Book Review: The Odyssey Series: 2001, 2010, 2061, and 3001, by Arthur C. Clarke – NSS

https://space.nss.org/book-review-the-odyssey-series-2001-2010-2061-and-3001-by-arthur-c-clarke/

Arthur Clarke has written another excellent science fiction novel in 2061, the third in the four- volume Odyssey series.

This odyssey begins with a flight on the spaceship Universe for a visit to Halley’s comet on its return visit during the year 2061. Dr. Floyd is one of  the passengers on this trip. There are a few others, but they have little impact on the adventure. A third of the book is devoted to the exploration of the comet.

The Universe then receives a message that there has been a problem on Europa. The spaceship Galaxy has crash landed on Europa and needs help, and the Universe is the only ship available that can go to the rescue. And one of the crew of the Galaxy is Chris Floyd, Dr. Floyd’s grandson.

Then the same mysterious message in the book 2010 is repeated: “All these worlds are yours – except Europa. Attempt no landings there.” The Galaxy has crash landed on Europa in violation of this mysterious edict.

The Galaxy had been hijacked and crash landed on Europa so the hijacker could investigate a mountain made of diamonds, expecting to make a fortune. However, as the survivors of the Galaxy are being rescued, the diamond mountain sinks into the watery portion of Europa.

The book ends more or less with the crews of both the Universe and the Galaxy back on Earth.  And the diamond mountain is gone.  The creatures of Europa, untouched by humans, are able to continue their evolution.

This book continues the Odyssey journey beginning with 2001. It is my opinion that Clarke was expanding his view of the future in this novel. One where space flight, exploration and evolution are at work in the Solar System.

2061 is a good read and equal to the ability of Clarke to work action, excitement, plot, and human emotions into plausible descriptions of space flight and exploration in the solar system. Continuity is also maintained by using the black monoliths as a thread in the series, as well as by using characters from the previous two novels. However, where 2001 is a must, 2061 is seen more as just a pleasant journey through the world of Arthur C. Clarke.