2001: A Space Odyssey

Having watched 2001: A Space Odyssey so many times, I find it difficult to review the novel. I wasn't sure what to expect, especially since I loved the film. I'm still trying to figure out how much I like Clarke's writing style.
The plot revolves around a mysterious monolith that contributes to the evolution of the human race, as well as the voyage of a group of astronauts toward Saturn to learn more about this phenomenon. The astronauts travel on a ship controlled by the supercomputer HAL 9000.
It was interesting to see how Clarke presented the events depicted in the film. The film leaves more to the imagination, leaving readers with open-ended questions. The book does that too, but it also provides explicit, rational explanations for why HAL 9000 malfunctions. In the final chapters, the author provides long, detailed descriptions of what astronaut David Bowman experiences.
I don't think Clarke is particularly good at conveying a sense of wonder and awe through meticulous descriptions, but that's just my personal preference. At least two full chapters felt slow because there was no interaction or dialogue, and the descriptions of some environments were almost inconsequential to the plot. Fortunately, they weren't too long, and the slower pace was rewarded with a great ending.
I give the novel four out of five stars. It's a fascinating and mysterious story that you might enjoy more if you haven't seen the movie.