eb00kie's review against another edition
5.0
This story was written in answer to a quote attributed to poet [a:Ralph Waldo Emerson|12080|Ralph Waldo Emerson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1393555704p2/12080.jpg]:
Asimov disagrees.
Short and sweet, don't read after dark, strongly recommend.
If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore, and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God!
Asimov disagrees.
Short and sweet, don't read after dark, strongly recommend.
elenab_elless's review against another edition
3.0
"But if it turns out that four hours pass - and another four - and nothing happens?" asked Theremin softly.
"Don't let that worry you. Enough will happen.'
It would be hard to stand, I admit, because I'd have to make you all out to be a bunch of gibbering idiots, but if I can get people laughing at you, they might forget to be angry.
There just isn't any place in the universe you could put a million sun's - unless they touch one another.
Supposing you have an universe in which there was a planet with only one sun [...] "Of course," continued Beenay, "there's the catch that life would be impossible on such a planet. It wouldn't get enough heat and light, and if it rotated there would be total Darkness half of each day. You couldn't expect life - which is fundamentally dependent upon light - to develop under those conditions."
The long night had come again.
ratsky's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
scarecrow007's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This is probably the best Sci-Fi short story that I have ever read…
farzaan's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The cities power went out yesterday and the night sky was so beautiful I reread this story, and it's as good as I remembered! I enjoy how there is a lot of insight into the society of Lagash and how if we had 6 suns and no night how different everything would be . The story also provides a subtle critique of scientists that as I interact with more in my profession, I can't help but find similarities in character.
mariam_ahmed's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
booksandbark's review against another edition
4.0
I've never like Asimov's writing much. Although the computer science enthusiasts in my life have strongly advocated the [b:Foundation|29579|Foundation (Foundation, #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1417900846l/29579._SX50_.jpg|1783981] novels, much of Asimov's work relies too much on plot and cool concepts and doesn't dive deeply enough into characters and psychology. I read Nightfall for my short story book club, and was pleasantly surprised. As other reviewers have said, Nightfall manages to keep Asimov's signature creativity while still incorporating characterization and psychology. This short story touches on so many concepts that are so fascinating, both politically and scientifically: the mob mentality, the fact that we on Earth have a particular set of circumstances that have permitted our advancement.
While this still left me with some questions--can people truly go mad if the sun disappears for just half a day? don't people experience darkness while, say, sleeping? are these people humans whose ancestors came from Earth, or are they a completely different universe?--it was overall a quick, interesting read. Would recommend for all science fiction fans.
While this still left me with some questions--can people truly go mad if the sun disappears for just half a day? don't people experience darkness while, say, sleeping? are these people humans whose ancestors came from Earth, or are they a completely different universe?--it was overall a quick, interesting read. Would recommend for all science fiction fans.
fantasticfiction's review against another edition
3.0
"Mankind has always feared what it doesn't understand." - Magneto, X-Men (2000). This statement stands true in the story. Though I really enjoyed the story and its parallels with the real world, I also observed the serious lack of diverse opinions. But of course, this book cleverly points out the vulnerability of human existence and how in the end we are all "just a bunch of gibbering idiots."
The book points out at the faults and patriarchal tones of the ones considered rational and logical— the scientists, who have little to no regards for the humankind and see women as mere "breeding agency" and even undermine the cultists' stories narrated by the female nurse. Even as a loud atheist, Issac Asimov has given the cultists a voice we weren't expecting. Although blinded by faith and extremism, they aren't very different from the scientists and even in some sense, the scientists are even more dangerous. Even the psychologist who understands the dangers of fear and claustrophobia is unable to control himself when exposed to the same. The scientific method is shown to be data-oriented and limited but never 'solution-orientated'. Both the scientist and cultists don't care about finding the solution. They shamelessly disregard human life as invaluable either in the name of rationality or faith. And we all can relate to this even more in today's scenario where researchers are influenced by the companies to favour their potentially dangerous products.
As one of the greatest pioneers of the science-fiction we are blessed with today, 'Nightfall' is without a doubt a book written for the ones who have found their solace in the mysteries of the universe and are in want of looking beyond.
FUN FACT: The idea for "Nightfall" was actually suggested to Asimov by his editor who quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson's Nature : "If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore, and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God?" So, the opening lines of the story were actually the true inspiration for the story.
The book points out at the faults and patriarchal tones of the ones considered rational and logical— the scientists, who have little to no regards for the humankind and see women as mere "breeding agency" and even undermine the cultists' stories narrated by the female nurse. Even as a loud atheist, Issac Asimov has given the cultists a voice we weren't expecting. Although blinded by faith and extremism, they aren't very different from the scientists and even in some sense, the scientists are even more dangerous. Even the psychologist who understands the dangers of fear and claustrophobia is unable to control himself when exposed to the same. The scientific method is shown to be data-oriented and limited but never 'solution-orientated'. Both the scientist and cultists don't care about finding the solution. They shamelessly disregard human life as invaluable either in the name of rationality or faith. And we all can relate to this even more in today's scenario where researchers are influenced by the companies to favour their potentially dangerous products.
As one of the greatest pioneers of the science-fiction we are blessed with today, 'Nightfall' is without a doubt a book written for the ones who have found their solace in the mysteries of the universe and are in want of looking beyond.
FUN FACT: The idea for "Nightfall" was actually suggested to Asimov by his editor who quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson's Nature : "If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore, and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God?" So, the opening lines of the story were actually the true inspiration for the story.