Lorayger
Contains spoilers
An important point before reading: This is an independent novel. But if you are interested in reading Robots series and Foundation series, definitely start with this one because its ending is the prologue (Check out the list on my profile for more info.)
Asimov wrote his stories mostly in dialogues. The process of his stories often feel like sitting on the edge of your seat in case of brilliant ideas and getting disturbed while reading about characteristics of men, descriptions of women and the whole relationships among characters. But also, when you tolerate and bite through to the end, the big relveals come flooding your way and sweep you off your feet. Maybe he thought that this kind of writing would make the modern reader give him a discount and ignore the fact that he had very weak characters, especially female ones.
In this novel, the story is not like a third person point of view, instead, we see everything through the eyes of Harlan, the main protagonist, who is separated from his time when he was 15, when was supposed to have puberty and learn about relationships and maybe even have sex. In Eternity, he only meets men because women are not allowed to work there. He is a virgin and as a Technician, he must conceal his emotions. Therefore, we get a typical male protagonist: sexist, arrogant, reactive, not handsome or charming at all. Just like how most of the audiences/readers were at the time. Those times were not the times where change for men was demanded. So, Asimov just did not try to complain about Harlan's behaviors and characteristics in the narrative or interrogate it. I think his way was very subtle and not for the average male reader who would worship him. Harlan gets told he has misunderstood many things, and he refuses to accept. Well, we don't expect him to change in the moment because he is a tool in this great plot, but I expected him to show some humane change at the end. What makes it worse is that a competent and beautiful woman like Noys, one of the very active roles of women in Asimov's stories, STILL falls in love with this Harlan. I know I am looking at this from a person's pov living in 2026 and has complains on this matter and women's roles. I am aware that most of male authors of that time wrote in this way and thus attracted the majority of people having similar point of views. I know many read his novels because of the science fiction parts but I don't believe that his sucking-at-writing-proper-human-relationships has not affected those readers' pov and/or worse, resonated with them. The ending is giving those virgin incels the hope and the fantasy, that no matter how not-handsome, unlikeable, unchangeable, aggressive and shitty they are, there will be a woman who is so perfect and is ready to leave everything from her time and home and be with them.
That aside, I love every bit about the sci-fi plot: Eternity, Reality, Reality possibilies, future possibilities and its knot to the greater Robot/Foundation series.
Contains spoilers
Minus 0.5 star because of how impossible it feels that only humans were the one specie that spread through out space till the end of time.
This wasn't the time to read it through The Greater Robot and Foundation series. And unfortunately, I couldn't know that without it getting spoiled for me. So, here I am. I probably had to read it as the last story in the whole series. We'll see after reading Nemesis, which I should probably had read after The Complete Robot.
Other than that, it was a very intriguing read! Loved it!
Contains spoilers
(The cover design still irrelevant! Why?! WHY?)
GREAT GALAXY!
I DID IT! I FINALLY READ THE MAIN TRILOGY! SIZZLING SATURN! (2 more books still left of the greater series of the Robot-Foundation!)
I'm not very good at guessing mysteries because of my trust issues and that I expect anything from anyone. I learned it the hard way, and through this great series (with this book being the 15th one), to unlearn guessing mysteries of a story that its focus isn't necessarily a detective story but a sociological story. I let the mysteries get unraveled before me. Of course some of the mysteries of the main trilogy were known to me by reading the 2 prequels (chronological order) but that didn't take the fun of it, partly due to the 15 years yearning to find these books and partly because of the passion I've always had for space and sci-fi.
I haven't read many mystery books but have watched a great deal of movies and series focused on mystery and crime. With all that, the mysteries of the great series of Robot-Foundation are still unique to me.
I gotta take 0.5 star because of the primitive technology on Terminus. I expected Terminus to be way more than this in year 377!
And wait, what happened to the Time Vault? Was it destroyed by The Mule???
Man! I wish there were more stories like this! Just because the Second Foundation took over and there will be times of peace and the new empire, it doesn't mean there aren't any stories to tell! I know I know, I'm being desperate and needy haha. He stopped at the right stop.
I do hope the 2 sequels are as good as the prequels! Let's gooooooo! Foundation's Edge!
Contains spoilers
Why was the cover design so irrelevant?!
