I have adored _2001_ , the book and film, since childhood. And for years, I couldn’t put into words what compelled that love. Then, at uni, I was introduced to Rudolf Otto, who is my go-to for understanding awe, and he described in _The Idea of the Holy,_ what I found with _2001_ the book and film- the emotional power of the overwhelming unknown. As Otto described it, a _"' creature-consciousness' or creature-feeling. It is the emotion of a creature, abased and overwhelmed by its own nothingness in contrast to that which is supreme above all creatures."_ That captures with unerring perfection _2001_ Lots of folks “dunk” on Clarke for his lack of characterization. But he is the only SF author in my life who perfectly caught true awe in every phase of intelligent life-hominid, human, and AI.
I’m slacking because I haven’t read any of these three yet. 😔 I’ve always been intimidated by Heinlein for some reason. Haven’t read any of his works yet. Maybe this video will serve as motivation! 👏
I agree with you when it comes to all three books, except I’d give Stranger 2 stars as I dnf it. 2001 and Fundation are books that I’m do for a re-read as it’s been maybe 30 years… I remember enjoying them both. Btw, could a SF author have a better name than Moon!? 😀
Thanks for watching. 2001 feels like a timeless classic to me - the novel and film both. I don't think Foundation has aged quite as well, still enjoyable to read but definitely feels dated.
@@bookspin It’s interesting that the things that would bother me now about Foundation went mostly unnoticed by me when I read it as a teen in the 90’s. I re-watched 2001 S.O. recently on a flight from NY and the movie is visually stunning. I can’t believe it was made in the 60’s!
The way I originally got into SciFi is that I ran out of books in the YA section of my small town library and that was the next shelf over! LOL. I read tons of Asimov (all the Foundation and Robot books) and Heinlein, but the Heinlein I think was mostly his more YA/short story stuff. I did eventually get to Stranger, but I DNF'd it. I got disenchanted even with his shorter works - young white brainy man with pretty, vacuous female sidekick invents cool thing that changes the world, rinse and repeat. Asimov was better, but I think I liked the Robot books more than Foundation. Also read a lot of Bradbury at that point - although the ones I found and really loved were LeGuin's. I have yet to read any Clarke! 😱 Though I have watched, and been confused by, the movie of 2001. 😂
I didn't like Stranger in a Strange Land at all, either. For me it's more like 1-2 stars only. For Heinlein, I find his earlier works more traditional interesting science fiction, and most of his later works get worse and worse.
