[Zsinj]

I just finished reading Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey, and I was completely blown away by the sheer awesomeness and scope of this book! And the ending was absolutely mind-blowing! :eek: This has to be the best sci-fi novel I've ever read!
So I was wondering whether or not I should read its sequel: 2010: Odyssey II, and the two installments after it, because I've heard from some readers that the Odyssey sequels ruin the whole mysterious, mystic, and awesome experience of the first Odyssey novel. So, what do you guys think? Any advice would be dearly appreciated. :)

[qonox]

I've read them all. 2001 is of course the best. There is no need to read the rest, but they do have some merit. Childhood's End is also great if you haven't read that yet. You can discuss this in detail at www.clarkeforum.com if you wish! Thank you.

[Hobbit]

If you like Clarke's style, then I would keep going.

They are different and perhaps a little less mystical, though they still have that sense of wonder that I often find in Clarke. (And more monoliths!) The other thing to remember (and this is something Clarke freely admits in the introductions to the sequels) is that the later books follow the film rather than the original book.

These are not major changes, just made it a little easier to follow - I didn't find them a problem.

I did enjoy all the sequels though. Alternatively, try 2010 as a film? 2010 as a film I enjoyed too, though not many did. It is more straightforward than the film of 2001.

Hobbit

[Ropie]

2010 as a film I enjoyed too, though not many did. It is more straightforward than the film of 2001.

Me too - it's a great, overlooked film.

[scooter13]

2001 was the first sci-fi book that I ever read for myself. (I had a sci-fi class in high school that got me started.) I agree with you Zsinj, it is an incredible book, and think rather underrated.

I also agree with Hobbit. The first is the best, but the others have merit. Though I did not read 3001. Both 2010 book and film are very good. And though I was on the fence with 2061 when I first started reading it, it got better (so I remember) as it went on.

[Beleg]

2001: A Space Odyssey is a fantastic book and as you mentioned, just amazing in its depth and scope. 2010 is a good book but 2001 it is not.

Clarke for me is the best of the classical sci-fi'ers, just hedging out Clement in that regard.

[Zsinj]

Thanks for the advice, guys! :D Maybe I'll pick up 2010 sometime in the future and read it, and its other sequels.

[Avi_stetto]

Thanks for the advice, guys! :D Maybe I'll pick up 2010 sometime in the future and read it, and its other sequels.


2010 was a good read, but I never got any further than that. Maybe I should.

21001 The movie ranks as one of my top five of all time.

[Archren]

I loved 2001 and 2010, but while I have read the other two, I found them forgettable. :o

Actually, I enjoyed 2010 a little more than 2001. Of course it wasn't as groudbreaking, but I found the character interaction and intercultural exchanges really engaging.

[nicba]

I liked 2001 and all its sequels, as well as many of Clarke's other novels.

But I think that where Clarke really shines is in his short stories. There's a large collection of all the Clarke short stories ever published called simply "The Collected Stories" (which I'm happy to own). It's a treasure.