Rating: Summary: Intelligent, Technical Sci-Fi Review: This is *the* Science Fiction Story. Everything that a sci-fi enthusiast would crave is in here: an intelligent plot, a technically clean premise, and suspenseful intensity. The enigmatic thoughts of ACC are sprinkled across the novel, provoking the reader into contemplation. But my favorite aspect was HAL, a truly interesting character on his own. All of these factors integrate into an intellectually provocative storyline. I give it my highest possible recommendation.
Rating: Summary: Clarke, Genius and Discoverer Review: I had heard this book was impressive and I have to agree. Clarke's masterpiece was a brilliant journey to the father planet as well as a fascinating look inside the world of interplanetary travel. His ability to place the future away from the present yet make it plausible is just one of the things that define him as a mater of science-fiction. In addition to his well-laid plot, characterization is fine. He could have use one or maybe two more main characters to break up the journey to Jupiter. I can't think of any other sci-fi novelist who could have handled a period of time like that as well as Clarke did. The confrontation with the monoliths defined humanity's boundaries as well as its will to reach further. Bowman was a fine character to become the Star Child for he was alone yet could reach out to the world. Although I have not yet seen the movie, I can't wait to see how Kubrick has handled the awesome task presented by Clarke.
Rating: Summary: Clarke should stay away from writing novels. Review: I'm not about to compare it to the movie, that's not what novels are for. This book, though, is remarkably bland, and lacks any sort of focus. Written awfully literally, it leaves little to the imagination and bores the reader with a word for word, often technical account of what is going on. Clarke lacks even a hint of an interesting writing style, which can be seen in all of his books and often succumbs to creating awfully corny scenerios to liven up this novel.
Rating: Summary: a pretty darn good book Review: If you enjoyed the movie, then the book will help you sort out some of the things that were not clear. This book elaborates on things, much more than the movie did. This can probably be explained by the fact that the screenplay was written by Stanley Kubrick as well as Arthur C. Clarke. On a whole a very enjoyable read.
Rating: Summary: great! Review: This book was the first I read about Sci-Fi, and I love it! The begining and the ending are great, they give you somethig to think about. I recomend it for everyone who likes to read Sci-Fi.
Rating: Summary: An OK Tie-In Review: I see this book as a useful handbook for understanding the film. However, Clarke's treatment is pretty bland. There isn't the penetrating, archetypal feel of Kubrick's masterpiece. (The movie benefited from an almost total lack of dialogue, and a fabulous musical score, both of which this book obviously lack.) This novel seems like merely an interpretation. It is a book that is fun to read, but where is all the philosophical and psychological depth? Its major failure is in trying to be definitive; an open-ended screenplay like 2001 didn't need this approach in its tie-in. Also, shame on Clarke for trying to make money off three mediocre sequels! However, if you like sci-fi, you'll probably enjoy this book, but by no means does it eclipse the movie.
Rating: Summary: The worlds best SF book Review: It's amazing that ACC wrote this book before we reached the moon. Never has a more talanted writer existed on this planet, and this Solar System...
Rating: Summary: An absorbing tale about life and the stars Review: Space Odyssey is a well-told, space-age tale,
with intriguing views about evolution, life and the stars. The book turned out to be much better and different than I expected! If a book's value is judged by how hard it is to put down, then this one is definitely a must-buy, especially if you like SF.
Rating: Summary: A work of a master!! Review: This book is one of the best sci-fi books I have ever read ( I have read it at least five times). I recommend it to everyone
Rating: Summary: One of the best deals, and not just for sci-fi lovers Review: This was the first sci-fi book I read, and reread... I've read it 3 times until now. No other sc-fi book I know even comes close to this book
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