Space Odyssey series

Crusader · 11-17-2009, 05:08 PM

I'm currently trying to read my newly acquired Space Odyssey series by Arthur C Clarke.

I've finished 2001 and I'm a third into 2010. I can't understand why on earth he would completely change the setting of the 2nd book (Jupiter instead of Saturn) and use the background/events of the film instead.

In the foreword he does state that the book follows the screen version, but why not just stick to the original story?

WT Sharpe · 11-17-2009, 08:52 PM

As A.C.C. stated in the preface, 2010 wasn't meant to be considered a proper sequel. Some facts he altered as newer information about our solar system became available.

Crusader · 11-18-2009, 01:51 AM

I can understand updating some facts, but suddenly jumping from one planet to the other is a bit extreme.

The other thing is the sequence of events in 2001 and those given as background in 2010 differs quite a bit. It follows the movie instead of the first book and can be a bit confusing if you only read the book.

WT Sharpe · 11-18-2009, 02:54 PM

When he wrote 2001, I'm not sure if -- at that time -- Europa was considered to be a prime candidate for life like it is now. And the fact that Jupiter is larger than Saturn and has been called, rightly or wrongly, a "failed star" was perfect for his purposes as a plot device in 2010.

Crusader · 11-18-2009, 05:35 PM

I guess that's true. Just caught me a bit by surprise...

WT Sharpe · 11-18-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusader

I guess that's true. Just caught me a bit by surprise...

It is kind of bizarre to have a sequel that isn't really a sequel, but uses the same characters except that certain events have been altered. It's as if the events in the books took place in nearly-identical parallel universes.

ctol · 11-22-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusader

I'm currently trying to read my newly acquired Space Odyssey series by Arthur C Clarke.

I've finished 2001 and I'm a third into 2010. I can't understand why on earth he would completely change the setting of the 2nd book (Jupiter instead of Saturn) and use the background/events of the film instead.

In the foreword he does state that the book follows the screen version, but why not just stick to the original story?

If you have not done so, as prequels to 2001, you might also want to read The Sentinel and and Encounter In The Dawn. Also the Lost Worlds Of 2001, which describes the collabarations between Clarke and Kubrick on the making of the film.

Crusader · 12-01-2009, 01:47 PM

Finished 2061 today and must say I enjoyed it very much. I particularly liked that South Africa and South African characters play a major role. Caught me by surprise at first.

I loved this quote:

Quote:

"Afrikaans is one of the world's best languages in which to curse; even when spoken politely, it can bruise innocent bystanders"

11-17-2009, 05:08 PM	#1
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	Space Odyssey series I'm currently trying to read my newly acquired Space Odyssey series by Arthur C Clarke. I've finished 2001 and I'm a third into 2010. I can't understand why on earth he would completely change the setting of the 2nd book (Jupiter instead of Saturn) and use the background/events of the film instead. In the foreword he does state that the book follows the screen version, but why not just stick to the original story?

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11-17-2009, 08:52 PM	#2
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,073 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	As A.C.C. stated in the preface, 2010 wasn't meant to be considered a proper sequel. Some facts he altered as newer information about our solar system became available.

11-18-2009, 01:51 AM	#3
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	I can understand updating some facts, but suddenly jumping from one planet to the other is a bit extreme. The other thing is the sequence of events in 2001 and those given as background in 2010 differs quite a bit. It follows the movie instead of the first book and can be a bit confusing if you only read the book.

11-18-2009, 02:54 PM	#4
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,073 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	When he wrote 2001, I'm not sure if -- at that time -- Europa was considered to be a prime candidate for life like it is now. And the fact that Jupiter is larger than Saturn and has been called, rightly or wrongly, a "failed star" was perfect for his purposes as a plot device in 2010.

11-18-2009, 05:35 PM	#5
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	I guess that's true. Just caught me a bit by surprise...

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