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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Obviously, Prelude to Foundation, though Book 6 of Asimov's series, is a prequel, so the reader is often ahead of the characters and can hardly be surprised by where the novel ends up (though there are still some twists). But I'm a sucker for a scientific thriller and seeing just how Hari Seldon finds the key to psychohistory remains interesting to me. I admit I clued into the solution faster than Seldon did, but Asimov does a good job of keeping up the pace with world-building - expanding the Imperial capital of Trantor to a more complex world than imagined - and not unlike the prior (but chronologically later) quest for Earth, creating dangerous locales where action/suspense set pieces can play out. Seems like Hari was more of an action hero in his youth than later appearances would have belied, and the cast that evolves around him to create his original team are all interesting too. That said, it does suffer from repeated information (as ALL the books have), never more so than a conversational climax just like the one we had in Book 5. Still, in terms of characters and incidents, this is one of the better later novels in the line.
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Me ha gustado bastante.
Es verdad que sigue el patrón típico de Asimov que ya se ha visto en otros libros de la saga completa de la Fundación. Aventuras, viajes, el prota se tira todo el libro rumiando alguna idea en su cabeza, gran giro al final... Pero tiene frescura y un aire divertido que hace que te encariñes de los personajes (punto imprescindible en cualquier historia). Y por supuesto, lo que se desvela al final, puesss... Pues eso, vaya subidón xD.
Dentro de poco seguiré con la secuela y ya veremos como ubico la trilogía propia de la Fundación entre tanta lectura pendiente.
Amigo Asimov, menuda obra nos has dejado.
Es verdad que sigue el patrón típico de Asimov que ya se ha visto en otros libros de la saga completa de la Fundación. Aventuras, viajes, el prota se tira todo el libro rumiando alguna idea en su cabeza, gran giro al final... Pero tiene frescura y un aire divertido que hace que te encariñes de los personajes (punto imprescindible en cualquier historia). Y por supuesto, lo que se desvela al final, puesss... Pues eso, vaya subidón xD.
Dentro de poco seguiré con la secuela y ya veremos como ubico la trilogía propia de la Fundación entre tanta lectura pendiente.
Amigo Asimov, menuda obra nos has dejado.
Not just one constructed society this time... more like 5 or so. Each unique, and each based on some facet of existing culture in the present (or at least 20 years ago) taken to one extreme or another, which makes for interesting dynamics in relation to an "average" person.
Also, once again, Asimov weaves a story that logically unfolds right at the end, in such a way that you should have seen it coming, but you probably didn't.
Also, once again, Asimov weaves a story that logically unfolds right at the end, in such a way that you should have seen it coming, but you probably didn't.
Tedious. Sadly, this doesn't hold a candle to the main trilogy. Seldon is immature and mostly despicable, but the worst part is that almost nothing actually happens in this book.
Contrary to what seems to be the popular consensus, I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book for what it was. I first read these books out of order. The original trilogy, then the two that followed it. I had never read the robot books, prelude/forward/empire novels. So I have been doing this.
Having already read the original trilogy and two sequels (as well as The Complete Robot, 4 robot novels, 3 empire novels... ), I thoroughly enjoyed Prelude to Foundation. It is certainly NOT a necessary read, if all you want is to read the original books, but it is entertaining. Some people are bothered by how Seldon is portray, but they forget he is a mere 30 year old in this book. He is young and rash. With age comes wisdom. Furthermore, I enjoyed how this book showed that the building blocks to any great revolution do not rest solely on the mind of one individual. It is often many parts that build up the whole of something. Many individuals contributed to our vast wealth of knowledge. And this is reflected in Seldon's journey. You may perhaps not learn all you wish to know of Psychohistory, in fact very little. I am told in Forward to Foundation you get more of that. We shall see.
All in all this was a fun novel. It read at a good fast pace. I never felt bored. I never found there to be much in the way of a dull moment. And the conclusion... it will astound. I was blown away. Positively... startled. Right to the last page, as usual, Asimov keeps the reader captivated, right to the moment of finality and revelation!
Having already read the original trilogy and two sequels (as well as The Complete Robot, 4 robot novels, 3 empire novels... ), I thoroughly enjoyed Prelude to Foundation. It is certainly NOT a necessary read, if all you want is to read the original books, but it is entertaining. Some people are bothered by how Seldon is portray, but they forget he is a mere 30 year old in this book. He is young and rash. With age comes wisdom. Furthermore, I enjoyed how this book showed that the building blocks to any great revolution do not rest solely on the mind of one individual. It is often many parts that build up the whole of something. Many individuals contributed to our vast wealth of knowledge. And this is reflected in Seldon's journey. You may perhaps not learn all you wish to know of Psychohistory, in fact very little. I am told in Forward to Foundation you get more of that. We shall see.
All in all this was a fun novel. It read at a good fast pace. I never felt bored. I never found there to be much in the way of a dull moment. And the conclusion... it will astound. I was blown away. Positively... startled. Right to the last page, as usual, Asimov keeps the reader captivated, right to the moment of finality and revelation!