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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a ride, and I never saw the twist at the end coming.
It does take some time to get into the groove with the writing and world-building, but the wait is worth it.
Written around Hari Seldon's (a mathematician proposing "psychohistory" - a possibility to predict the future with the help of mathematics) perspective, the author explains every conversation, thought process, and situation Seldon encounters in great detail. So much that sometimes it starts to feel unnecessary and tedious at times.
What I found most interesting in the book was the analysis of the human mind and reading from the stance as though the present is the past. Moreover, there were delicate topics highlighted: racism and injustice people face due to poverty with other societal/ political issues. To have this book written in the 80s with a non-conservative opinion is commendable. The most engaging things mentioned were the technologies: robots, electric power, hydraulic lifts, and e-readers (or at least that's how I perceived them to be!). To have a vision spanning years beyond existence is baffling. A work of a genius!
I never quite figured out what the correct reading order was supposed to be for a newbie, and I felt blindsided halfway into the book. In the end, I sensed that things were unclear and missing, leading to the belief that I probably picked the incorrect book from the series as the first. It ended up being a motivator to discontinue the series, and a 5+ book series is not an easy commitment.
It does take some time to get into the groove with the writing and world-building, but the wait is worth it.
Written around Hari Seldon's (a mathematician proposing "psychohistory" - a possibility to predict the future with the help of mathematics) perspective, the author explains every conversation, thought process, and situation Seldon encounters in great detail. So much that sometimes it starts to feel unnecessary and tedious at times.
What I found most interesting in the book was the analysis of the human mind and reading from the stance as though the present is the past. Moreover, there were delicate topics highlighted: racism and injustice people face due to poverty with other societal/ political issues. To have this book written in the 80s with a non-conservative opinion is commendable. The most engaging things mentioned were the technologies: robots, electric power, hydraulic lifts, and e-readers (or at least that's how I perceived them to be!). To have a vision spanning years beyond existence is baffling. A work of a genius!
I never quite figured out what the correct reading order was supposed to be for a newbie, and I felt blindsided halfway into the book. In the end, I sensed that things were unclear and missing, leading to the belief that I probably picked the incorrect book from the series as the first. It ended up being a motivator to discontinue the series, and a 5+ book series is not an easy commitment.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The first novel of Asimov’s series within its time frame engages with many of the strong sci-fi tropes common to the field. Its a good set up regarding the role of history, science, and humanity. It does not really have to much emotional tethers at this stage .
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
I honestly wasn't sure for the first half but by the end I was all in. Definitely continuing this series!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I'm actually glad that I read this after Foundation because it was the perfect mix of raising the stakes while also sort of knowing how it's going to end. The last chapter I felt was a bit awkward and even a tad creepy, but overall I loved the characters and was mind blown by the plot twists. Truly, skull lifted brains exploded.