2001: A Space Odyssey by arthur c. clarke

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

DNF: 35%

This book was truly and utterly so fucking BORING! It's astonishing how an author could take the amazing wonders of space, the thrilling uncertainty of life existing away from our beloved earth, and the dangerous yet fascinating premises of extraterrestrial beings and manage to make it less interesting than the mundane task of counting the paint dimples in your ceiling!? Arthur C. Clarke, it seems, is that very author. One would expect a work centered around such captivating themes to be a page-turner, filled with excitement and intrigue. However, this book fails miserably in that regard. The story lacks the necessary pacing and depth to engage the reader. The descriptions are dull, and the characters lack the charm and vitality to make them relatable. It's a real disappointment, especially considering the potential that this subject matter holds.

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YetaiChu

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

5 Stars for 2001: A Space Odyssey (audiobook) by Arthur C. Clark read by Dick Hill.

This is without a doubt a classic. What makes this audiobook truly special is that at the beginning of the book, Arthur C. Clark shares his experience of collaborating with Stanley Kubrick on creating the movie. He reveals how they desperately needed a novel to be written in order to have a better understanding of what would work for the screenplay.

It's fascinating to note that this book isn't a mere novelization or an earlier work that was adapted into a movie. Instead, it was specifically crafted to provide a unique perspective on the story. Listening to Clark explain the background and thought process behind the creation of this iconic work is truly a great experience.

The audiobook, with Dick Hill's excellent narration, brings the story to life in a whole new way. It allows listeners to immerse themselves in the world of 2001: A Space Odyssey and gain a deeper appreciation for the genius of Arthur C. Clark.

Overall, this audiobook is a must-listen for fans of science fiction and anyone interested in the creative process behind one of the greatest movies of all time.

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PoisonSunflower

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Please don't be deterred by this book simply because it belongs to the Science-Fiction genre and you have the impression that you might not fully understand it. You don't necessarily have to have a complete understanding of something to be able to perceive its beauty.

I must admit that the only aspect that slightly detracted from this book was the lack of character development or character connection. I firmly believe that if the author had dedicated a bit more attention to the characters, this could have easily been a 5-star read.

HAL was undoubtedly my favorite character. What makes this book truly stand out is the beauty it manages to create within the desolation of space. I won't pretend that I always knew precisely what was going on, but that really didn't matter because it was simply beautiful. It not only makes me eager to learn more about the mysteries of the universe but also gives me a bit of a scare.

When you consider the era in which this book was written, it is truly astonishing how much the author knew and how many things they seemingly predicted. This book could have been written just yesterday and it would still be highly impressive. I would definitely consider re-reading it, perhaps after I have acquired a bit more knowledge, and I believe it could have an even greater impact on me then.

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eduardico21

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

4.0 Stars

I am truly delighted to pen down my thoughts on this classic science fiction story. As I had never watched the movie adaptation, I approached this reading with a completely open mind and no prior expectations. The very first section of the story was, without a doubt, the most captivating part. It all began with that incredibly powerful and engaging first line, which immediately hooked me and made me eager to explore further.

However, as the story progressed into the second part, there was a significant shift in the narrative. But to my pleasant surprise, it still managed to maintain a high level of compellingness. The author's ability to take the story in a new direction while keeping the reader's interest piqued is truly remarkable.

Overall, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. It has not only entertained me but also left me with a strong desire to read more works by this talented author. I am excited to see what other imaginative and thought-provoking stories this author has in store for us.

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Ayjh

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Would it be strange to say that HAL is my favorite character from 2001: A Space Odyssey? I work in the AI & Software industry, and it's truly captivating to study people's bold yet realistic imaginations about technology, especially in the supercomputer field, AI, and other intricate programming concepts. When I read this book, I always anticipate Chapter 27. It's a short chapter written from HAL's perspective, where Arthur C. Clarke discloses to us exciting ideas about this high-performance artificial mind. HAL has an artificial thought process similar to ours, and sometimes, it's even a million times better. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that the supercomputer is very much alive and aware of its surroundings, a creation designed for a crucial mission, programmed to safeguard the mission's secrets from astronauts Poole and Bowman.

More on HAL

Lying to HAL's crewmates has made the AI imperfect, giving it a sense of wrongness, similar to guilt. In chapter 27, HAL often ponders about keeping the mission's secrets from Poole and Bowman.

It has the effect that HAL contemplates killing the other members since the crew sleeping in the hibernaculum knows the mission secrets. Because David wants to wake up a crew member (Whitehead) from hibernation, the AI sees it as a direct threat to the mission. The conflict between truth and the concealment of fact alters his directive.

In case of the ultimate emergency, he is ready to take control of the mission, unhindered and alone. If I'm not mistaken, the movie fails to effectively convey what is happening with HAL's programming.

Humanity may not have advanced as much in the space industry. However, we have indeed come a long way in technology, and we still have a long path to traverse if one day we hope to develop a conscious computer like HAL. That is, if we manage to do it without fearing that a conscious computer might one day overthrow humanity's rule. I'll leave now.

Based on its algorithmic coding, we can have countless discussions about why HAL is not the story's antagonist but is simply conflicted with its responsibilities.

The second time around, I enjoyed it even more ☺️

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Seegreenee45

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

An enchanting First Contact.

If you are new to science fiction, this is likely one of those novels that you should begin with. You will not be disappointed, and perhaps you will uncover a literary genre that has been unjustly overlooked. Clarke truly shows himself to be a reliable author, presenting excellent ideas and themes that both fascinate and astonish the reader. By the conclusion of the reading, you will find yourself posing numerous questions regarding the meaning of the text and the profundity of its message. Just as in "The guide of the sunset", in this novel too, the writer centers his story on humanity, its evolution, and its future. Do not anticipate action-packed scenes or lightsabers. This is a different kind of science fiction, similar to that of Asimov, Lem, and Herbert. In short, it is the kind with a capital F. It is an unmissable read that will surely capture your imagination and leave you pondering long after you have turned the final page.

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SpinachGreen

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Although technically belonging to the Sci-Fi genre, Clarke's vision holds far more significance than anything similar. It is imbued with deep spiritual and philosophical undertones that truly expand one's mind, not only to the vast outer reaches of space and beyond but also to our civilization and its place in the universe. From the dawn of humanity to our encounter with HAL, we are ultimately propelled at light speed through a kaleidoscopic torrent of perpetual motion towards a rebirth and an answer to a question that nearly everyone ponders at some point in their lives: Are we alone? And what exactly lies out there? Stanley Kubrick deserves credit for both the success of the book and his astonishing, mind-blowing film. If he had never written to Arthur C. Clarke in 1964 seeking ideas for a film, nothing would have come to fruition. The rest, of course, is history.

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RarestProGamer

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

In intervals, I always read through this Space Odyssey again and again. And even now, I can only say that Arthur C. Clarke is a god in the sci-fi sky for me

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Space Odyssey #1

2001: A Space Odyssey

arthur c. clarke

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Heywood Floyd

Hal 9000

Dave Bowman

Frank Poole

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arthur c. clarke

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