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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
The Stars, Like Dust (1951) is early, early Asimov. It, in fact, reminds me more of a spy thriller set in the world of science fiction. Set in the far future when mankind is subject to the empire run by the Tyranni (a race who apparently hold much in common with the Mongol warlords of ancient Earth), there is rumor of a planned rebellion against the Tyranni masters. At the beginning we have the hero--Biron Farrill, son of a planetary leader known as the Rancher of Widemos--barely escape a radioactive bomb left in his university dormitory. Biron has journeyed to the radioactive Earth to complete his degree....and attempt to fulfill a mission for his father (he's looking for a top-secret document that will aid the rebels).
Sander Jonti, who claims to know Biron's father, manages to save him just in the nick of time, and warns him that his father has been arrested for treason--mostly likely to face execution--and that this is just the first attempt that will be made on the Rancher's son. On Jonti's advice, Biron travels to Rhodia, the strongest of the conquered planets, where he hears about a planet where the forces of rebellion are gathering. He joins with Rhodia's Director's Artemisia oth Hinriad) daughter and others in an attempt to find the planet and aid the rebellion. But there are traitors everywhere and Biron will have to find a way to discover who he can really trust.
As mentioned--this is early Asimov. The makings of the great science fiction author are there, but this is not his best work. The characters aren't as developed as those in later novels and the world-building isn't quite as complete. But the adventure is exciting and the story is good overall--provided the reader remembers it was written in the 50s. The biggest problem is the ending--there isn't really a good resolution to the story. And from what I gather about the next novel in the Galactic Empire series (The Currents of Space), we don't really get any more later. I'd really like to know what happens with Biron, Artemisa, and the rest of the rebels....so if I'm wrong and there is more to their story in another of Asimov's books/short stories, please let me know. ★★ and a half stars. I'll round up on Goodreads.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Sander Jonti, who claims to know Biron's father, manages to save him just in the nick of time, and warns him that his father has been arrested for treason--mostly likely to face execution--and that this is just the first attempt that will be made on the Rancher's son. On Jonti's advice, Biron travels to Rhodia, the strongest of the conquered planets, where he hears about a planet where the forces of rebellion are gathering. He joins with Rhodia's Director's Artemisia oth Hinriad) daughter and others in an attempt to find the planet and aid the rebellion. But there are traitors everywhere and Biron will have to find a way to discover who he can really trust.
As mentioned--this is early Asimov. The makings of the great science fiction author are there, but this is not his best work. The characters aren't as developed as those in later novels and the world-building isn't quite as complete. But the adventure is exciting and the story is good overall--provided the reader remembers it was written in the 50s. The biggest problem is the ending--there isn't really a good resolution to the story. And from what I gather about the next novel in the Galactic Empire series (The Currents of Space), we don't really get any more later. I'd really like to know what happens with Biron, Artemisa, and the rest of the rebels....so if I'm wrong and there is more to their story in another of Asimov's books/short stories, please let me know. ★★ and a half stars. I'll round up on Goodreads.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
3.5 stars
While Asimov's prose flows a little more smoothly for much of this novel than in the Foundation series, THE STARS, LIKE DUST is still almost preposterously over-plotted. There are identity reveals, dramatic twists, chase sequences, betrayals, fights, races to prevent certain death...it's crazy, considering how few pages Asimov gives himself to work with.
The labyrinthine plotting is not helped by Asimov's lack of relatable characters. There was a stretch at the beginning of the novel when I *almost* cared about the main character, but that was over within a chapter or two.
Finally, the end of this book is one of the most egregious examples of 50s compensatory patriotism I've ever seen. It's almost as bad as the ST:TOS that appears to have ripped it off.
Despite all my bitching, though, this is just too much fun for me not to have enjoyed. As convoluted as the plot is, it's more than entertaining enough to drive the novel, and, as a fan of the FOUNDATION series, it's interesting to see one of the well-wrought building blocks of that world.
While Asimov's prose flows a little more smoothly for much of this novel than in the Foundation series, THE STARS, LIKE DUST is still almost preposterously over-plotted. There are identity reveals, dramatic twists, chase sequences, betrayals, fights, races to prevent certain death...it's crazy, considering how few pages Asimov gives himself to work with.
The labyrinthine plotting is not helped by Asimov's lack of relatable characters. There was a stretch at the beginning of the novel when I *almost* cared about the main character, but that was over within a chapter or two.
