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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
quite an enjoyable read. the sheer influence on this genre by clarke (space exploration! space conquest! human evolution through technology! alien interference on earth!!) seems to have a very lasting impact even today, both in culture and literature.
we start off with a snippet of alien encounter to a group of primates that become humans, then fast forwarding a few million years to where the bulk of the story lies: a strange block of something was found on the moon, and it is somehow connected to our main character, david bowman, on the spaceship discovery bound towards saturn.
i'd rate this book 4 stars if not for
we start off with a snippet of alien encounter to a group of primates that become humans, then fast forwarding a few million years to where the bulk of the story lies: a strange block of something was found on the moon, and it is somehow connected to our main character, david bowman, on the spaceship discovery bound towards saturn.
i'd rate this book 4 stars if not for
Spoiler
hal9001 dying... you did your best and i cant believe u were sacrificed for the progression of the story
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I would recommend this book to any sci-fi fan or to fans of the movie. For the firsts, it will give them a very good story, written by someone who is competent as a writer and as a scientists. The novel feels like it’s been very well researched. Everything is logical and holds up. The way the “aliens” are presented (through the monoliths and the star-gate) is very well inserted and works better than in most stories I’ve read.
For the movie fans, it will certainly give you more details about the story. The movie is fantastic, a landmark, and I love it. But it is a very different animal. It leaves much to interpretation, it’s very poetic. Especially the ending. The novel is more functional. I can’t blame anyone for not understanding the appearance of the Star Child at the end of the movie (one must watch this film a few times, ideally a few years apart). But with the book, it’s all a lot clearer.
Definitely a must read.
For the movie fans, it will certainly give you more details about the story. The movie is fantastic, a landmark, and I love it. But it is a very different animal. It leaves much to interpretation, it’s very poetic. Especially the ending. The novel is more functional. I can’t blame anyone for not understanding the appearance of the Star Child at the end of the movie (one must watch this film a few times, ideally a few years apart). But with the book, it’s all a lot clearer.
Definitely a must read.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book was better and less boring than I expected. I liked the way in which it moved. It felt like an Odyssey, a tale of epic proportions. It didn’t feel very dated, which was impressive. This is, in general, not my type of sci-fi, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. I didn’t understand the ending at all.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
But the barriers of distance are crumbling; one day we shall meet our equals, or our masters, among the stars. Men have been slow to face this prospect; some still hope that it may never become a reality. Increasing numbers, however, are asking: “Why have such meetings not occurred already, since we ourselves are about to venture into space?”
Why not, indeed? Here is one possible answer to that very reasonable question. But please remember: this is only a work of fiction.
The truth, as always, will be far stranger.
What an interesting book! The pace/way the plot was divided was a bit strange, but in a way that kept me curious to find out what would happen next.
That being said, I really enjoyed the story and really want to see the movie (which apparently was developed alongside the book??), though I know it probably won't be as good.
Why not, indeed? Here is one possible answer to that very reasonable question. But please remember: this is only a work of fiction.
The truth, as always, will be far stranger.
What an interesting book! The pace/way the plot was divided was a bit strange, but in a way that kept me curious to find out what would happen next.
Spoiler
In the end, after he went through the star gate, I was completely lost. I don't know if it was intentional, or my brain is just slightly too small, but I just couldn't grasp where he was or what was happening around him. Things being described as spindle shaped and moving downwards towards flames that were rising over the horizon of a sun which was behind another sun??? Incomprehensible.That being said, I really enjoyed the story and really want to see the movie (which apparently was developed alongside the book??), though I know it probably won't be as good.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
I am baffled and also in awe. Wonderful read.