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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
This is everything that the likes of Marvel are trying to accomplish nowadays. Time travel and done well. It can be done! Who would've thunk it?
The End of Eternity is a sumptuously well-crafted novel that tackles an issue we can all relate to in our lives: stagnation. Asimov built the plot like Ustad Ahmad Lahori built the Taj Mahal; with care, no compromise, and a lot of brainpower. Like the Taj Mahal, this novel is a thing of beauty.
We're introduced to a complex and enchanting setting (classic Asimov!), Eternity, whose characteristics are odd and stirring. That universe was enough to keep me interested. Each character brings something different to the table, though some a bit cheesy and old-fashioned, but that's part of the package since this was published in 1955. Concept-wise, I am utterly astounded at Asimiov's farsightedness. Some of the ideas in this book have just started making it to the mainstream cinematic world in the past decade. I can only imagine how outlandish these must have been to the average reader in 1955. In addition to all of this, the story is full of clever twists and turns, which not only serve the story very well, but also help character development immensely.
Overall, this is as good a sci-fi novel as it gets. It has great intrigue, clever ideas, top notch world building, and a lot of heart. Can't recommend highly enough.
Spoiler
alternate realitiesThe End of Eternity is a sumptuously well-crafted novel that tackles an issue we can all relate to in our lives: stagnation. Asimov built the plot like Ustad Ahmad Lahori built the Taj Mahal; with care, no compromise, and a lot of brainpower. Like the Taj Mahal, this novel is a thing of beauty.
We're introduced to a complex and enchanting setting (classic Asimov!), Eternity, whose characteristics are odd and stirring. That universe was enough to keep me interested. Each character brings something different to the table, though some a bit cheesy and old-fashioned, but that's part of the package since this was published in 1955. Concept-wise, I am utterly astounded at Asimiov's farsightedness. Some of the ideas in this book have just started making it to the mainstream cinematic world in the past decade. I can only imagine how outlandish these must have been to the average reader in 1955. In addition to all of this, the story is full of clever twists and turns, which not only serve the story very well, but also help character development immensely.
Overall, this is as good a sci-fi novel as it gets. It has great intrigue, clever ideas, top notch world building, and a lot of heart. Can't recommend highly enough.
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
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So well-written and interesting! I loved the ending, and while I did pick up on things mentioned I somehow forgot about them until they were brought up later. What a great read.
Ended pretty abruptly, otherwise would have given it 5 stars. Very enjoyable for those who like to contemplate time travel, temporal paradoxes, etc. Characters are well developed too...moreso than in Asimov's foundation series.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyable, fun! Hard to put down. Adventurous, mysterious, Imaginative! I often find books predictable— this is not predicable! With continual flowing and easy believable plot twists, the big plot has some very nuanced impacts to the characters, their joys and struggles.
2024 - The 52 Book Club Challenge
Week 10: told in non-chronological order
Why do I hear and see Truman Capote when reading Senior Computer Twissell‘s lines?
“Any system like Eternity, which allows men to choose their own future, will end by choosing safety and mediocrity, and in such a Reality the stars are out of reach. The mere existence of Eternity at once wiped out the Galactic Empire. To restore it, Eternity must be done away with.”
Love how this folds this book into the Galactic Empire and Foundation series. I read so much Asimov as a teen that underclassmen in school (my school encompassed grades seven through twelve) called me Ike. Yet I fully missed this book back then.
Week 10: told in non-chronological order
Why do I hear and see Truman Capote when reading Senior Computer Twissell‘s lines?
“Any system like Eternity, which allows men to choose their own future, will end by choosing safety and mediocrity, and in such a Reality the stars are out of reach. The mere existence of Eternity at once wiped out the Galactic Empire. To restore it, Eternity must be done away with.”
Love how this folds this book into the Galactic Empire and Foundation series. I read so much Asimov as a teen that underclassmen in school (my school encompassed grades seven through twelve) called me Ike. Yet I fully missed this book back then.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Words can't describe how much I loved this book.
It wasn't something that immediately gripped me nor something that I had to push myself to keep reading in the hopes that it would eventually grip me.
Its starts of slow, but I feel that was done deliberately to have it build slowly but steadily until it gets to a point where it just keeps exploding with moments off pure climactic awesomeness one after another connecting tiny nothing's of a hint dropped here and there throughout to point to a much larger plot that, I completely didn't catch onto (maybe cause I was soo ingrossed, but also because some books are just soo good that you want to let it lead you where it wants and don't want to mess up the journey by picking at it).
The story is just amazing and written so soo well. Complex and beautiful!
It wasn't something that immediately gripped me nor something that I had to push myself to keep reading in the hopes that it would eventually grip me.
Its starts of slow, but I feel that was done deliberately to have it build slowly but steadily until it gets to a point where it just keeps exploding with moments off pure climactic awesomeness one after another connecting tiny nothing's of a hint dropped here and there throughout to point to a much larger plot that, I completely didn't catch onto (maybe cause I was soo ingrossed, but also because some books are just soo good that you want to let it lead you where it wants and don't want to mess up the journey by picking at it).
The story is just amazing and written so soo well. Complex and beautiful!