Finally, the end of this book is one of the most egregious examples of 50s compensatory patriotism I've ever seen. It's almost as bad as the ST:TOS that appears to have ripped it off.
Despite all my bitching, though, this is just too much fun for me not to have enjoyed. As convoluted as the plot is, it's more than entertaining enough to drive the novel, and, as a fan of the FOUNDATION series, it's interesting to see one of the well-wrought building blocks of that world.
An extremely long Star Trek: The Original Series episode.
So, I'm going through Asimov's suggested reading order for his works, since I really want to get a good background before (finally) getting to Foundation.
With this being one of the first books Asimov wrote, it has not aged well. In general it's pretty dull, shallow, sexist, childish for no good reason and frankly boring.
Asimov's writing style is forced in this story: the plot only really moves on when some character monologues about some deductive theory they have concerning everyone else's actions. In the Robot trilogy this makes a bit more sense, since R. Daneel and R. Giskard must work within the confines of their positronic brains.
The sense of time is off, or at least the characters are not developed enough for us to understand their motives completely. The so-called love story has no basis, and Farrill's outbursts are either ridiculous and/or cringe-worthy by today's standards.
I'm happy that Asimov himself lists this as his 'least favourite novel', because that's certainly the case in my mind (so far at least).
With this being one of the first books Asimov wrote, it has not aged well. In general it's pretty dull, shallow, sexist, childish for no good reason and frankly boring.
Asimov's writing style is forced in this story: the plot only really moves on when some character monologues about some deductive theory they have concerning everyone else's actions. In the Robot trilogy this makes a bit more sense, since R. Daneel and R. Giskard must work within the confines of their positronic brains.
The sense of time is off, or at least the characters are not developed enough for us to understand their motives completely. The so-called love story has no basis, and Farrill's outbursts are either ridiculous and/or cringe-worthy by today's standards.
I'm happy that Asimov himself lists this as his 'least favourite novel', because that's certainly the case in my mind (so far at least).
The ending was extremely corny, but it still was a good book.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I definitely liked this one better than a Pebble in the Sky, and it was more well constructed. Even if the characters may not develop much, they do have a humanness to them that makes up for it - Asimov resists the instincts that many writers have to give their characters the "correct" reaction, and he allows them to be irrational, even if they acknowledge it to themselves. Artemisia is...well, honestly the fact that she was unnecessary to the plot outside hiding him the one time is what bothered me, though of course some weird ideas abotu the way women think are folded in there as well. I will say the reveal as to what the document was made me roll my eyes even if I saw it coming,but I suppose he can be forgiven that flaw.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
This book was not great. It was one of Asimov's first novels and it shows.
Another reader said that it felt like more of a pulp novel instead of science fiction and I think that is a very accurate description.
The characters aren't bad, but they don't develop much as they do in his later works.
The overarching story that is set up is fairly interesting, but the inbetween parts leading up to it are a bit dull.
Another reader said that it felt like more of a pulp novel instead of science fiction and I think that is a very accurate description.
The characters aren't bad, but they don't develop much as they do in his later works.
The overarching story that is set up is fairly interesting, but the inbetween parts leading up to it are a bit dull.
I found this book quite full and even though it was easy to read, it took me quite some time to finish it beacse the characters, although lovely in their own right, were dull and simple, uni or bidimensional, the love story was really forced as were the plots twists, which are a few. Still, I'll keep reading Asimov. In a way, this book reminded me of Star Wars because of the science fiction and even the story... It lacked the usual character and places dept that I like. Do not recommend unless you are a committed reader or fancy simple stories with a bit of science fiction.
The main character (Biron) was insufferable. I kept reading, hoping perhaps this was on purpose, and at the end he'd be revealed as the villain and ejected into space. Alas.
First Read: 1/1/74
11/19/09
5/6/16
Asimov says the chronological order of the books, in terms of future history is:
The Currents of Space (Galactic Empire #2)
The Stars, Like Dust - (Galactic Empire #1)
Pebble in the Sky (Galactic Empire #3)
11/19/09
5/6/16
Asimov says the chronological order of the books, in terms of future history is:
The Currents of Space (Galactic Empire #2)
The Stars, Like Dust - (Galactic Empire #1)
Pebble in the Sky (Galactic Empire #3)