2061: Odyssey Three

By: Arthur C. Clarke

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

Arthur C. Clarke’s 2061: Odyssey Three is truly a masterful elaboration on one man’s epic vision of the universe.

Only rarely does a novelist weave a tapestry so compelling that it captures the imagination of the entire world. But that is precisely what Arthur C. Clarke accomplished with 2001: A Space Odyssey.

It is even more unusual that an author is able to complement so well-received an invention with an equally successful sequel. But Arthur C. Clarke’s 2010: Odyssey Two enthralled a huge audience worldwide.

Now, in 2061: Odyssey Three, Arthur C. Clarke revisits the most famous future ever imagined, as two expeditions into space are inextricably tangled by human necessity and the immutable laws of physics. And Heywood Floyd, survivor of two previous encounters with the mysterious monoliths, must once again confront Dave Bowman - or whatever Bowman has become - a newly independent HAL, and the power of an alien race that has decided Mankind is to play a part in the evolution of the galaxy whether it wishes to or not.

©2012 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2012 Random House Audio

My birthday is in 1961-which is 100yrs before

100 yrs prior to this novel. Feeling connected to this series. Even more to 3001.

This Odyssey Does Not Disappoint

Arthur C. Clarke had such an incredible imagination and grasp of scientific theory and his skill with brevity is highly refined. He always gives just the right amount of detail to describe a scene. My greatest satisfaction in this story is with the power, purpose and fallibility of the Monolith. Exploring the new environment in our solar system is a wonderful adventure and the spectacle of Mt. Zeus is hard to match. Storytelling at its best. I can't wait to engage the final odyssey.

Interesting

Mr. Clarke was definitely ahead of his time and a great visionary. He will forever be remembered

Masters being masterful

Arthur C. Clarke is one of the masters of science fiction and he doesn’t disappoint in this installment of the 2001 series.

Scott Brick is fantastic as always and a good fit for Clarke’s prose.

Another Clark Classic

I read 2001 and 2010 of the Odyssey series. this is a really cool continuation of the story. I can't wait to read what happens next in the final installment of the Oddysey adventure. Hell, I wonder if the story of 3001 is going to be what actually happens then.

Excellent Scifi Story

loved it, but got confusing at times. and it was made lengthy by stretching out a story in so many chapters.

An interesting setup

As I was listening to this book I began to question why it was written. It wasn't until I realized it's a setup for the next part of the series. We meet some of the original characters and then all of the original characters. However, it's more like here's what's been happening here, what's going on and here's what we're going next. This is how the story unfolded for me. I enjoyed the story though at one point I would say 3x speed was a little too slow because the story slowed down. I had to pick back up. I would have liked the altar to go into more detail when they were bringing the grandson back. I'm just going to word it that way so it's not to spoil it for anyone. It will be interesting to see how the last story goes in this series. Considering it was written 20 years ago it will be interesting to see how much the author matches what is currently happening in our world. Plus who knows where we're really at with space travel with all the secrets our government keeps from us.

Clark's Odyssey

Amazing how this Odyssey became a horse race between science fiction and science fact over the past 5 or 6 decades. Thank you Mr. Clark.

This guy is just phenomenal!

I read this book out of sequence - the last - because I didn't have it.
And it stands on its own.

Imaginative but based on real science. It takes it beyond into science fiction,
but the planetary and physical science of "what if" is what you see on Discovery and Science channels every day.

Superb!

Perfectly OK

"2061" is a perfectly decent space thriller. The trouble is, one expects more than that. After all, it's a sequel to "2001" and "2010", two of the most brilliant and mind-expanding classics of epic sci-fi ever written. As a result, it feels a lot flatter and more disappointing than it should. The best way to experience it is to forget about its illustrious forbears and just enjoy it as a mildly diverting space thriller.

It has the usual Clarke failings: cardboard characters and clunky exposition. And this is an old man's novel; it's mostly about amiable old codgers puttering around and dispensing wry comments. Even when the action starts, every character responds to terrifying situations with wry humour, which gets a bit irksome after a while. Everyone's. So. Damn. Wry.

But the journey to Halley's Comet is interesting (and if you've seen the real-life photographs of comet 67P from the Rosetta probe you'll find Clarke's descriptions of a cometary surface remarkably accurate). The exploration of the revitalized Jovian moons, springing to life beneath their new sun, is fascinating. The mystery of Mt Zeus is intriguing and has a great payoff. And the last few chapters suddenly acquire the level of magisterial profundity that the Odyssey series ought to have, and might even bring a tingle to the spine.

Scott Brick is a solid narrator. I'm not convinced by his handling of the South African characters. But he captures the wryness perfectly.