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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
How have I not read this before? Why hasn't Nolan made a movie of this yet?
The start is a real slog. The main character and the general sexual politics are really bad. Even with the ending, where there is criticism of the Eternity society, I wonder how much of that was actually intentional. There are some neat Science Fiction ideas at the end, but Asimov’s handling of women and the politics of the 50s make this rougher than it should be.
This is a really good book but recommend not trying to read before bed so the existential dread doesn’t have a chance to permeate your dreams
I can't recall any other book in which the concept and mechanics of time travel are so well developed.
In this world, time travel is possible thanks to machines operated by specially trained people who live outside of time - the Eternals. The main purpose of time travel is to constantly change reality in order to keep human suffering to a minimum. Thus, the Eternals prevent epidemics, wars, and other disasters. They carefully calculate changes in reality so that they do not disrupt the passage of time, and change only what will allow them to dispense with minimal casualties.
The Eternals themselves live outside of time. They are selected among mortals according to an interesting principle: only those whose disappearance will have no effect on existing reality can become Eternal. For this reason, there are no women among them - the disappearance of a woman from any time period is never without consequences.
The novel's protagonist is Andrew Harlan, the Eternal Technician, who dares to put the entire organization at risk to save one life. He can only save the person he holds most dear by changing the past.
"The End of Eternity" is not just a science fiction novel about time travel, but also a reflection on the theme of progress and personal human responsibility. The author compels the reader to ponder what is more important: eternal well-being or constant progress? Personal happiness or the success of the organization? Past or future?
In this world, time travel is possible thanks to machines operated by specially trained people who live outside of time - the Eternals. The main purpose of time travel is to constantly change reality in order to keep human suffering to a minimum. Thus, the Eternals prevent epidemics, wars, and other disasters. They carefully calculate changes in reality so that they do not disrupt the passage of time, and change only what will allow them to dispense with minimal casualties.
The Eternals themselves live outside of time. They are selected among mortals according to an interesting principle: only those whose disappearance will have no effect on existing reality can become Eternal. For this reason, there are no women among them - the disappearance of a woman from any time period is never without consequences.
The novel's protagonist is Andrew Harlan, the Eternal Technician, who dares to put the entire organization at risk to save one life. He can only save the person he holds most dear by changing the past.
"Not for fifty billion people. What in Time did he care for fifty billion people? There was just one. One person."
"The End of Eternity" is not just a science fiction novel about time travel, but also a reflection on the theme of progress and personal human responsibility. The author compels the reader to ponder what is more important: eternal well-being or constant progress? Personal happiness or the success of the organization? Past or future?
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A jaunty exploration of time travel. Not a masterpiece but still a good read. Asimov always was a visionary and he projected future technologies here quite well.
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The End of Eternity follows Andrew, a technician who makes small changes in the world to supposedly create a better future.
It started a little slow for where it was going, but overall, I really enjoyed it. Women weren't shown in a very good light, which I will chalk up to the times not only of Asimov but in the reality in which Andrew was living.
Like I said, it started slow, but the last 4 or 5 chapters packed quite a punch. Lots of twists and turns, and very exciting. Only one thing that happened early on in the novel suggested what was to come. I would have preferred it to be spread out a little more, but what can one do.
I especially like the shout-out to the Foundation series. The books really can go together in a way.
It started a little slow for where it was going, but overall, I really enjoyed it. Women weren't shown in a very good light, which I will chalk up to the times not only of Asimov but in the reality in which Andrew was living.
Like I said, it started slow, but the last 4 or 5 chapters packed quite a punch. Lots of twists and turns, and very exciting. Only one thing that happened early on in the novel suggested what was to come. I would have preferred it to be spread out a little more, but what can one do.
I especially like the shout-out to the Foundation series. The books really can go together in a way.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes