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2061: Odyssey Three  By  cover art

2061: Odyssey Three

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's summary

Arthur C. Clarke’s 2061: Odyssey Three is truly a masterful elaboration on one man’s epic vision of the universe.

Only rarely does a novelist weave a tapestry so compelling that it captures the imagination of the entire world. But that is precisely what Arthur C. Clarke accomplished with 2001: A Space Odyssey.

It is even more unusual that an author is able to complement so well-received an invention with an equally successful sequel. But Arthur C. Clarke’s 2010: Odyssey Two enthralled a huge audience worldwide.

Now, in 2061: Odyssey Three, Arthur C. Clarke revisits the most famous future ever imagined, as two expeditions into space are inextricably tangled by human necessity and the immutable laws of physics. And Heywood Floyd, survivor of two previous encounters with the mysterious monoliths, must once again confront Dave Bowman - or whatever Bowman has become - a newly independent HAL, and the power of an alien race that has decided Mankind is to play a part in the evolution of the galaxy whether it wishes to or not.

©2012 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2012 Random House 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 2061: Odyssey Three

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Great Story with one BIG Problem

If you could sum up 2061: Odyssey Three in three words, what would they be?

Where is 2010?

Any additional comments?

It is a great Series, but it really leaves a great big Gaping hole when you leave out the second book of the series! I find that to be a shame. It leaves so many un-answered questions when you go on to the third book in series! How can you do that?This makes for a very big disappointment...

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61 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This guy is just phenomenal!

I read this book out of sequence - the last - because I didn't have it.
And it stands on its own.

Imaginative but based on real science. It takes it beyond into science fiction,
but the planetary and physical science of "what if" is what you see on Discovery and Science channels every day.

Superb!

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Perfectly OK

"2061" is a perfectly decent space thriller. The trouble is, one expects more than that. After all, it's a sequel to "2001" and "2010", two of the most brilliant and mind-expanding classics of epic sci-fi ever written. As a result, it feels a lot flatter and more disappointing than it should. The best way to experience it is to forget about its illustrious forbears and just enjoy it as a mildly diverting space thriller.

It has the usual Clarke failings: cardboard characters and clunky exposition. And this is an old man's novel; it's mostly about amiable old codgers puttering around and dispensing wry comments. Even when the action starts, every character responds to terrifying situations with wry humour, which gets a bit irksome after a while. Everyone's. So. Damn. Wry.

But the journey to Halley's Comet is interesting (and if you've seen the real-life photographs of comet 67P from the Rosetta probe you'll find Clarke's descriptions of a cometary surface remarkably accurate). The exploration of the revitalized Jovian moons, springing to life beneath their new sun, is fascinating. The mystery of Mt Zeus is intriguing and has a great payoff. And the last few chapters suddenly acquire the level of magisterial profundity that the Odyssey series ought to have, and might even bring a tingle to the spine.

Scott Brick is a solid narrator. I'm not convinced by his handling of the South African characters. But he captures the wryness perfectly.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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My favorite Odyssey

If you could sum up 2061: Odyssey Three in three words, what would they be?

I really enjoyed Odyssey three, with Heywood Floyd being one of my favorite characters from 2010. Having a chance to follow him on another adventure was a real pleasure.

Did Scott Brick do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Scott Brick is a hard narrator for me to follow. His reading style, in all the books he has read, always have this beaten-down-give-up-on-life tone to them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hmm. It is such a good story that even Scott Brick's depressive, sigh infused tone, can't bring it down.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story

I will certainly be listening to this book again it flows a little funny however he builds to a great finale.

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2 people found this helpful

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Amazing story and performance

This was an amazing story, and was an outstanding performance by Scott Brick, as usual. this helps to explain so much about 2001 and 2010. I look forward to 3001 next.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Each one keeps getting better!

Where does 2061: Odyssey Three rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not the best, but certainly high up there.

What did you like best about this story?

The ending.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Steady flow and passionate reading.

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

Europa Rising

Any additional comments?

Dick Hill would have been a better reader for this, based on 2001: A Space Odyssey

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1 person found this helpful

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Masters being masterful

Arthur C. Clarke is one of the masters of science fiction and he doesn’t disappoint in this installment of the 2001 series.

Scott Brick is fantastic as always and a good fit for Clarke’s prose.

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  • Overall
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Interesting

Mr. Clarke was definitely ahead of his time and a great visionary. He will forever be remembered

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

Excellent continuation of the original work!

This is more evidence that combining excellent storytelling, extensive research and a brilliant command of the English language can come together in a triumph of literary prose! Thanks, Arthur!

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