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bass_clarinet's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
I had a couple issues with this trilogy. 1. Asimov doesn't develop characters. I only remember a couple characters' names. I didn't feel invested in the characters. Most of the them are also largely written the same. They're like cookies from a cookie cutter. Too many characters win, not enough lose. Much less, lose because they were outsmarted. 2. This trilogy should have been a single book. Some plot points were confusing and difficult to follow. It also made it tough because of the ever-changing cast of characters. I understand that the series is happening over the course of many lifetimes, I just wish we would have had more development then as a trade-off. 3. There wasn't a developed setting. Seems odd to me that there are millions of planets and only like 5 were talked about. The universe felt small despite billions of people living on thousands of worlds that were ruled over. Maybe that's what Asimov wanted to convey.
I also had some appreciations of the book too. 1. I love that Asimov is creative. He had me thinking of new ways to solve problems and think about puzzles. 2. I love that this book's driving conflict was essentially lost human knowledge. I think about that often, and I think he captured what would happen well. Especially the deniers. 3. I liked that he challenged determinism. The main character in the first few chapters is the last great psychologist able to accurately predict the future to a degree. In that, Asimov seemed to ultimately side with determinism in the end. Some people might say he is pessimistic or nihilistic, I think this is relatively realistic. 4. The book series and the way Asimov writes are timeless. Many of his books being written before the 70's yet still resounding in my 2020's mind is impressive.
I also had some appreciations of the book too. 1. I love that Asimov is creative. He had me thinking of new ways to solve problems and think about puzzles. 2. I love that this book's driving conflict was essentially lost human knowledge. I think about that often, and I think he captured what would happen well. Especially the deniers. 3. I liked that he challenged determinism. The main character in the first few chapters is the last great psychologist able to accurately predict the future to a degree. In that, Asimov seemed to ultimately side with determinism in the end. Some people might say he is pessimistic or nihilistic, I think this is relatively realistic. 4. The book series and the way Asimov writes are timeless. Many of his books being written before the 70's yet still resounding in my 2020's mind is impressive.
gwynn_sky's review against another edition
4.0
The whole trilogy is like a Chekhov's drama: every event, issue, act happen behind the scenes, and the players are talking about the issue on the surface. Maybe, the last chapters have their own acts. Absolutely, not an easy read book. Although, after more than 60 years, it still have valid truths in the present. It deserves the 4 stars from me.
gothian's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_nandor's review against another edition
5.0
Este libro contiene las tres novelas que forman la trilogía de la Fundación o también conocido como el ciclo de Trantor (esto ultimo tomando en cuenta que la zaga completa de la fundación abarca por lo menos 16 libros) Escritas por el padre de la ciencia ficción Isaac Asimov.
Fundación
Fundación e imperio
Segunda Fundación.
Encuentro complicado comentar estas obras como un todo, entre tantas cosas para no caer en spoiler una respecto de las otras.
En Fundación Asimov plantea las bases de lo que sera luego reconocida como "la mejor serie de ciencia ficción de todos los tiempos" Premio Higo de 1966. En esta Hari Seldon, el máximo exponente de una rama científica conocida como Psicohistoria, logra predecir basado en complejos cálculos matemáticos la caída del Imperio Galáctico y se propone desarrollar un plan para reconstruir el imperio, en una menor cantidad de tiempo, evitando siglos de barbarie y anarquía. El resultado de este plan es la Fundación, grupo conformado por los mejores científicos de todas las ramas que se establecieron en Términus un pequeño planeta sin recursos en el extremo de la galaxia.
Después de Seldon habrá un sin fin de personajes, la mayoría fundamentales para el plan, sus historias y sus acciones en un periodo de 300 años conforman esta gran obra altamente recomendable.
Fundación
Fundación e imperio
Segunda Fundación.
Encuentro complicado comentar estas obras como un todo, entre tantas cosas para no caer en spoiler una respecto de las otras.
En Fundación Asimov plantea las bases de lo que sera luego reconocida como "la mejor serie de ciencia ficción de todos los tiempos" Premio Higo de 1966. En esta Hari Seldon, el máximo exponente de una rama científica conocida como Psicohistoria, logra predecir basado en complejos cálculos matemáticos la caída del Imperio Galáctico y se propone desarrollar un plan para reconstruir el imperio, en una menor cantidad de tiempo, evitando siglos de barbarie y anarquía. El resultado de este plan es la Fundación, grupo conformado por los mejores científicos de todas las ramas que se establecieron en Términus un pequeño planeta sin recursos en el extremo de la galaxia.
