3001 The Final Odyssey - Arthur C. Clarke

As a closure the final part of Clarke's tetralogy is a mixture of everything - there is love, renewed friendship after almost 1,000 years, unbelievable jump of the technology, computerized brains, dinosaurs-servants, a star city, spanning in the geostationary orbit of the Earth, and colonization of some of the moons. 3001 The Final Odyssey is still disconnected from the past three parts but Clark sticks to his main point and elaborates on it further.

Technology has reached such levels that communication, studying, politics, and economics have become almost obsolete. Humanity has invented the brain cap - a computerized tool that connects to the human brain, able to transfer knowledge, to induce positive feelings, to cure insomnia and depression, and to be used to communicate with others. Privacy is no longer a luxury - the brain cap is able to read a person's mind and to store it on a little flash disk. All you have ever been, felt, experienced, loathed, or loved is simply turned into a computer chip.

Moreover, space travel is now not limited to the chosen few astronauts. People have colonized some of the moons of Jupiter and have established their little towns there. Four gigantic space elevators are build in strategic places on the equator. They are connected to create the Star City - a space replication of the Earth, where people live an almost earthly life. Flying, dinosaurs, computerized images of everything you might wish, swimming pools, etc are among the few features of this Space City. People act more like machines than like flesh-and-blood species. In this part of the novel I was reminded of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. In the latter, the author explores a utopian world, where people are conditioned from their birth to certain feelings and expressions. Love and affection are obsolete and sex and drugs are used as recreational activity. This is a rather extreme view, but the similarities with Clark's world in 3001 are obvious. The brain cap is a form of computerized control over the human mind and soul, and the computerized images generated to induce positive feelings can be related to the happiness drug in Huxley's world. In addition, criminals in Clarke's world are no longer put in jails. Instead, they are conditioned to be servants until their punishment expires. At the end, they return to the normal world without any memory of what has happened. Again this form of positive conditioning reminds of extreme forms of human control, one of which can be seen in Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange. As much as a supporter of the advancements of technology Arthur Clarke is, the author insightfully points out that the short-comings of this technological jump in most times outrun the human intentions and imagination.

In this world an old friend from 2001 A Space Odyssey returns. Frank Poole, the tragically killed astronaut by the computer Hal is discovered in the orbit of Neptune. He managed to survive for nearly 1,000 thanks to being frozen to almost zero. Now Poole wakes up a stranger in a strange world. He is regarded as a museum exhibit; even the language he speaks has become ancient. Having spent 1,000 in gravitation levels less than the Earths, Poole cannot return anymore to his home planet. He is living in the Star City trying to comprehend and to get used to the new technologies. Doomed to failure, Frank realizes the only place he feels as home is the space. The astronaut joins a space expedition to the forbidden moon of Europa. People believe that as the friend of Dave Bowman, he is the only that will be allowed to land there. Meanwhile, the Europeans have evolved thanks to the newly formed sun Lucifer. They are though still primitive species and lack any intellect.

After almost 1,000 years a friendship is renewed - Frank Poole and the star child Dave Bowman meet again. A millenium hasn't change much. The monoliths are still in the universe, controlled by unknown superintelligent extra-terrestrial life, looking for species with potential to develop a civilization. After humanity, Europeans are their next experiment, hence the burning of Jupiter into Lucifer to provide their planet with sun. However, the evolutionary push these geniuses have given humans result in a civilization that has reached unbelievable heights. Europeans, on the other hand, remain at their primitive level with no signs of development.

As I mentioned in my previous post, humanity is a feeling highly persistent, even if one spends 1,000 years in space as a form of ultra-intelligent energy. Bowman still feels connected to his previous life and body; he cautions Poole that the Earth is to be destroyed by the same intelligence that has created it. Now humanity has to gather all those biochemical, computer, and bacterial viruses to destroy someone they haven't seen and they don't understand. Ironically, the weapons people created for self-destruction and which have been carefully hidden for the past thousands of years, will be now used for their rescue.

In his tetralogy about space travel Arthur Clarke aided in the understanding of the human universe, prompted some experiments yet to be implemented, and forecasted discoveries not yet made. His imagination is vivid, his knowledge about the effect of technology on humanity is insightful, and his talent is extraordinary. Deservingly named one of the Big Three of science-fiction. His novels are sometimes purely science, sometimes fiction, but overall they are novels that bring this course of literature to unmatched heights. Arthur Clarke's genius helped me realize I judged science-fiction far too quickly and far too severely. It is not merely a fantastical world - all of the author's suggestions and descriptions are backed up by technology so far. They are just visionary thoughts and expectations to where humanity might reach to if progress continuous at such a rapid pace. I loved Arthur Clarke, I loved Space Odyssey and I am sad that the space century of the world seems rather over, or at least stuck in one place.

