2061: Odyssey Three
Ratings90
Average rating3.6
This checks off alot of my requests for a story. Science, the plot moves along no stalling or sidetracking, no confusion when switching between multiple story lines, and characters that have depth and personality.
This book is a decent continuation of the Monolith story but it feels incomplete. We learn more about Europa after a forced landing by Galaxy is caused by what appears to be a terrorist act but that gets wrapped up without much talk about potential motivations other than possible greed. Heywood Floyd is back and ends up going to be a part of the rescue as he happens to be on Galaxy's sister ship, the Universe. You get some bits about his life since 2010 and he reconnects with his grandson but that's about it. Not much else that I can really say other than it's a quick read but not a huge progression in the story.
Amazing story. I love Clarke's creativity and his references to real astronomical topics.
3 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary:
Humans force a landing on Europa, the only body in the solar system expressly forbidden to them.
Review:
2061 is okay. It's well written and it's (mildly) interesting. There's also no reason it should have been written. It doesn't contribute anything vital to the 2001 universe, to the characters, to any ongoing mysteries, etc. I'm a fan of Clarke's work, but I'm moderately mystified as to why this book exists, apart from a desire on Clarke's part to cash in on his previous work. There's nothing wrong with that; authors have a right to make money. But as a fan, I'm disappointed in a book that's only okay.
‘Okay' is the operative word here. There's just nothing compelling about any part of this book. It takes a quick look at Europa, and overall it's the kind of well-written hard science fiction that Clarke was so good at. But it's got no path and no purpose, and for that reason lacks both the mystery and the deep characters that made Clarke's other books so interesting.
If you're really, really interested in the Odyssey saga (and, frankly, there's not much reason to go beyond 2001), then dig into this. It's got all the familiar parts. For anyone else, let it be. While better than 2010, 2061 simply has no good reason for being.