This book is supposed to close the tetralogy started with: 2001: A Space Odyssey. If considered in relation to this goal, this book is more than mediocre. Indeed, most of the story focuses on Frank Poole awoke from the dead (between "Hibernatus" and "Helen Ripley") in the 31st century (Odysseus returns-in-in ...). This young engineer astronaut will then discover the technological marvels of this company. On this level there, which constitutes the bulk of the novel, the story is quite captivating. The script actually starts until the last third, which may confuse aficionado monolith. The end is truly outrageous, and really suggests that the author, short of ideas, got rid of her baby.