I had seen the movie several times before reading this book and I was pleasantly surprised at how readable and interesting the book was even when I already knew the general plot of the story. Clarke has an easy to read writing style that keeps your attention throughout the entire book while still painting a nicely detailed world. I enjoyed how grounded the science-fiction was. I highly recommend this book to anybody who enjoyed the movie.

Several reviews mention that the book gives too much away, in contrast to the movie which leaves viewers puzzled as to what actually happened. Yes, the book spells things out much more, but the mystique and grandeur of it are not compromised and instead, I have a new appreciation for Clarke's vision without much of a loss and appreciation for Kubrick's realization of that vision. ( )

I was into this book right until the very end when it went completely off the stratosphere and became incomprehensible to me. The premise was great, the conflict was excellent, and the rising drama had me spellbound until the climax made me sit back and go "Huh?" It was definitely memorable, though. ( )

An enjoyable story that far surpasses the movie. According to what I've read, they were both made simultaneously, which makes the vast difference in quality all the more surprising. I disagreed with many of the points the book seemed to be making about humankind, but that didn't make the illustration of those points any less fantastic. Be warned though the ending is ridiculous. ( )

This was a great to start to a wonderful series. HAL was intriguing. The whole concept was profound. ( )

2001 has been called the “definitive science fiction book of all time.” I have read a fair amount of science fiction. I plan to read a lot more. I found 2001 merely average. The three sections of the book are almost stand-alone tales; the transition between is mildly confusing. It took me quite some time to read this, as I was not terribly engaged with the tale except during Hal’s defection. Even that, though, was a little telegraphed. The alternate creation myth was thought-provoking, but not terribly engaging. I do; however, want to know what happens next, so I will be picking up 2010 shortly. ( )