The influence of WWII nuclear weapons are all over the Foundation trilogy.
These people just don't stop smoking even if the world is going to fall around them!!
Finally, a female character who actually makes a difference in the course of the story and isn't sexualized on every page but merely 5 times at max!!
Man, I guessed right who the antagonist is at the very first moment but Asimov misled me successfully. Shame :)))))
It's interesting how Asimov introduces something new that one might think it's fixed and always true, and then he himself introduces an exception. He's done this in the short stories with Susan Calvin.
Very much liked the idea of influencing emotions and so the reasoning and actions of people are influenced by the new layer of emotions. So cool!
This rollercoaster was fun. Jumping to the next, the promised one! Second Foundation!
Contains spoilers
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINALLY FINISHED THIS BOOK!
There's been a lot going on in my life recently and I was afraid that this book is really cursed. BUT NO! FINALLY! AFTER 15 YEARS I FOUND THIS BOOK IN ORIGINAL PAPER FORM AND READ THE ORIGINAL TEXT! My teenage self is soooooooooo happy he's been jumping up and down all evening! He didn't think he could read it in English but here we are! HAHA!
It starts with religion and ends with trade only. It shows how people have to create new methods in order to keep Foundation technology from harm and spread it as wide as possible.
The path this version of the future has been taking is soooo exciting, like a fun rollercoaster. I was at the edge of my seat / bed all the nights even though I was about to pass out.
The idea of religion was absolutely brilliant. I could have never guessed what Hari Seldon and his team were building in the two prequels would become this. Each character plays their part in the great current of the future even though Seldon did not plan in details. And everyone who learns their lessons well about Seldon's crisis and their current society, understands what actions they must take as well, and their name goes up next to the great Seldon. I just can't express how much I love all of these plots. The storytelling was a bit boring, I have to admit. And I just can't get along with Asimov putting names to every single character in the background. His style is so much like those detective stories; the big reveal at the end of the chapter, through dialogue. And then I went shoutin "YES BABY! BRING IT ON!"
"Nuclear reactors in the size of a thumb" AWESOME thinking! Ofc we can see a great influence of wwii here. I wonder where Dani was in these times... I have high hopes I get to see him again. Plzzzzzz T_T
When it comes to sci-fi technology only, I believe Asimov has set the bar so high that I don't think I would like any future-space-sci-fi book written after 2010s. But in the case of gender and medicine, no, barley a woman in the whole book; something I didn't expect from the perfect Foundation of Terminus. How come they haven't overcome some "fractured skull" yet?! I know it's the barbarian times but I don't expect THIS.
Contains spoilers
This was an emotional read... huh... T~T (As I'm writing this, I am listening to "Oxygene, Pt. 18" by Jean-Michel Jaare.)
I read a bit of Foundation novel before finishing this. So, it was a good thing. Now I know the chronological order better: Read all chapters of Forward the Foundation, then read the first chapter of Foundation, then come back to read Epilogue of Forward the Foundation. If you're interested in reading this epic in chronological order, this is my list: https://hardcover.app/@AtlaSSS/lists/robot-foundation-world-chronological-order
I understand why many dislike this book (and its prequel Prelude to Foundation) because they read these two after reading the Foundation trilogy. Not just that. The book was messy. I know. The main reason is Asimov's health status; he was still working on it when he passed away. So, I rather not be too strict.
I didn't like how Dors was entraped. As if she was only loosely made with The Laws of Robotics. It wasn't explained, when and by whom she was built, and how Dani found her and put her on Trantor, or if Dani was involved with her being built, which is more likely. It was definitely worth exploring, maybe even more than those parts when the story goes off-road from sci-fi to fantasy and into telepathy. I didn't like telepathy. I genuinely expected to see a futuristic-made-up-scientifically reason for Wanda's brain working that way when her dna was examined. I would have accepted it way easier than... than... this... . Now with several mentions of Second Foundation, I know what that book is gonna be about now and honestly, I'm not looking forward to it if it's gonna be like this. It is a spoiler but even without it, I still don't enjoy space fantasy.
It's a shame he didn't explain when and where Yugo introduced the ideas of Foundation to Hari.
The rest was quite interesting and I enjoyed reading it a lot.
