Wow. Just wow.

I had always thought 2001 was a load of rubbish. That was based on being dragged along to see a special showing of it in the cinema as part of a media studies a level. I don't think many 17 year olds would get a lot from the film to be honest.

I always spend ages looking for my next read of listen and as a confirmed sci-fi nut I'm finding at nearly 40 years of age that my tastes are refining. I honestly can't remember what caused me to try 2001 about 3 weeks ago but I'm really pleased I did. For me it's shot to number 1 sci-fi book without doubt. I would urge anyone planning on seeing the film to read the book first. It'll make much more sense.

The performance was brilliant and there are passages which are strangely prophetic considering the book is nearly 50 years old. I don't want to spoil the story but the concept is brilliant and the story just gets better and better. I'll be looking forward to seeing the film again now!

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25 people found this helpful

"My God, it's full of stars"

Anyone even remotely interested in science-fiction, or science-fact for that matter, will love this book.

I first saw the movie during the 1970's, when I was still a young child, and a spark of imagination was ignited. This spark is now a raging inferno that will never be extinguished. Given my age at the time, I was left with gaps, unanswered questions. Years later, these gaps remained, even after seeing the movie again, and the sequel (2010: The Year We Make Contact). This was until I decided to buy the full set of 4 books. After that, these gaps were filled-in, and the questions answered.

Having now listened to the audio book version of this novel, these answers are much more apparent, almost blatently obvious, mainly because you have the opportunity to focus on details when it's read for you.

You are taken on a highly-visual (and detailed) exploration of one of many possible beginnings of mankind, and the Universe, a tour of our own Solar System, and beyond, stretching your imagination further than you thought possible. This is the only restraining factor.....your own imagination.

This is a true 'classic', it really does make you think.....\"What if......\"

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19 people found this helpful

All clear now

Makes sense of the film watched it again after listening to to this and made it even more enjoyable

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Terrific

Thankfully I'd forgotten the film and found the story rivetting and couldn't wait to find out what wouldn't eventually happen. A great feat of imagination narrated perfectly.

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A Classic

A well read adaptation of a classic book melding science fact with science fiction that appears now to have predicted many things that have become science fact.

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As good as the movie, nice preface by Arthur C C

great narration matches the movie, nice preface by the author . feels like a combination of sci fi and recent history

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Magic

Saw this back in the 60s and it took my breath away.listening to brought back the wonder of film

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Great film, Amazing book!

Loved this book, kept me on my toes the whole time! much better ending than the film!

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A classic which shows its age.

worth a listen/read. its an old story id been intending to read for a long time.
the depiction of futuristic technology of course shows its age. 2001 was
a long time ago now and just as the futuristic visions in orwells 1984 were of course wholy inaccurate they still hold up as interesting testiment to the mindset of people in the time they were written.
the narration is ok, good most of the time but occasionally slightly eccentric.

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Happy I heard the book

Having seem the move many years ago, it was a great experience to hear it as the author intended and understand some further points.

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