Scan barcode
aldienthered's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
fletchie's review against another edition
4.0
A worthy continuation of the series, the only downfall is that is somewhat more conventional than its predecessors and challenges our thinking less.
Actually a pretty quick read, only took me so long as I had a slump in my reading habits.
Actually a pretty quick read, only took me so long as I had a slump in my reading habits.
hotsake's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting hard science fiction story that lacked character development or a really engaging plot. The strangest part of this novel which for the most part is an exploration/rescue mission story that only starts to tease at a less mundane story in the final two short chapters. If this book was written today this would've in a bridging .5 novel as it seems to only exist to set up the next novel 3001 and to tie it to 2010. So 2001 would be book 1, 2010 Book 2, 2061 Book 2.5, and 3001 Book 3.
clumsypenguin's review against another edition
3.0
Compared to the previous book, this one wasn't as engaging, but still a good read overall. I didn't find any of the new characters all that interesting, and the plot's pacing was pretty slow. However that isn't really what these books are interested in doing, and the overall setting it builds up with Jupiter now as a new moon, and space travel now available as a commercial luxury was fun to read.
thatbookisonfiyah's review against another edition
4.0
Clarke is a Master for a reason!
This story follows along with the first two Odysseys very well and I enjoyed it very much, but maybe not as much as 2010. Still, I love the way Clarke writes and his imagination is fantastic. I am looking forward to the finale to see where Clarke’s imagination takes us!
I do find it interesting that Clarke was able to predict the consumerization of space flight - and a capitalist architect of space travel - long before there was a SpaceX, Elon Musk, or Jeff Besos!!
This story follows along with the first two Odysseys very well and I enjoyed it very much, but maybe not as much as 2010. Still, I love the way Clarke writes and his imagination is fantastic. I am looking forward to the finale to see where Clarke’s imagination takes us!
I do find it interesting that Clarke was able to predict the consumerization of space flight - and a capitalist architect of space travel - long before there was a SpaceX, Elon Musk, or Jeff Besos!!
david611's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars. Loved it !! :D
Just like its preceding book [b:2010: Odyssey Two|70539|2010 Odyssey Two (Space Odyssey, #2)|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388271989s/70539.jpg|615175], this is a book full of wonder, awesomeness, vivid imagery and adventure.
Preferring to rate books independently, I really liked this one. The landings on Halley's Comet, and Europa, along with their vivid descriptions of the landscape and life-forms make it an engaging read filled with wonder! Based on certain facts and conjectures, Clarke has written some good stuff using his wide imagination. Celestial mechanics seem to be authenticate enough. But I would not worry about that.
As a sequel to 2010: Odyssey Two, I liked the progress of the storyline. Although the monolith is not shown to be involved much in this part of the series, all else was nice, including the space hijacking part.
Also, I liked that technology has not been largely focussed upon as could have been in 2061, because that is nearly irrelevant to the main storyline. Of course however, the necessary technology has not been ignored.
Low on action (hence I liked it more), more on exploration and imagination [:D], which made the novel really a very good read to me.
Thoughts that I could pick up from the book:
1. Mankind's responsibilities (probably) do not stop with his own upliftment (while at the same time taking care of other creatures on her planet). It extends to uplifting primitive life-forms on other worlds as well, of which we should be knowing about in the future.
2. Fear is an attribute by which anything can be made to not-happen.
3. Whichever way in which man is told to restrict his venture, his curiosity and desire will always want to go beyond the necessarily available boundaries. Just like eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
4. Not all mysteries can be solved by man. Some mysteries have to be left to themselves. The acts of wonder needs to be appreciated and absorbed by man, making him realize that she is a part of that same Wonder. :)
A great read, only if read with an open-mind (especially to possibilities of wonder and awe outside our own world), read as a part of the series in its proper order. One needs to drop one's expectations to enjoy this one, and certainly not make oneself to compare it with any previous titles in the series. In any case, what would be the point of it being different and unique, if it was written just like the first book ! :D
Just like its preceding book [b:2010: Odyssey Two|70539|2010 Odyssey Two (Space Odyssey, #2)|Arthur C. Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388271989s/70539.jpg|615175], this is a book full of wonder, awesomeness, vivid imagery and adventure.
Preferring to rate books independently, I really liked this one. The landings on Halley's Comet, and Europa, along with their vivid descriptions of the landscape and life-forms make it an engaging read filled with wonder! Based on certain facts and conjectures, Clarke has written some good stuff using his wide imagination. Celestial mechanics seem to be authenticate enough. But I would not worry about that.
As a sequel to 2010: Odyssey Two, I liked the progress of the storyline. Although the monolith is not shown to be involved much in this part of the series, all else was nice, including the space hijacking part.
