Originally published: 1952
Author: Isaac Asimov
Book 2 of 7: Foundation
Genres: Classic American Fiction, Classic Science Fiction, Dystopian Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Classic Short Stories, Science Fiction Short Stories
At the moment I am writing and rewriting the start of this review but can’t, it is not because my brain is frozen, it is actually the classic case of not writing about something that gives away the story of the previous books when writing about a series. I have so much to say but problem is, it all involves how to connect this book with the previous book.
Let’s see what I can write without spoilers for the previous book. The most beautiful thing about the first book was the word “Foundation” because it represented something great and it was used as a name for something that I think is better for you to find out by reading the first book.
In the first book, a guy was able to calculate and formulate a system that can fix the issues of the generations to come but he had no idea a man can come and change or get in the path of all his calculations. Who is the hero and who is the villain or both are the hero or the villain, it is up to you to decide. I think this is better, I told you nothing and everything at the same time.
After reading the second book, I felt the author had a change of plan for this story because the first book didn’t have much tension or drama so he introduced this other main character or he already was planning from the start because in my mind he was a great thinker and a writer. Anyway, the pace suddenly changes in the second half of the second book.
Reading these books feels like you are watching a great science fiction drama in theater but I think the upcoming TV show is not going to be just a drama and talks in closed rooms because the trailer shows a lot of action. But don’t worry the books are not boring if you can understand what is going on. I can give an example…just think of Disney’s movies and think of the adventures or missions the main party goes to; these missions are like kids going to a park compared to what these book’s missions are.
The first book is a compilation of five disconnected stories with the main goal but this book has only two stories but gets a lot more concentrated on the main goal. I am sure the people who read the first book and liked it are going to like this one even more.
This book is kind of two books in one but again the main background story is the same. The first one may bore you a bit, just because it is more related to the first book, but the second book is really exciting and different. If you read the robots series from the same author then you may relate to it but they have nothing to do with each other except the style.
You are going to find twists in this book also and may find the final twist with mixed reactions; it actually depends on how you felt about the books from the start. You find all of the important elements that make up a page-turner here and some of those elements are plot, character-building, world-building, narrative, dialogue, suspense, action, and much more. The first story is slow but it has all these elements as well but in the second part the reader gets to read all of this at a fast pace.
Whatever you say about these books but you must admit that Mr. Isaac Asimov was way ahead of his times and had a great mind. I read almost all his books and loved all of the movies that played in my head while reading those books. I was not able to read his autobiography until now, but surely going to read it as soon as I get my hands on it.
Synopsis:
“The second novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series
THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE UPCOMING APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION, COMING 9/24/21
Led by its founding father, the psychohistorian Hari Seldon, and utilizing science and technology, the Foundation survived the greed and barbarism of its neighboring warrior-planets. Now cleverness and courage may not be enough. For the Empire—the mightiest force in the Galaxy—is even more dangerous in its death throes. Even worse, a mysterious entity called the Mule has appeared with powers beyond anything humanly conceivable. Who—or what—is the Mule? And how is humanity to defend itself against this invulnerable avatar of annihilation?
Filled with nail-biting suspense, nonstop action, and cutting-edge speculation, Foundation and Empire is the story of humanity’s perpetual struggle against the darkness that forever threatens to overwhelm the light—and of how the courage of even a determined few can make all the difference in the universe.”
This book and series are not for everyone and that is why I can't give full points to this one. But still, it is hundred percent recommended.
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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