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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I thought this was one of the better Foundation books, especially for having read the others before it and this as a prequel. I don't think it would work as well as the first book, simply because there are so many references to what is to come in the series. It gave a good look into Hari Seldon's past, and what triggered the idea of psycho-history.
A fun connection between Asimov’s main projects.
This Foundation prequel should please readers who grew tired of the rather flaccid pace and writing of "Foundation's Edge"/"Foundation and Earth". Here his attempts to bridge the Robots and Foundation series seem to catch new energy, and his writing recaptures some of the grace and clarity I remember it for. The basic plot will seem very familiar to readers of "Foundation and Earth"--genius seeking a breakthrough travels about, at each point receiving a key to understanding the puzzle--but Hari Seldon's quest feels less nebulous and more interesting than Golan Trevize's. Also, Asimov FINALLY manages to create a female character I can find interesting and enjoyable in Dors--I won't spoil you on how he manages it, but it definitely makes sense.
Clunky clumsy, sexist and meh. I still vaguely remember the main series being great when I read it decades ago, so I will push on.
I read the original Foundation series way back when I was a kid in my 20s. I am just now getting around to the additional books Asimov wrote beginning with Prelude. It made me want to follow the entire series agin in order and I will over time. This precursor is a satisfying look at how Hari Seldon got started down the path of psychohistory and predicting future events. It doesn't move as fast as the books of today's thriller authors, but it does keep you engrossed and following the fortunes and misfortunes of Hari and his entourage as they search for a working foundation for his novel mathematical postulate.
As a writer of ideas, Asimov is superb. As a writer of story, Asimov is very good. As a writer of characters, Asimov is abysmal.
Maybe if/when I read the robot books, this will seem more interesting but for now, it felt kind of like nothing ever quite happened that mattered.
I haven’t read any Asimov in along time. The technology often seems like outdated special effects but the quality of his craftsmanship makes that unimportant compared to the ideas explored.
adventurous
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Not the fastest paced, but kept my interest.
I've always been an Asimov fan, so I'm reading this series for the first time, in the order the author intended.
I've always been an Asimov fan, so I'm reading this series for the first time, in the order the author intended.