2061 Odyssey Three - Arthur C. Clarke

There are no boundaries for human curiosity and imagination. Even after the unequivocal warning of the Europa extra terrestrial life not to land there, people were even more fascinated and impatient to explore the forbidden land. It took them half a century to successfully land on Jupiter's moon and to come closer to understanding the hostility of its natives.

Thanks to the advancement of technology, which allows him to live in an environment with a g 1/10 of the Earth g, Heywood Floyd, the famous scientist from the first two parts of the tetralogy, is still alive. At the age of 103 (but looking like a healthy 70-years-old grandfather) Floyd is among the 6 famous people invited to a space journey to the Halley's Comet. The purpose of this revolutionary initiative is to make Universe the first space ship to land on the comet. Meanwhile, investigations around the newly formed Sun, Lucifer (former Jupiter) continue. People have managed to build bases on some of its moons but still keep on a safe distance from the forbidden Europa.

That is until the scientist Van der Berg makes an unbelievable discovery of what actually constitutes mountain Zeus, the biggest mountain on Europa. This discovery, if known to the larger public will result into political and economic conflicts over supremacy. The essence of mountain Zeus is able to make its controller one of the richest people in the universe. Unfortunately, other people also discover that information. When the spaceship Galaxy is sent to analyze the space around Europa, a traitor forces its landing on the forbidden moon. People have outraged the warning given them by the extra terrestrial life. Galaxy cannot return to Earth and the crew spends its time floating in Europa's sees and hoping for rescue. Scientist Van der Berg and Floyd's grandson Chris go on a journey to the foot of the mountain to prove the discovery - the whole Zeus is a big diamond, which at the end of the novel disappears into the soil. However, scientists investigate the theory that the core of Jupiter and its moons also contain pieces of the precious metal. Will humanity be able to use this abundant resource or will the other civilizations hinder that. We just have to wait and see.

As for David Bowman, the Star Child, his continuing presence in space, and especially around the Earth missions proves his ever-lasting connection to the human civilization, Even though together with Sal, Bowman vanquishes to some unknown powerful civilization, he manifests personality and free will. The strange couple of energy is to be joined by one of the main characters at the end. What are the three up to and are they going to continue helping the strange black monolith spread knowledge in the galaxies?

What I like mostly about the tetralogy so far is Clarke's interpretation of the dawn of human civilization. The author portrays an alien form of life, which existed long before any life on earth. This civilization used the resource of reason and mind to develop, ultimately leaving behind its imperfect material part and living as energy in the universe. Then it started looking for worlds with the potential of hosting the emerging of another civilization. The strange black monoliths these energy-creatures positioned in various places in the universe prompted the species to evolve. One of this black blocks helped our ancient ancestors the hominids discover tools and eventually win supremacy over the rest of the species on Earth. This theory doesn't in anyway undermine Darwin. Indeed, it strengthens it since it shows only the strongest will adapt and survive. Clark just gives an idea about the initial push humanity needed to start the path towards progress that is lasting more than 3 million years now.

Definitely out of superlatives about Arthur Clarke. What I will just say is that the third part so far was the most enthralling. A nice break from talking about Jupiter and its moons and focusing on a largely unexploited topic - the Halley's comet and its eventual return in 2061. Most importantly, Clarke doesn't forget about the main line of narration and gives the reader bit by bit more information about the mysterious intellect that closely monitors the Earth and affects its development.

2010 Odyssey Two - Arthur C. Clarke

When writing a science-fiction novel of the calibre of Arthur Clarke's Space Odyssey it is totally understandable, if not absolutely expectable, that the sequel would not follow exactly the events that preceded it. As the author himself points out, the four parts of Space Odyssey MUST be regarded as separate pieces of literature. They indeed feature common characters, but not necessarily in the same universe. How great a statement and how perfectly it fits into the whole grand concept of Clarke's masterpiece.

2010 Odyssey Two obviously takes place 9 years after the tragic destiny of Discovery, the space ship sent to examine Saturn, which found the same strange monolith structure, as the one on the Moon. In this novel, however, the monolith is now floating around Jupiter. Between the publishing of the two novels, technology increased at amazing rates. Observations and conclusions from viewing space objects, and especially Jupiter, added more to the human understanding about the universe. Thus, Clarke chose to focus on Jupiter, instead of Saturn, as in the first part. There are also other minor difference but contrary to expectations they do not disappoint the reader. In fact, the change of scenery contributes to the immerse power of the tetralogy. In every part Clarke takes us to different parts of the galaxy, still not deviating from his main theme of the great, yet dangerous consequences of the increasing human presence outside the Earth.

