A space odyssey by arthur c clarke and its three sequels 2010. Summary of 2001 a space odyssey and personal response. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of 2001. The classic science fiction novel that captures and expands on the vision of stanley kubricks immortal filmand changed the way we. A space odyssey, this amazing book was written by arthur c. Jack kirby wrote and pencilled both the adaptation and the series, which were published by marvel comics beginning in 1976.
Foreword behind every man now alive stand thirty ghosts, for that is the ratio by which the dead outnumber the living. It entails the nature between man and the unknown while giving life to the universe around the main cast of characters. A space odyssey and its film adaptation were written and produced concurrently by clarke and film director stanley kubrick. Space odyssey book by michael benson official publisher. Supposedly hes an unfeeling hunk of metal, but in reality, hes the only one in the novel who really seems to feel much of anything, or to act as if he feels much of anything. A space odyssey is an oversized american comic book adaptation of the 1968 film of the same name as well as a tenissue monthly series which expanded upon the concepts presented in the stanley kubrick film and the novel by arthur c.
Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by. Clarke has also written a lot of books, like the space odyssey series, childhoods end, and many more. The dinosaurs are gone, and the manapes are surviving on the equator in what will one day be africa. This collection comprises the science fiction novels 2001. A space odysseys ending is famous among strange film endings, and when you consider that the competition includes magnolia, mulholland drive, and rockadoodle, thats sayin something.
Yet, despite that, the plot actually isnt all that complicated. The space exploration programs in the united states and the soviet union were only in the early stages. Heres where youll find analysis about the book as a whole. From the savannas of africa at the dawn of mankind to the rings of saturn as man ventures to the outer rim of our solar system, 2001. Clarke has many degrees that allow him to give depth to the plot. A space odyssey then this book is required reading. A space odyssey was the name of an oversized comic book adaptation of the 1968 film of the same name and a 10issue monthly series expanding on the ideas presented in the film and the eponymous arthur c. The perfect collaboration between book and film originally posted at fantasy literature arthur c.
A space odyssey, which was later turned into a highly successful and controversial film under the direction of stanley kubrick. A space odyssey has a fairly straightforward plot, the elements of cosmic mystery keep it from ever being dull or predictable. Among his bestselling novels are childhoods end, 2001. A space odyssey creation and legacy probed in 50th. Two elements of nonhuman intelligence form the central focus of this book. Clarke 19172008 wrote a hundred books and more than a thousand short stories and essays covering science fiction and science fact in a career spanning more than six decades. This allegory about humanitys exploration of the universeand the universes reaction to humanityis a hallmark achievement in storytelling that follows the crew of the spacecraft discovery as they embark on a mission to saturn. The space odyssey book series began in 1968 with 2001. Aug 12, 2017 the following content is mainly based off of arthur c. The classic science fiction novel that captures and expands on the vision of stanley kubricks immortal filmand changed the way we look at the stars and ourselves. A space odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by stanley kubrick. Odyssey two would also be adapted to film by peter hyams in 1984. A space odyssey is based on the final version of the script for the 1968 motion picture, but, even so, in some regards they differ due to late changes made by director stanley.
After the first encounter with the monolith, we see the leader of the apes have a quick flashback to the monolith after which he picks up a bone and uses it to smash other bones. Clarkea tremendous explication of a tremendous film. Clarkes novel 2001 a space odyssey, his short story the sentinel, and kubricks famous film, 2001. It took many years to figure out the meaning of the ending alone. A space odyssey has been analysed and interpreted by numerous people, ranging from professional movie critics to amateur writers and science fiction fans. The monoliths, the mysterious creators of them, the signals sent towards the stars, the transformations clarke doesnt overexplain anything, instead allowing the strange, almost mystical aspects of the story to link together organically. Stanley kubrick was not present at the awards ceremony. One of the greatestselling science fiction novels of our time, this classic book. A space odyssey was everything a great science fiction novel should be. A space odyssey book online at the folio society from the worlds most extensive selection of beautifully illustrated books. Two particular dangers of technology are explored in great detail. The monolith rescues herb marik and transpors him to an area similar to jalessas kingdom. The book goes hand in hand with the 2001 space odyssey movie.
