Odyssey's 2001: A Space Odyssey

The title of the novel I have read is 2001: A Space Odyssey. This novel depicts a mission to Saturn. Its purpose: to discover the origin and nature of the ET species that left TMA-1, the Tycho-monolith abnormality behind on the moon. The definition of odyssey is ‘a long series of wanderings or adventures, especially filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc’, which, in itself, could describe the nature of this novel. It is set in the late 20th century and early 21st century. In short, the title means a wild adventure through space in the year 2001. The word odyssey implies hardship and discoveries and the story occurs in space in 2001. It first occurs, however, some 3 million years prior, revolving around a man-ape named Moon-Watcher.