There’s also a lengthy stretch of time, in the book, in between the final confrontation with HAL and Dave’s decision to leave the ship to investigate the Monolith. Clarke devotes a decent chunk of time towards describing the mechanics of Discovery‘s journey through the solar system towards Saturn.) One of the film’s most iconic sequences, in which Dave and Frank discuss their concern over HAL’s increasingly erratic behavior while hiding in one of Discovery‘s small pods (in an attempt prevent HAL from hearing their discussion which proves fruitless when HAL reads their lips) never occurs in the novel. In the film, Discovery‘s ultimate goal (and the location of Dave Bowman’s encounter with the Monolith) is Jupiter, whereas in the novel it is Saturn. There are also a number of interesting differences between the novel and the film. (Just when we’re “settling in” to one setting and group of characters, the story moves away from that location, never to return.) And the somewhat episodic structure (in which the story is divided into several distinct parts, set in different locations and wildly differing eras of human history) is unusual, to say the least, and provides something of an obstacle to the narrative building up a full head of steam. There isn’t a whole heck of a lot of “plot” that actually happens over the course of the tale. The novel also shares some of the film’s, er, more challenging aspects.

The themes and “tone” of both works are remarkably similar. There are none of the dramatic revisions found in even the best film adaptations of novels, which is refreshing. Since they were created simultaneously and in partnership, the basic structure of both tales is identical. The novel and the film share many similarities. It succeeds as an engaging creation in its own right, and also as a fascinating companion to Mr. Clarke crafted his novel.Ģ001: A Space Odyssey is a terrific read. Instead, Kubrick and Clarke developed the story together. Neither was an adaptation of the other, which is pretty unique. Clarke explains in the introduction (to the 25th anniversary edition, which is what I have), the novel and the film were created simultaneously. After so thoroughly enjoying seeing 2001 the film again, I was excited to take another look at the novel. Clarke’s Odyssey novels many years ago, back when I was in college. Clarke’s novel 2001: A Space Odyssey off my book-shelf to re-read that as well. Īfter re-watching that film last month, I was driven to pick up Arthur C. On Monday I wrote about Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Josh Reviews the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C.

Arthur clarke 2001