Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #76692 in Books
• Published on: 1997-11-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Synopsis
Arthur C.Clarke's space saga contines in 2061, when an Earth vessel landing on Halley's Comet marks the beginning of another confrontation between Heywood Floyd and David Bowman - or whatever Bowman has become - a newly independent HAL and the unseen alien power that controls the destiny of Earth. Arthur C.Clarke, one of most popular science fiction writers of the 20th century, has written over 50 books including "The City and the Stars", "Rendezvous with Rama", "Childhood's End", "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "2010: Odyssey Two".

Customer Reviews

Dissapointed
I was so dissapointed when I first read 2061. While not a bad book, it just isn't a sequel to the previous two. Most of the story is completely irrelevant to the "Space Odyssey" universe, and I would dare to say that this is a novel that Clarke start writing and after a while he thought, "let's give a commercial title to it, say Odyssey Three". Sure, Clarke's unique style of writing is present, and as a person who read more than 10 of his novels, I would recognize his style with eyes closed. It's just the progression of the story that is so boring.

A good reason to read this (and maybe the only reason to do so), is to move on to "3001" after, which is a superior book.

Disappointing
The novel starts well, involving more human and political affairs than either 2001 or 2010. The plot is less one-dimensional, describing events and sequences that are happening in three or four different places concurrently. 2061 even sets up a few intriguing mysteries (secret organisations, no less!) and introduces many new characters. Sadly, it trails off half-way-through leaving important aspects of the plot unexplained and potentially thrilling, climatic moments undetailed. It does not develop the Odyssey series significantly and, seen as a standalone story, is a disappointment.

2061 A Strange Odyssey
Non Spoiler Section:

This book is the third in the monolith series (2001/2010). It continues 50 years after the climactic and brilliant end of 2010. My problem with this book is that it is pointless and doesn't fit the series.

The story isn't overly coherent or seemingly complete, almost as if A.C.C had a 300 page limit and had to quickly wrap things up. The writing style is very different, much shorter chapters, every one with a little cliffhanger or reveal.

It has some great ideas, but that does not warrant this book. I have yet to read 3001, if it has good reviews then get this to complete the series, if not I'd stop at 2010.


Spoilers:

Ok, so what's wrong with it? Hal and Bowman turn up for approx 2 pages. Heywood has no real relation to the story, in fact his trip to the comet never recieves a pay off later on. His becoming immortal made little sense in terms of the how, the why or the when.

The plot involving Europa, while more interesting, is closer to a thriller than an adventure. There's little climax to it all, the rescue is glossed over in a few words, the 'diamond' revelation appears early on in the script. The USSA 'intrigue' is not resolved. It's poor storytelling.

In regards to moving on the series plot, the cliffhanger is AWFUL, it's a sloppy one line at the end that has no reference to events before or it's ramifacations. The monoliths don't actually do anything at all in this book.

This story, to me, would make far more sense as a stand alone book than a "2010" sequal.