2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction novel by British writer Arthur C. Clarke, first published in 1968. Clarke wrote the novel alongside the development of Stanley Kubrick’s movie of the same name; the pair worked collaboratively on the story, which draws on several of Clarke’s previously published short works. The first part of the novel, concerning the evolution of early man and the role of an alien lifeform in this process, echoes the plot of Clarke’s 1953 short story “Encounter in the Dawn.” “The Sentinel” (first published in 1951 but written in 1948) also shares elements with 2001: A Space Odyssey and is often cited as a key source. This story concerns the discovery of an artifact on the Moon, left there long before by alien visitors.

In his essay “Back to 2001,” which is printed alongside the 2010 edition of his novel, Clarke writes that, because of this close collaboration, it is “hardly surprising that, even in my own mind, book and movie tend to be confused with each other—and with reality” (2). He also remembers that one challenge was to create “a story which would not be made obsolete” by unfolding events (2)—i.e., the impending mission to the Moon.