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I wasn’t expecting much from this, having been badly burned by reading one of the other “great ideas” authors in the form of Isaac Asimov (he may have had some great ideas, but his writing is third-rate and his characters are poorly drawn…) So I was pleasantly surprised by how easy Clarke is to read (as long as you can get over the inbuilt sexism and colonialism, and the curious devotion to Great Men of Science and Business). But not much happened, really. Short version: there is other life in the solar system, and the Monoliths are full of woo. Most of the book seemed to be setting up for a climax that never really arrived. Probably of interest to Odyssey completists, but there are better books out there.

I wasn’t expecting much from this, having been badly burned by reading one of the other “great ideas” authors in the form of Isaac Asimov (he may have had some great ideas, but his writing is third-rate and his characters are poorly drawn…) So I was pleasantly surprised by how easy Clarke is to read (as long as you can get over the inbuilt sexism and colonialism, and the curious devotion to Great Men of Science and Business). But not much happened, really. Short version: there is other life in the solar system, and the Monoliths are full of woo. Most of the book seemed to be setting up for a climax that never really arrived. Probably of interest to Odyssey completists, but there are better books out there.

One of those books that makes you realise that great authors are considered great for a reason. A fairly simple comedy - perhaps it was more unusual when first published - but still full of good ideas, characters and action. I only felt it had lost its way once or twice, which is so much better than many books.

A very strange trip through the 20th Century and its intellectuals. I admit to not knowing details of most of the players, but those whose stories and contributions I did know are captured perfectly. Possibly a bit too much tennis for me…