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shawniebooks's review against another edition
2.0
I found most of this book tedious. I enjoyed the alternate universe towards the end, of course, just as Asimov moved us along to another part.
tonyleachsf's review against another edition
4.0
Super enjoyable classic sci fi, except for the tired trope in the third act of earth human lusting after naked, attractive interplanetary women.
(I suppose it wasn’t so tired a trope in 1972 but in any case it dates the novel and distracts from the rest of the plot).
(I suppose it wasn’t so tired a trope in 1972 but in any case it dates the novel and distracts from the rest of the plot).
jessdreamsofnightmares's review against another edition
5.0
The book splits into three different parts with a focus on different main characters- some characters from earth and others from a para-universe. Loved how Assimov uncovers the all-too human motivations that lead to scientific discoveries (revenge, stubbornness, curiosoty, fear, love), and the deep entanglement of ration and emotion.
grayjay's review against another edition
3.0
Humans have discovered an energy source that is abundant but may blow up the universe in the future. Can the few scientists who know convince people that this risk is great enough to give up the energy for? Does our desire for comfort in the present take precedent over the cost for future generations.
This novel by Asimov feels particularly resonant in our time, even though it pre-dates the climate crisis by half a century.
These is also a significant amount weird sex and gender dynamics material going on both with humans and with aliens.
This novel by Asimov feels particularly resonant in our time, even though it pre-dates the climate crisis by half a century.
These is also a significant amount weird sex and gender dynamics material going on both with humans and with aliens.
oao's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t care much for the first and third chapters, but loved the middle one.
ishanjmukherjee's review against another edition
4.0
I remember having found this an exhilarating read when I was younger. Not sure how it'd hold up today, though.
alfsan's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first Asimov and it definitely lived up to the Hype. I searched around for what to read first and stumbled unto this, Caves of steel, and the Foundations Series. I chose this because of the blurb.
I loved his style, the caracters and also the explanation and break down of complex scientific theories / terms that makes you not only understand but also makes you imagine the whole implcations. Later on they become an essential part of the story.
I can sense that there are many layers in this book and I can assume that is part of his signature and charm. From the relevance of social interaction no matter the universe or species, sci fi theories all the way to a social or environmental critique. This little bubbles of complexity, layers, and relevance of subjects makes you feel submerged in the novel, always feeling empathetic because you can withdraw certain similarities to our current world situation.
I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in less than 3 days, didn't feel long, kept me very interested and the overall ending had enough "twists" to finish with a small big bang.
I loved his style, the caracters and also the explanation and break down of complex scientific theories / terms that makes you not only understand but also makes you imagine the whole implcations. Later on they become an essential part of the story.
I can sense that there are many layers in this book and I can assume that is part of his signature and charm. From the relevance of social interaction no matter the universe or species, sci fi theories all the way to a social or environmental critique. This little bubbles of complexity, layers, and relevance of subjects makes you feel submerged in the novel, always feeling empathetic because you can withdraw certain similarities to our current world situation.
I can honestly say I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in less than 3 days, didn't feel long, kept me very interested and the overall ending had enough "twists" to finish with a small big bang.
larix10dua's review against another edition
4.0
Even as I did kinda predict the ending, it still surprised me. Can't explain it any better than that.
Isaac Asimov is a genius in the sci-fi genre, and I hope to read many more.
This is, as I understand, a kind of outlier, in the way that it actually depicts aliens. Something he hasn't really done in any other book.
Isaac Asimov is a genius in the sci-fi genre, and I hope to read many more.
This is, as I understand, a kind of outlier, in the way that it actually depicts aliens. Something he hasn't really done in any other book.
ztaylor4's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the parts on earth, the parts on the moon were ok, and the parts in the parallel universe went on way too long. The descriptions of alien mating and emotional responses weren't bad--some other Asimov works feel stilted, but these didn't--but they took me away from the part of the story that I actually cared about for far too long.
If I hadn't been listening to an audiobook on a long ride, I would have just barely skimmed the sections on "the soft ones."
If I hadn't been listening to an audiobook on a long ride, I would have just barely skimmed the sections on "the soft ones."