2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction novel written by Arthur C. Clarke. It is based on Clarke's screenplay for the iconic film of the same name, which was directed by Stanley Kubrick. The book tells the story of a mysterious monolith discovered on the Moon and the subsequent mission to Jupiter to uncover its secrets. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a visionary and philosophical exploration of human evolution and the potential for extraterrestrial life. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece of science fiction literature.