Author: Arthur C. Clarke
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Publication Year: 2000
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 297
On the Moon, an enigma is uncovered.
So great are the implications of this discovery that for the first time men are sent out deep into our solar system.
But long before their destination is reached, things begin to go horribly, inexplicably wrong...
One of the greatest-selling science fiction novels of our time, this classic book will grip you to the very end.
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2001: A Space Odyssey is a well-known sci-fi movie. It’s even considered as
a game changer movie in the sci-fi genre. I didn’t know that there’s a book
version of the story. It’s not really an adaptation or novelization because
the book was developed concurrently with the screenplay. Although the book
and the movie were released a long time ago in 1968, I didn’t really know
what the story is about. I was interested in watching the movie, but got
intimidated because I heard people said that it’s confusing. If it wasn’t
for a readathon, I wouldn’t even pick up this book.
In short, this book is about space exploration and technology advancement.
2001: A Space Odyssey begins with a group of hominids in the prehistoric
era. A black monolith came out of nowhere and somehow helped them to awaken
their intelligence. Fast forward million years later, humanity now capable
of doing space travel. Some scientists found an artifact on the moon similar
to the monolith. The monolith emitted radio transmission which the
scientists suspected was directed at one of Saturn’s moons. Therefore, a
mission was conducted to investigate it. A spaceship called Discovery One
was sent to Saturn. Aboard the ship were five crews helped by an artificial
intelligence called HAL.
From the premise, it’s obvious that this book explores humanity
technological advancement. It could be hopeful and promising, but it could
also be dangerous. In the first part of the book we see how technology, no
matter how simple it is, could help better our lives and increase our life
expectancy. However, as the story progresses we also see that it could
backfire and endanger us as the creator of said technology. 2001: A Space
Odyssey also shows the excitement of space exploration. Every time I read a
sci-fi book written a long time ago, I often forget that it’s written even
before the related technology is invented. It always impresses me how the
author is way ahead of his/ her time. It’s inspiring and I think that’s what
drives me to read sci-fi books; the promise that such technology could exist
in the future.
I must say, the pacing of this book is slow and sometimes the description of
the technology can be dragging and boring. Still, if you’re into sci-fi, I
definitely recommend this book to read. After reading this book, I don’t
feel intimidated by the movie anymore. Another thing, this book apparently
has sequels. Will I read the sequels? I’m not really sure because it’s not
like this book ends with a cliffhanger. Maybe someday if I feel like reading
a space exploration sci-fi book; but the movie? I intend to watch it soon.
‘Unlike the animals, who knew only the present, Man had acquired a past; and he was beginning to grope toward a future.’
