Reviews

3001: The Final Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

mianb's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Bit of a nothing book. Cute that Clarke revived Frank Poole, but I was unfortunately not interested in his romantic rendezvous with 'mysterious dragon lady'. Anyways I'm still an Arthur C. Clarke stan <3

noahjmack's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

muddyfiftysix's review

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4.0

I forget that he says that all the books aren't in the same universe per se, but it's really disorienting to read that Frank Poole was born in 1996--only being 5 years old on his Jupiter mission!!

I felt a lot of this book was unnecessary. How many times did I have to read about Jupiter and Europa from energy-Bowman's point of view? Reading these 4 books in rapid succession maybe didn't help.

But it was good and I'm sad it's over. I would love to be able to read a 4001.

skippen's review

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3.0

The end of a series I probably started 40 years ago. 2001 was confusing at first, then I watched in parallel with the film. That helped. The book is still better but the move provides great visuals. 2010 is great sequel and even better film. 2061, I read, and frankly, maybe because there was no film, I cannot recall anything other than I know I read it.

3001 one is a a compelling read. I enjoyed it, but, frankly, there is really not much of a story here. It really more feels like Arthur writing a small treatise on what would the future look like in 3001. The ultimate conclusion to the mystery of the monoliths, to me, was disappointing, and what humanity did in the end with them, disappointing. Perhaps, that's what Clarke wanted. I don't know, but when they were just a mystery (and they still are don't get me wrong), and glimpses into what they are revealed in this book, they were more interesting, compelling, because what he revealed was predictable.

Overall, I suspect maybe better than 2061 but then again I cannot recall that title at all.

reginas_books's review

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3.0

Not my favorite. I'm glad it was wrapped up, but I never found that much emotional attachment to Poole, so having the majority of this story narrated by him was just disappointing. Also, where's Heywood?? I thought he had joined Dave and HAL in their starchild infinity....

deadwish's review

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3.0

Reseña en proceso. interesante visión del futuro y poco más. Hasta más de la mitad no pasa nada.

ftsell's review

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fast-paced

2.5

ted_funsten's review

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slow-paced

3.5

aoswal's review

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

todd_bissell's review against another edition

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1.0

"Hi, I'm your narrator, and I will show you the wonders of the year 3001...!"

...and that all about sums up the entire book. So much "Oooooh, look at how weird/special/different this time is!", and so very little plot.

Do the people of the year 3001 sometimes "gamble and fail" and wind up with wet and messy sharts? Because that's my impression of the "huge" payoff for the entire series.