The joined US-Soviet space ship Alexei Leonov (named after the great Russian astronaut) travels to the orbits of Jupiter not only to investigate the strange monolith, but also to bring back Discovery and to find out what has happened to David Bowman. On board is again doctor Heywood Floyd, the scientist who assisted in the observations of the first strange monolith discovered on the Moon. Unfortunately for the US-Soviet crew, a Chinese ship, Tsien, also aimed at Jupiter, manages to arrive there quicker. Upon trying to land on one of its moons, Europa, the spaceship is destroyed by a strange creature and all of the crew is killed. Meanwhile, the reborn Star Child David Bowman returns in the form of spirit (or power, or...whatever your imagination tells you) to visit some of his most beloved people. Moreover, through the computer Hal, it warns the Leonov crew that they are to leave immediately the orbits of Jupiter or else be subject to an unknown danger. Finally, at the end of the novel a New Sun is born through the explosion of what used to be the biggest planet in the Solar system. Discovery is destroyed and Leonov is saved only thanks to the weird message from the Star Child. And the humans receive a message that won't be soon forgotten: "ALL THESE WORLDS ARE YOURS EXCEPT EUROPA. ATTEMPT NO LANDINGS THERE". The terrestrial life has admitted its existence, acknowledged the presence of the humans, and warned them to stay away. However, as we know, the boundaries of human curiosity are endless. Will the people honor this warning or would they soon return to examine Europa and the life that openly has declared war to humanity? And what about the strange black monoliths that seem to have a strong connection to the other civilizations. Every time they appear, humanity is faced with a deadly situation. What will the monolith do next? Arthur Clarke will give answers in 2061 Odyssey 3

Contrary to many examples in world literature, the first part of Space Odyssey doesn't in anyway surpass in excellency the second. In fact, the genius of Clarke is yet to show its great potential. The author once again proves he has a vast imagination and an ability to accurately predict the paths technology is going to take in the years to come. Keeping in mind Clarke was 65 years old when he wrote his second part, the reader feels admiration and respect to his forward vision. After all, this is the guy who predicted the invention and use of satellites long before they were actually implemented to study the Universe. This fact speaks for itself for the talent of Mr. Clarke.

2001 A Space Odyssey - Arthur C. Clarke

A real odyssey is upon to hit ReadWithStyle. For the next four blogposts I am going to take you on an amazing journey through our galaxy and beyond. I have already made the first step, with Arthur C. Clarke's 2001 A Space Odyssey (1968).

Arthur C. Clarke is a British science-fiction writer, inventor, and futurist. Together with Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein, he is one of the "Big Three" of science-fiction. Two somewhat contrary views make up the basis to understanding Clarke's literature - religion and paranormal phenomena. Although themes of religion and spirituality indeed appear in his works, the author's view is somewhat unconventional. He regards the path to knowledge as the path to God (or to reality). Combined with his long life fascination with paranormal phenomena, Clarke creates a Utopian world, where the evolution of intelligent species would make them closer to gods. In his novels, the British genius depicts a world with highly developed technology, ecology, and society. The author's ideals are clear - only highly intelligent individuals are able to understand the complexity of the Universe and its endless power. In that complicated sense, religion and paranormality interact to arrive at one of the most fascinating chef doeuvre of world literature - A Space Odyssey.

2001 A Space Odyssey is the result of a collaboration between two great minds - the mind of the science-fiction writer Clarke and the mind of the director Stanley Kubrick. The novel was actually published AFTER the movie screening.

The novel begins nearly 3 million years BC when an extraintelligent alien race uses a mechanism in the form of a crystalline monolith to search and encourage the development of life across the universe. One of these monoliths prompts the ancient predecessors of the human race, the hominids, to discover tools and to put the beginning of the dominance of the people over the rest of the species on the Earth. Clarke then takes us to 1999, when a group of scientists discovers a weird magnetic disturbance on the Moon. The large black object, upon contact with the Sun, sends a signal transmission to the Universe, most specifically to Japetus, one of Saturn's moons. What petrifies the discoverers of the object is that its dimensions are in the perfect ratio of 1:4:9 and it is dated more than 3 million years ago. The conclusion is implacable: the monolith is a proof of the existence of extraterrestrial life long before the human beings populate the Earth.

