russian-American political tensions back on Earth with a steadily escalating blockade and nuclear war. Politics just doesn't interest Clarke too much beyond some subtle needling that you would expect from a cosmopolitan man of science who is used to working with experts from all nations. As with 2001 it really helps to read the book to get a clearer glimpse of the alien intelligences involved. I highly recommend Odyssey Two. Show Less
LibraryThing member baubie
I found this to be a wonderful sequel to 2001. I enjoy Clarke's writing style and I enjoy that this novel really highlights the SCIENCE in science fiction without becoming gimmicky or name dropping. I'm looking forward to reading 2061 and 3001 after reading this.
LibraryThing member MyopicBookworm
As one might expect, some great ideas in the realm of science; but the cosmic scenario is familiar to readers of Olaf Stapledon (or even H. G Wells), and the narrative is essentially driven by the scientific and technological plot. This gives a sense that the characterization (I wouldn't grace it
MB 12-vi-2013
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with the term "character development") has been bolted on afterwards and (apart from openly acknowledging a bisexual character) hasn't moved on much from the 1960s.MB 12-vi-2013
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LibraryThing member 5hrdrive
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It slows down about half way through but picks up again towards the end. Amazing how much Arthur Clark got right about modern technology all those years ago.
LibraryThing member TadAD
Nope, there shouldn't have been a sequel to 2001. Leaving aside the fact that this book uses the events of the movie as its background rather than the events of the previous novel (did Clarke think Kubrick was a better author than he?), this book is anti-climactic.
One of the great appeals of 2001
One of the great appeals of 2001
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was the aura of mystery. Not everything was explained. The reader was left to guess what this next leap in the evolution of mankind was about. 2010: Odyssey Two brings it all back to the mundane. This book was well-enough written, but that's not enough to make up for what it does to our sense of 2001. Show Less
LibraryThing member andyray
Again, as in the first book, the prose helped me understand things the movie did not.. Methinks I am vowing to read the book before I see the movie. The tremendous difference between reading the story and watching the story is in the former case you, the reader, imagine the visuals. In effect, the
In this story, astronaut Frank Bowman (last heard from as being incorporated into a spiritual entity) returns to our solar system to review his life, say goodby to mom and girlfriend, and help old friends return to earth before his string-handlers (those who created and control him, so to speak) turn Jupiter into a second sun. Neato. I can't wait to see what Clarke cooks up in Odyssey Three!
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tone, temper, color, and persausions of the story are yours. In a film, or other visual, this is all done for you, which is why there is a vocation (that pays fairly well) called a casting director. This person makes sure Dom Delouise doesn't wind up playing Hamlet when he would make a much better Ophelia.In this story, astronaut Frank Bowman (last heard from as being incorporated into a spiritual entity) returns to our solar system to review his life, say goodby to mom and girlfriend, and help old friends return to earth before his string-handlers (those who created and control him, so to speak) turn Jupiter into a second sun. Neato. I can't wait to see what Clarke cooks up in Odyssey Three!
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LibraryThing member rufty
I can't remember anything of the movie it has been so long since I have seen it, so...
This is not a sequel to the book 2001; it is the sequel to the movie 2001. This is an important difference because just having read 2001 the day before, that even with the foreword explaining this I was a bit put
Therefore if you are to read this and are not fluent with the film 2001 I suggest you watch it before reading this.
Now onto the book itself.
Uninspiring. I worry that people new to science fiction will read something like this and be put off. Yes it's average hard sci-fi, but nothing really stood out as being that interesting.
I guess the reason I was unimpressed is because the characterisation was really nothing much to write about; there was no exceptional sense of mystery that wasn't blatantly engineered.
On it's good points I liked the description of the Europan life forms, I was hoping more development would be done on this, but seemingly as part of some grander scheme Clarke had in mind, this was left undeveloped.
This is not a sequel to the book 2001; it is the sequel to the movie 2001. This is an important difference because just having read 2001 the day before, that even with the foreword explaining this I was a bit put
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out by the fact that things had shifted from Saturn to Jupiter. This I can accept and deal with, the only issue I have with this is that there were a few details of what happened with HAL that were different between the 2001 movie and the book that now being more familiar with the book left me confused.Therefore if you are to read this and are not fluent with the film 2001 I suggest you watch it before reading this.
Now onto the book itself.
Uninspiring. I worry that people new to science fiction will read something like this and be put off. Yes it's average hard sci-fi, but nothing really stood out as being that interesting.
I guess the reason I was unimpressed is because the characterisation was really nothing much to write about; there was no exceptional sense of mystery that wasn't blatantly engineered.
On it's good points I liked the description of the Europan life forms, I was hoping more development would be done on this, but seemingly as part of some grander scheme Clarke had in mind, this was left undeveloped.
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LibraryThing member ck2935
Great book and I also really enjoyed the movie. You have to read the books though to really capture what is going on.
LibraryThing member Unforgiven
The best of the four "Odyssey" books by Clarke, I think. I couldn't put it down, and was slightly saddened when it was over. Easily a staple for anyone with any appreciation for good science fiction.
LibraryThing member mykl-s
I seldom like post-lude novels. I liked this one.
LibraryThing member pussreboots
Disappointed that he aligned his sequels with the films, rather than keeping the plot centered on Saturn.
LibraryThing member unclebob53703
Excellent sequel, considerably better than the so-so sequel to the movie.
LibraryThing member ikeman100
Better then I expected. I was afraid this would be a disappointment but I am pleased to be wrong. Not a perfect story but a good one. This is a reminder as to why Clarke was one of the big three Golden Age writers. Having read the RAMA books I should have known he can make a story interesting.
LibraryThing member David_Fosco
A phenomenal continuation of the storyline, and a worthy successor..
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 1983)
Original publication date
1982-10
Local notes
Odyssey Sequence, 2
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Clarke |