Spoiler
Although the perpetrators of the latter remain unknown by the end of the book, I believe it to be intentional and not a cause for concern, showing that not every crime can be solved, but those circumstances could be avoided the next time.Also, I liked that technology has not been largely focussed upon as could have been in 2061, because that is nearly irrelevant to the main storyline. Of course however, the necessary technology has not been ignored.
Low on action (hence I liked it more), more on exploration and imagination [:D], which made the novel really a very good read to me.
Thoughts that I could pick up from the book:
1. Mankind's responsibilities (probably) do not stop with his own upliftment (while at the same time taking care of other creatures on her planet). It extends to uplifting primitive life-forms on other worlds as well, of which we should be knowing about in the future.
2. Fear is an attribute by which anything can be made to not-happen.
3. Whichever way in which man is told to restrict his venture, his curiosity and desire will always want to go beyond the necessarily available boundaries. Just like eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
4. Not all mysteries can be solved by man. Some mysteries have to be left to themselves. The acts of wonder needs to be appreciated and absorbed by man, making him realize that she is a part of that same Wonder. :)
A great read, only if read with an open-mind (especially to possibilities of wonder and awe outside our own world), read as a part of the series in its proper order. One needs to drop one's expectations to enjoy this one, and certainly not make oneself to compare it with any previous titles in the series. In any case, what would be the point of it being different and unique, if it was written just like the first book ! :D
sbjessen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thehoodofswords's review
3.0
It was a fine enough Sci Fi book but the other 2 did such a good job at pulling you in with the characters and existentialism of it all. This by comparison felt a bit all over the place. Story should have been fully focused on the crew with young Floyd and the entire storyline with the Floyd from 2010 should have been cut or greatly reduced. It’s funny that a book with 2x the characters of 2010 is cut shorter by like 50 pages. I read it fast but it wasn’t that enjoyable.
sergei_ter_tumasov's review against another edition
1.0
Ничего нового!
[a:Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1357191481p2/7779.jpg] пишет плохо, но ровно, так что третья часть ничем не отличается (ни по стилю, ни по настроению, ни по качеству) от первых двух, и всё, что было сказано о них, справедливо и для [b:2061: Odyssey Three|35816|2061 Odyssey Three (Space Odyssey, #3)|Arthur C. Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347907073s/35816.jpg|1426854]!!!
[a:Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1357191481p2/7779.jpg] пишет плохо, но ровно, так что третья часть ничем не отличается (ни по стилю, ни по настроению, ни по качеству) от первых двух, и всё, что было сказано о них, справедливо и для [b:2061: Odyssey Three|35816|2061 Odyssey Three (Space Odyssey, #3)|Arthur C. Clarke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347907073s/35816.jpg|1426854]!!!
metaphorosis's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary:
Humans force a landing on Europa, the only body in the solar system expressly forbidden to them.
Review:
2061 is okay. It’s well written and it’s (mildly) interesting. There’s also no reason it should have been written. It doesn’t contribute anything vital to the 2001 universe, to the characters, to any ongoing mysteries, etc. I’m a fan of Clarke’s work, but I’m moderately mystified as to why this book exists, apart from a desire on Clarke’s part to cash in on his previous work. There’s nothing wrong with that; authors have a right to make money. But as a fan, I’m disappointed in a book that’s only okay.
‘Okay’ is the operative word here. There’s just nothing compelling about any part of this book. It takes a quick look at Europa, and overall it’s the kind of well-written hard science fiction that Clarke was so good at. But it’s got no path and no purpose, and for that reason lacks both the mystery and the deep characters that made Clarke’s other books so interesting.
If you’re really, really interested in the Odyssey saga (and, frankly, there’s not much reason to go beyond 2001), then dig into this. It’s got all the familiar parts. For anyone else, let it be. While better than 2010, 2061 simply has no good reason for being.
Summary:
Humans force a landing on Europa, the only body in the solar system expressly forbidden to them.
Review:
2061 is okay. It’s well written and it’s (mildly) interesting. There’s also no reason it should have been written. It doesn’t contribute anything vital to the 2001 universe, to the characters, to any ongoing mysteries, etc. I’m a fan of Clarke’s work, but I’m moderately mystified as to why this book exists, apart from a desire on Clarke’s part to cash in on his previous work. There’s nothing wrong with that; authors have a right to make money. But as a fan, I’m disappointed in a book that’s only okay.
‘Okay’ is the operative word here. There’s just nothing compelling about any part of this book. It takes a quick look at Europa, and overall it’s the kind of well-written hard science fiction that Clarke was so good at. But it’s got no path and no purpose, and for that reason lacks both the mystery and the deep characters that made Clarke’s other books so interesting.
If you’re really, really interested in the Odyssey saga (and, frankly, there’s not much reason to go beyond 2001), then dig into this. It’s got all the familiar parts. For anyone else, let it be. While better than 2010, 2061 simply has no good reason for being.