Después de Seldon habrá un sin fin de personajes, la mayoría fundamentales para el plan, sus historias y sus acciones en un periodo de 300 años conforman esta gran obra altamente recomendable.
keegan_rellim_taylor's review against another edition
4.0
My dad loved Asimov's writings so much that when my parents got parrots, my mom named one Isaac and one Asimov. That was more than ten years ago, so I've been exposed to the name all these years. Finally, this summer my husband listened to it on commute and I read it after he liked it too. So much fun! I'm still trying to decide if I want to continue with the series or call it complete with the trilogy.
SPOILER:
Here are my favorite things: 1.) The conclusion of *Foundation and Empire* took me totally by surprise! It was such an awesome twist because it made sense but I didn't figure it out. I was relieved too that Bayta was protected because it would have ruined it for me if the Mule had taken her as a mistress. 2.) I never did figure out the location of Second Foundation until it was spelled out for me. Also, the identity of First Speaker in *Second Foundation* took me by surprise. It wasn't on par with the surprise ending of Foundation and Empire because it didn't seem to match up as perfectly, but still kind of fun. 3.) I loved both of the female protagonists. They were just well-done characters, spunky, fun, and memorable.
Here are my problems with the book: 1.) It covers so much time and there are so many characters and I just struggled to keep track of them. Some of the male protagonists were interesting too, but the women were especially memorable partially because there were only two of them. 2.) I struggle with the problem of will. I sort of dislike the idea that everybody's being manipulated puppet-style. It definitely takes something away from Bayta when the Second Foundation claims to have made her do what she did. That's part of the reason I'm not sure I want to keep reading the series. Fortunately, their assertion that they are controlling everybody doesn't come up until the end, so I could still enjoy the story all the way until that came up and then I was a little let-down.
In any case, definitely a well-told story and a fun read, and the kind that makes you think and imagine.
SPOILER:
Here are my favorite things: 1.) The conclusion of *Foundation and Empire* took me totally by surprise! It was such an awesome twist because it made sense but I didn't figure it out. I was relieved too that Bayta was protected because it would have ruined it for me if the Mule had taken her as a mistress. 2.) I never did figure out the location of Second Foundation until it was spelled out for me. Also, the identity of First Speaker in *Second Foundation* took me by surprise. It wasn't on par with the surprise ending of Foundation and Empire because it didn't seem to match up as perfectly, but still kind of fun. 3.) I loved both of the female protagonists. They were just well-done characters, spunky, fun, and memorable.
Here are my problems with the book: 1.) It covers so much time and there are so many characters and I just struggled to keep track of them. Some of the male protagonists were interesting too, but the women were especially memorable partially because there were only two of them. 2.) I struggle with the problem of will. I sort of dislike the idea that everybody's being manipulated puppet-style. It definitely takes something away from Bayta when the Second Foundation claims to have made her do what she did. That's part of the reason I'm not sure I want to keep reading the series. Fortunately, their assertion that they are controlling everybody doesn't come up until the end, so I could still enjoy the story all the way until that came up and then I was a little let-down.
In any case, definitely a well-told story and a fun read, and the kind that makes you think and imagine.
zoe_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
3.0
Ich glaube, ich würde keinem Band mehr als 3.5 Sterne geben, aber auch keinem weniger als 3. Sprich, es ist kein Buch, das ich Leuten hinterher schmeissen würde, aber ich hatte trotzdem einiges an Spass und kann mir vorstellen, dass es andere noch ein ganzes Stück mehr geniessen könnten.
Was mir am meisten gefallen hat, aber, ist wohl was am wenigsten bezweckt war: ich fand so viele Details der Geschichte einfach witzig. Angefangen damit, dass Seldon enthüllt, dass der „Zweck“ der Foundation nur ein unnützer Vorwandt war (und alle das einfach so akzeptieren und 50 Jahre an Arbeit ohne weiteres aufgeben), da aber niemand drauf gekommen ist obwohl es keine Psychohistoriker mehr gab, bis hin zu dem geradezu unsinnigen Foundationkrieg im letzten Band - es gibt einfach so viele amüsante Details und Geschichtsstränge und Charaktere, da muss man einfach bei Laune bleiben.
