2001: A Space Odyssey2001: A Space Odyssey
Score Classic
What it's about
From the African savanna at the dawn of humanity to the moons of Saturn, Arthur C. Clarke's novel follows a mysterious black monolith that seems to guide human evolution. When one is found buried on the Moon, the spaceship Discovery sets out across the solar system, its mission controlled by HAL 9000, an artificial intelligence that rivals, and perhaps threatens, the human mind.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most famous science fiction novels ever written, developed alongside Stanley Kubrick's film. Its ideas about evolution, artificial intelligence and our place in the universe still feel ahead of their time.
You'll love it if you liked
Good to know
It's short and clearer than the film, which explains the ending more directly. Clarke wrote three sequels, beginning with 2010: Odyssey Two.
By the numbers
- Readers72 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics25 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller66 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #45 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #158 of the 762 classics we rank
- #486 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Thought-provoking
More by Arthur C. Clarke
Rendezvous with Rama
The Fountains of Paradise
Childhood's EndIf you like this, read next
Ender's Game
The Lord of the Rings
The Dispossessed
Ficciones
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Forever WarExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is 2001: A Space Odyssey worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most famous science fiction novels ever written, developed alongside Stanley Kubrick's film. It ranks #486 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 78.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is 2001: A Space Odyssey about?
From the African savanna at the dawn of humanity to the moons of Saturn, Arthur C. Clarke's novel follows a mysterious black monolith that seems to guide human evolution. When one is found buried on the Moon, the spaceship Discovery sets out across the solar system, its mission controlled by HAL 9000, an artificial intelligence that rivals, and perhaps threatens, the human mind.
How long does it take to read 2001: A Space Odyssey?
About 6 hours (221 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after 2001: A Space Odyssey?
If you liked it, try Dune by Frank Herbert, Foundation by Isaac Asimov or Hyperion by Dan Simmons.