2010: Odyssey Two - Arthur C. Clarke

This is the second in a four-part epic series written by Arthur C. Clarke. The entire four series consist of 2001, 2010, 2061 and 3001. Even though the books are based on the previous books, they are easily readable separately. Where necessary, the author refers to important event from the previous book(s) and summarizes it. Be warned though, strangely it isn't based on the 2001 book, but on the movie, which was shot at more or less the same time. There are some discrepancies, but wherever this occurs, that part of the story is re-told in detail. 2010 largely follows the same story line as 2001, A space ship is sent to a far and remote planet because strange ...  Read the complete review

There are many times that when a novel is as hugely successful as 2001 rightly was, its successor is something of a let down, but this isn’t another example of that. 2010 – Odyssey two is a superb read that will compel sci-fi fans and offers a very good read to anyone willing to commit the time. I don’t think that this book is as easy to simply pick up and read as the first may have been, but still represents a wonderfully imaginative book that deserves the chance, and won’t disappoint. Arthur C Clarke simply foes from strength to strength and is becoming one of my very favourite authors, with a series of stunning titles such as this. I ...  Read the complete review

Way out in space, close to the moons of jupiter, the spacecraft Discovery floats, close to the alien monolith. The russian rescue craft Leonov is sent from earth, with a combined American and Russian scientific team on a mission to investigate the mysterios disappearance of the crew of the Discovery, and to recover the craft. This book is an excellent science fiction story. Although it is a few years old now, it has a sort of timeless quality which makes it eminently readable despite its age. I have to say, I have read it a few times now, and never tire of it, or its sister books, 2001, and 2061. Worth the read, go get it. ...  Read the complete review

Very often sequels are a bit of a let down. Certainly the movie version of this book, starring Roy Scheider, had none of the epic qualities of '2001: A Space Odyssey'. More literary minded Clarke fans, however, will not be disappointed in this book. Set (no kidding!) nine years after Discovery's mission from the first book, '2010: Odyssey Two' follows the investigation of 'what went wrong', journeying to Saturn. Discoveries are made on Europa (a moon of the planet) and the plot develops a spectacular climax in its own right. I can have very few criticisms of this sequel, so highly recommended so long as you read '2001' first. ...  Read the complete review