Title: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Author: Arthur C. Clarke
Publisher & Year of Publication: New American Library, 1968
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Audience: Ages 15-18
Summary: Dr. Floyd, a scientist, starts up another mission to Saturn called Discovery. Not many details are given about the mission. Frank Poole and David Bowman accompany the mission, but Dr. Floyd he whisked away after arriving on the moon. Hal, an artificially intelligent computer, knows the true purpose of the mission which is to make contact with Japetus, a moon of Saturn. The guilt of keeping the real mission a secret bothers Hal. It leads him to kill Poole and tries to terminate Bowhand before he is disconnected by him. Bowman continues to follow the mission of contacting Japetus, and eventually is taken and made immortal. Bowman returns to the solar system and save the world from a nuclear attack.
Evaluation/Reflection: This book was a bit out there for me and was a challenge to read. It definitely has a scientific tone and discusses evolution. For some, this may be a challenging or too trivial to read. I would recommend this book for patron heavily interested in science fiction.
Memorable Literary Moment: One of the literary aspects I found most appealing about this book is the use foreshadowing. The impending fear of nuclear weapons and dangers of artificial intelligence keep the reader interested.
Review: This is the kind of sci-fi I like. It is about humans exploring space rather than some soap opera about aliens in some other galaxy that I can barely follow. This works so much better as a novel than a movie as well. This story is very psychological as the reader can really get a sense of the loneliness and mystery of space. My only complaint is that the ending is a little confusing. Once you read it you will know what I mean. - Goodreads
Promotion Idea: I would recommend this book, along with a solar system pathfinder.
Acquisition: Public library, Scholastic book fair, or available on Amazon for $7.99 (paperback).
Author: Arthur C. Clarke
Publisher & Year of Publication: New American Library, 1968
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Audience: Ages 15-18
Summary: Dr. Floyd, a scientist, starts up another mission to Saturn called Discovery. Not many details are given about the mission. Frank Poole and David Bowman accompany the mission, but Dr. Floyd he whisked away after arriving on the moon. Hal, an artificially intelligent computer, knows the true purpose of the mission which is to make contact with Japetus, a moon of Saturn. The guilt of keeping the real mission a secret bothers Hal. It leads him to kill Poole and tries to terminate Bowhand before he is disconnected by him. Bowman continues to follow the mission of contacting Japetus, and eventually is taken and made immortal. Bowman returns to the solar system and save the world from a nuclear attack.
Evaluation/Reflection: This book was a bit out there for me and was a challenge to read. It definitely has a scientific tone and discusses evolution. For some, this may be a challenging or too trivial to read. I would recommend this book for patron heavily interested in science fiction.
Memorable Literary Moment: One of the literary aspects I found most appealing about this book is the use foreshadowing. The impending fear of nuclear weapons and dangers of artificial intelligence keep the reader interested.
Review: This is the kind of sci-fi I like. It is about humans exploring space rather than some soap opera about aliens in some other galaxy that I can barely follow. This works so much better as a novel than a movie as well. This story is very psychological as the reader can really get a sense of the loneliness and mystery of space. My only complaint is that the ending is a little confusing. Once you read it you will know what I mean. - Goodreads
Promotion Idea: I would recommend this book, along with a solar system pathfinder.
Acquisition: Public library, Scholastic book fair, or available on Amazon for $7.99 (paperback).