A space odyssey was written, mankind had not yet set foot on the moon. From kid stuff records, a 1984 book and record readalong set adapting the movie 2001. A space odyssey, acclaimed today as one of the greatest films ever made, including the inside account of how director stanley kubrick and writer arthur c. Drawing upon exhaustive research, author michael benson takes the reader behind the scenes of arguably the greatest science fiction movie of all time. Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the films release, this is the definitive story of the making of 2001. Moonwatcher is awesome because he is smart, and being smart lets him figure out better ways to kill things. It was developed concurrently with stanley kubricks film version and published after the release of the film. Its all here, from first concepts to finished film and its aftermath. It entails the nature between man and the unknown while giving life to the universe around the. Kubrick liked to work from books, and since a suitable one did not yet exist they would write it. Then humans move on up with their gadgets and space ships and take to the stars, and the novel loves describing just how all those nifty ships workand how smart the people who run them are.
The odyssey is a long greek poem by homer about a dude named odysseus who goes on a long voyage. Clarke collaborated with stanley kubrick to produce the novel version of 2001. A breakthrough into the twentyfirst century, this novel and movie puts the man of today into the credible environment of tomorrow, when he has. Clarke and kubrick worked on the book together, but eventually only clarke ended up as the official author. The director of the film, stanley kubrick, and the writer, arthur c. Jun 17, 2015 before the first strains of richard strauss also sprach zarathustra echoed in movie theaters and the public consciousness for decades to come, 2001.
His other works include childhoods end, rendezvous with rama, the garden of rama, the snows of olympus, 2010. This book also shows a realistic interpretation of how ai and man react to each other. So whats up with the title is that clarke is saying, that old greek dude went on a long voyage and had adventures way back when, and so heres a story about the future of 2001, when some other dude is going to go on an awesome voyage also. Clarke, wanted to leave the film open to philosophical and allegorical interpretation, purposely presenting the final sequences. Hal, the discoverys computer, is easily the most entertaining character in the book. A space odyssey s ending is famous among strange film endings, and when you consider that the competition includes magnolia, mulholland drive, and rockadoodle, thats sayin something. Clarke and the making of a masterpiece is a masterpiece about a masterpiecea passionately written, impeccably researched book about a great directors pushing himself, his cast and crew beyond safety or sanity in a relentless quest for a nonverbal vision of the transcendent future of both space and film itself. Clarke and kubrick worked on the book together, but eventually only clarke.
A space odyssey is a 1968 science fiction novel by british writer arthur c. Space odyssey is a series of science fiction novels by british author arthur c. Best effects, special visual effects stanley kubrick. While many think its one of the greatest films ever made and was the first of what would prove to be many bigbudget hollywood science fiction films, the films slow build and heady subject matter make this best for inquisitive tweens and older. Written when landing on the moon was still a dream, 2001. A space odyssey as one of the astronauts on the mission to track the source of an alien artifact found on the moon.
Clarkes space odyssey novels in order of when they were originally. The screenplay was written by kubrick and arthur c. In 2001, a space station orbiting mars is doomed to destruction by a meteor strike. A space odyssey summary 2001 covers millions of years of plot, from prehistoric times and on into cosmic timeless space future or what was the future in 1968, when the book was written. The book does a magnificant job of rendering detailed images to us in mankinds quest to reach intelligent life. Before the first strains of richard strauss also sprach zarathustra echoed in movie theaters and the public consciousness for decades to come, 2001. Discuss the ways in which 2001 explores the possibility of nonhuman intelligence. A space odyssey is the 1969 classic stanley kubrick adaptation of the arthur c. Still acclaimed as one of the most remarkable and important. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of 2001. A space odyssey and indepth analyses of hal and david bowman.
A space odyssey may be more of a series of landmark sequences than a fully coherent or satisfying experience. Dawn comes and moonwatcher, one of the manapes, notices that his father died during the night. A space odyssey, which he cowrote with stanley kubrick. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The day i started to read this book i found it so engrossing that i finished it the same day.
Bowman ends up in a room somewhere in one universe or another, and we have no idea where. A space odyssey 1968 in order to provide the basis for the brilliant film of the same name. First, the intelligent beings who trained the man apes and left behind the big black slab on the moon capture the imagination of the humans who discover tma1 and, ultimately, develop a. The following content is mainly based off of arthur c. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. A big part of that is because theres no real character development to speak of. Second, the book explores the dangers associated with the. Clarke, and was inspired by clarkes short story the sentinel and other short stories by clarke. Fifty years ago a strikingly original film had its premiere. A space odyssey is based on the final version of the script for the 1968 motion picture, but, even so, in some regards they. I decided to pass that information along to you with this explanation and analysis of the book.
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