Reviews

A solid sci fi story, if a bit uncomplicated and stuffy by todays standards. It’s easy to see where many others have taken the Grand Sci Fi idea and run with it from these bones, and many times they do really feel like bones.

It’s told almost primarily in varying rooms and offices, behind closed doors, which gives it a nice and conniving quality but frequently is also one of stuffy cloistered exposition. There’s not a whole lot of action and so it’s telling that the best story (The Mayors) is the one that has the most (and even still it’s quite bare).

I picked up the sequel. I’ll read it some day. But I’m in no rush to devour it just yet.

suzu711's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

This book did not live up to the hype for me. I understand that at the time of release this was a whole different beast, but to me the story felt rushed with many gaping holes. Asimov does his usual thing of giving thought to the concepts and plotline, but does little to address world or character building. For example, here are the things I know about Terminus: it's at the edge of the galaxy, it hosts the foundation, the planet has little to no metals.

I enjoyed the political and diplomatic intrigue and enjoyed several characters: Hari Seldon (praise him), Salvor Hardin, and Haber Mallow.

Minus points for lack of female representation in a fictional society that is thousands of years old. A woman finally makes her first appearance around page 200 of the book. Not a speaking role, nor was she given a name. Then we finally have a female speaking role in Commdora Licia Argo, but her appearance totals maybe 2 pages, and her value is largely the dowry she came with during marriage.

I get this was inspired by The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, but I reckon once we go intergalactic, we won't revert back to the ways of a dead and failed civilisation.