Im Gegenzug war das Buch allerdings auch sehr vorhersehbar, besonders dafür, dass ich an mehreren Stellen dachte, dass sich die Geschichte als sehr clever darstellt. Ich glaube, das lässt sich grösstenteils darauf zurückführen, dass es einfach schon ein älteres Buch ist, nicht davon zu sprechen ein Klassiker des SciFi. Ich halte das dem Buch also nicht vor, ich war nur deswegen nicht an die Seiten gefesselt oder ähnliches.
Gedanken, die ich zwischen den einzelnen Büchern hatte:
Buch 1: Beleidige ich irgendjemanden, wenn ich das 1. Buch von „Foundation“ als lustig bezeichne?
Buch 2: Das zweite Buch ist interessant, aber such weniger „witzig“, abgesehen von dem Ende, das ja mehr oder weniger daraus besteht, dass der Bösewicht bösewichtböse lacht und mit einem „ihr werden mich niemals aufhalten können!“ gen Sonnenuntergang fliegt (mit einem Raumschiff ins All flieht). Keine Ahnung, was das mit den Mutanten hier zu suchen hat?
Buch 3: Es gab einen Moment, in dem ich mir dachte, das dritte Buch sei bisher das mit Abstand sexistischste (und das 2. war schon nicht super in dem Aspekt), aber dann wurde es auf sehr angenehme Art gedreht (und zwar genau mit den Charakteren, von denen ich mir dachte, dass andere Autoren sie „anders“ schreiben würden). Allerdings war das ganze Buch etwas vorhersehbar und nicht so witzig, wie die letzten beiden.
Was mir am meisten gefallen hat, aber, ist wohl was am wenigsten bezweckt war: ich fand so viele Details der Geschichte einfach witzig. Angefangen damit, dass Seldon enthüllt, dass der „Zweck“ der Foundation nur ein unnützer Vorwandt war (und alle das einfach so akzeptieren und 50 Jahre an Arbeit ohne weiteres aufgeben), da aber niemand drauf gekommen ist obwohl es keine Psychohistoriker mehr gab, bis hin zu dem geradezu unsinnigen Foundationkrieg im letzten Band - es gibt einfach so viele amüsante Details und Geschichtsstränge und Charaktere, da muss man einfach bei Laune bleiben.
Im Gegenzug war das Buch allerdings auch sehr vorhersehbar, besonders dafür, dass ich an mehreren Stellen dachte, dass sich die Geschichte als sehr clever darstellt. Ich glaube, das lässt sich grösstenteils darauf zurückführen, dass es einfach schon ein älteres Buch ist, nicht davon zu sprechen ein Klassiker des SciFi. Ich halte das dem Buch also nicht vor, ich war nur deswegen nicht an die Seiten gefesselt oder ähnliches.
Gedanken, die ich zwischen den einzelnen Büchern hatte:
Buch 1: Beleidige ich irgendjemanden, wenn ich das 1. Buch von „Foundation“ als lustig bezeichne?
Buch 2: Das zweite Buch ist interessant, aber such weniger „witzig“, abgesehen von dem Ende, das ja mehr oder weniger daraus besteht, dass der Bösewicht bösewichtböse lacht und mit einem „ihr werden mich niemals aufhalten können!“ gen Sonnenuntergang fliegt (mit einem Raumschiff ins All flieht). Keine Ahnung, was das mit den Mutanten hier zu suchen hat?
Buch 3: Es gab einen Moment, in dem ich mir dachte, das dritte Buch sei bisher das mit Abstand sexistischste (und das 2. war schon nicht super in dem Aspekt), aber dann wurde es auf sehr angenehme Art gedreht (und zwar genau mit den Charakteren, von denen ich mir dachte, dass andere Autoren sie „anders“ schreiben würden). Allerdings war das ganze Buch etwas vorhersehbar und nicht so witzig, wie die letzten beiden.
milen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
creepyanto's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It's a fascinating trilogy, always keeping me in my toes, expecting the next big move from The Foundation. Having finished it, I can't wait for the next time I'll read it again, after forgetting the story a little bit. It's been a one-in-a-lifetime experience, full of excitement, reflection and anticipation.
j_greer's review against another edition
4.0
Better meditation on Predestination and Free-Will than the Apostle Paul and John Calvin's Heavenly Suppers. Or so, I'd imagine.
The influences upon modern sci-fi, and fantasy for that matter, are numerous. And it's indebted to an even longer list of its predecessors.
Word is Apple TV is adapting this work. Tough for them.
The influences upon modern sci-fi, and fantasy for that matter, are numerous. And it's indebted to an even longer list of its predecessors.
Word is Apple TV is adapting this work. Tough for them.