• 2001

  • A Space Odyssey
  • By: Arthur C. Clarke
  • Narrated by: Dick Hill
  • Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (12,294 ratings)

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2001  By  cover art

2001

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Dick Hill
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Publisher's summary

It has been 40 years since the publication of this classic science-fiction novel that changed the way we look at the stars and ourselves. From the savannas of Africa at the dawn of mankind to the rings of Saturn as man adventures to the outer rim of our solar system, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a journey unlike any other.

This allegory about humanity's exploration of the universe, and the universe's reaction to humanity, was the basis for director Stanley Kubrick's immortal film, and lives on as a hallmark achievement in storytelling.

©1968 Polaris Productions, Inc.; 1968 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2000 Brilliance Audio

Featured Article: The Best Sci-Fi Book-to-Film/TV Adaptations


Beyond raising fascinating possibilities, the best works of science fiction ask big questions: What does it mean to be human? What will the future look like? What mysteries does the universe hold, and what do they mean for life on Earth? Whether you choose to escape via audiobook, movie, or television, these science fiction stories are truly out of this world—in all their incarnations.

What listeners say about 2001

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    8,131
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    7,256
  • 4 Stars
    2,410
  • 3 Stars
    810
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    60

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The classic in a very palatable form

2001 is a Sci-fi classic highly worth the time, and this performance does justice to the book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Space Sci-Fi

Where does 2001 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the true classic sci-fi novels, I think this is one of the many worth reading. The performance in this reader is fantastic.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 2001?

HAL 9000

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

His Voice is perfect, I can listen to this at work and while i sleep

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

See Kubrick's Version

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Preface is worth it

The oral preface by Arthur Clark was fabulous!

The presentation of the text was great also. Now excited to go back and watch the movie

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This will make you want to rewatch the movie

I really enjoyed this story and it makes me wanna rewatch the movie with more context. The narrator gave a fantastic performance though I do wish he had far less mouth clicks and mouth noise. That was bothersome but since he narration and the writing were so strong, I still wanted to keep going. If you like science fiction, this is definitely one to recommend.

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Excellent story

I can't wait to watch the movie again and actually have it make sense.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty decent but short

Pretty decent but short fifteen words fifteenth words fifteen words fifteenth words fifteen words fifteenth words

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thriller sifi

wanted to pop popcorn and sit down to listen to the story. great book

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Dated but still pertinent

It has been over fifty years since I saw the movie, but I had not read the book until now. Much of my original interpretation of the movie was so wrong. This book covers a future time that, although now in the past, feels like it continues to talk about a plausible scenario. Technology is only starting to catch up to what was depicted in this story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Sci-fi at its best!

Great voice acting and subtle sound effects.
Book better than the movie!
Can’t wait to listen to 2010

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Don’t. Do. Voices. When you narrate an audiobook!

A classic sci-fi novel that holds up over time. However somebody needs to tell this audiobook narrator that the material can stand on its own, and every time he does a voice for a character it literally makes the hair on one’s (my) neck stand up straight in horror. I was constantly taken out of the story by the fact that the narrator is being unintentionally comical as he slips into each new character with ridiculous relish. To be honest, it sounds like he was having way more fun than the listener who’s gotta to listen to this.

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