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Stephen rated a book really liked it
over 3 years ago
Read in July 2008
4.5 Stars. The books of Arthur C. Clarke (at least the ten or so that I have read) have been consistently good and of very high quality. When I pick up one of his books, I can be confident that I won't be disappointed. This book is terrific and don't think that if you have seen the movie you know what is going to happen.
Jake Steven get back and do more reviews please!
  • one year ago
Jaskaran Nagra ditto man where did you gooo
  • 2 years ago
Liam Where are you, I want more of your book reviews!?
  • 3 years ago
Liam Where are you, I want more of your book reviews!?
  • 3 years ago
Bill I loved this series. Man, seems like a lifetime ago since I read them.

Welcome back, Steve :)
  • 3 years ago
Alex Hi Jim,

Maybe part of my problem with the movie is that I watched for the first time, in 2013. It's age was painfully apparent and put me off, even though it was prepared to like it after having read the books. I'm not denying it was a masterpiece in its time, it just wasn't for me. The novels stand the test of time better however.
  • 3 years ago
Jim Stephen,

Although I was pretty much finished with Arthur C by the time reached puberty, I can say that he was consistently excellent. Childhood's End was his best (IMO and according to early Hugo voters).

I did read another of his Hugo winners when older - as soon as it came out in pocketpaper - Rendevous with Rama - which did not really do it.

Mr, Manarpies,

You may know that among the serious-film crowd your "lack of depth" comment would be greeted with wonder (if not derision). Kubrick chose to eschew exposition/narrative choosing instead to pace the action out very deliberately (what you may consider "shallow").

I used to argue, having forgotten the extensive background offered in "The Making of 2001...." (which had pride of place on my shelf beside "the Making of Star Trek" - which by the way, having been written for TV abounds with exposition), that Clarke's was a novelization.

This is decidedly not correct. Kubrick sought out Clarke after having read The Sentinel in which a highly magnetic artifact is found on the moon (sound familiar?) They collaborated for years on the film, which was groundbreaking in numerous ways and which is still a benchmark for sci-fi-cinema

("lack of depth" notwithstanding)
  • 3 years ago
Alex Awesome series. Hated the movie because of its lack of depth. In 2013, the film adaptation is also rather ludicrous, of course. The books however, still convey many novel ideas, despite its age. Recommended.
  • 3 years ago