2 years later, a space ship is sent on a secret mission to Japetus to search for life or any remains of it there. After tragic incidents the only survivor is the captain of the ship, Dr David Bowman. Upon reaching Japetus, Bowman discovers another monolith, similar to the one of the Moon. This monolith is a Star Gate to other galaxies. Absorbed by its power, Bowman is taken through a pathway of stars into a universe far away from the Solar system. After falling asleep in an artificially created calm and familiar atmosphere, Bowman is reborn a Star Child, an immortal species with abilities to live and travel through spaces. All of his memories are carefully stored in the galaxy and he is returning to the Earth with new, unknown and unbelievable powers. His arrival coincides with the greatest disaster upon to hit the world, a disaster caused by the USSR and the USA which nearly destroyed the world as we know it. After preventing it ( I sense you all know what I am talking about), the Star Child is up to anything. And I can't wait to see where Arthur Clarke is going to take us.

The British author has an imagination as vast as the universe itself. Clarke takes us from ancient to present times with a steady hand, explaining vividly the course of evolution not only so far but in the years to come as well. The perils of technology and the nuclear race, the importance of knowledge and development, the dangers of creating uncontrollable technology and the capacities and shortcomings of the human mind are all themes that make 2001 A Space Odyssey a science-fiction novel hard to be forgotten. Immersed by Clarke's world, I travelled million of kilometers only by sitting comfortably in my couch. I sense the journey is just beginning as the three novels to follow are surely to be as provocative, as enthralling, and as intellectually stimulating as the first one. Do not miss this experience.

My Experience on the Sofia Book Market

The annual Sofia Book Market is a fact. From 7th to 12th of December the National Culture Palace becomes the center of a reading fever. All publishers and bookstores are there, presenting their most famous bestsellers and trying desperately to make the ever so poor Bulgarian reader spare some money on a new book (s). Of course, there is 20% off on every novel you purchase, which is a very good reason to at least think about improving your library.

I do not need to mention that I was there the first day the market opened. I spent 2 blissful hours going around it, checking out new and old books, making a list of all the novels I wanted to buy, smelling new books, asking questions. Basically, I has having the time of my life. I was pleasantly surprised by the initiative of the French Institute. The latter created a reading cafe in the middle of the market, where one can sit, go through some of the contemporary (and no so contemporary) French pieces of literature and just read. Basically, you can sit there the whole day, surrounded by the smell of books and read with no fee at all. You don't have to buy a book or pay anything; you are entitled to read as much as you want. I took advantage of this opportunity and that is how I stumbled on a book, which I bought afterwards.

Laurent Gounelle's L'Homme Qui Voulait Etre Heureux (The Man Who Wanted to be Happy) attracted me firstly with its title and then with the description on the back. Gounelle is a French psychologist and writer, who explores the problems of human happiness and mental equilibrium. As my mom says lately I am more and more into psychological books, novels that explore the nature of human content and stability, novels that help you discover who you really are and what you want out of life. By exploring so many different aspects, I get closer to understanding myself and my dreams. I also realize I am not the person I thought I was. I realize the dreams I thought would make me happy upon achievement do not bring anything but mere resentment and disappointment because I am still not happy. That is why I am determined (and actually fascinated by the possibility) to read as many self help, self understand, or whatever those books might be called. Some are very good (Eat Pray Love) some do not work for me (Froth on the Capuchino) and others just transform my world view completely (Ayn Rand's literature, although she is not really a self-help type of writer). I can't wait to see what Gounelle has to say about the subject since once more I will have the chance to touch the Buddhist culture and way of thinking through exploring L'Homme Qui Voulait Etre Heureux.

Of course I didn't want to limit myself to only buying one book but unfortunately due to budget restraints I had to. I nevertheless made a list of all the books I wanted to buy eventually (so that I do not forget) and I attempted to convince my mother that I absolutely desperately need all of them. She was not that sure at all, given that my room starts to look more like a library than like a living space ( I literally have no space to accomodate my books already) + she doesn't really believe in buying books. She is the type "I will borrow from the public library" type. I am different, so I am determined to own these novels one way or another. So here is my wish list for next couple of months:

1. Anne Heller - Ayn Rand and the World She Made
2. James Clavell - Shogun
3. Ray Bradbury - All
4. George Orwell - Animal Farm
5. Arthur Clarke - A Space Odyssey














If you still haven't visited Sofia Book Market, I urge you to do so. We must support this amazing initiative and prove that Bulgarians still read and are still ready to spare some cash for a good book.