About why it struck me on a deeply emotional level:
First, in the first chapter of Foundation, that is about Hari, there is no sign of the two prequel characters who were close to him. I could guess that Dors dies here. It was inevitable in my opinion but I couldn't believe it when Asimov even killed Raych and Manella and the little Bellis. What the hell man? Couldn't they just go live in peace? Hari already had a tragedy losing Dors. Or do you think that is emotionally not enough because she was a robot?! Uh... Tragedy after tragedy, and totally out of nowhere the song "In my remains" by Linkin Park was replaying in my head... T_T
Second, knowing this book was published a year after Asimov passed away, I couldn't help but think of Asimov himself when I was reading the epilogue; Hari's reflection on his life, his regrets, his desire to show Daneel what he has achieved, his last moments, his funeral, and Dani being there... As if Hari's death wasn’t just an ending for the character, but also for Asimov’s own life and the epic sci-fi series of the century. I can't help but to think that Asimov may have seen Daneel in his final moments. It makes my heart ache so much. I kept remembering "What Goes Up" by "The Alan Parsons Project". I held my tears back and then burst after finishing the book.
P.S.: Alan Parsons made a full album being inspired by Asimov's works called "I Robot" and even contacted Asimov about it. Unfortunately, he had to remove the comma symbol from the album title because Asimov had sold his rights to his books and Parsons wasn't allowed to just use the title I, Robot.
Contains spoilers
After reading several novels from Asimov right after another, I now have no doubt that writing characters with depth was never something he mastered, or wanted to master. When there are good enough female characters, they are either not pretty enough, or a robot...
Some parts of this plot felt quite disturbing like that hand-on-thigh that made no sense and was only a sexual fan-service to himself, I believe. It's like he has little improved from The Stars Like Dust (1951) to this (1988)...
I was felt similar to Hari while following the hints and cues and failing to guess what is what over and over. But well, he is the main character and if he is not clever enough to guess the plot twist at the end, who will?
But I can't be like those who keep guessing from the first page. I want to go along with the story, I want to enjoy the journey rather than occupying my mind with questions all the time. I merely comment on something and move on.
I understand many dislike this book because they have already read the main trilogy of the Foundation. But I am reading the whole series chronologically, so, I did enjoy this book and its big reveal. I was kinda spoiled that Asimov tied the whole series through a character and making a greater series with about 18 books and stories but the "how" was not spoiled. And I very much enjoyed the "how" in this and the book Robots and Empire.
This is the second time I read this book, after about five years, and for the first time in English.
I had forgotten all about the plot twist.
It kinda bothers me that Asimov didn't consider any "digital paperwork" or "security camera"s, like brooooo, haven't you read 1984?! It's okay to use that idea when you're writing about the Earth 12000 years in the future!!!
But since it's his first novel and it's very much ahead of its time, and written before the whole Foundation series and 30 years before him actually binding his books into a series, I turn a blind eye on this one.
And also because civilizations rise and fall like the Burnt City of Persia and Mesopotamia. That's how many things have to be rediscovered and reinvented every time, unfortunately.
Asimov's sexual fantasies of young beautiful women is not that strong here thank god.
The plot is everything. The characters are not cool though.
AND OMG I FINALLY FINISHED THIS BOOK NOW I CAN GO TO FOUNDATION SERIES I CAN'T WAIT
Contains spoilers
I'm so glad I can finally rate 0.5 star now!
Reading this book took me 3 months, which shows just how boring it was! I fell asleep after 4-5 pages (no exaggeration). Now that I've finished it, I'm not sure how much the teen-me would have hated this book but I? I hated it, but I? I hated it a lot. I can't believe I'm saying this, especially since Asimov was my #1 fave writer when I was a teen. Since 2024, I’ve been catching up on the greater Foundation series I’ve wanted to read since I was younger. I loved the Robot series, but now I’m worried I’ll hate Foundation!
The technology sometimes felt too advanced, with Asimov not bothering to explain it, and other times it was too primitive, which drove me crazy.
The plot was stupid.
The main character was a 23-year-old arrogant boy who wouldn’t shut up. Considering his semi-aristocratic background, I could’ve let him slide, but the narrative fell flat when it came to him. It focused only on his arrogance, not what was going on in his mind. There was no way to guess that he was such a smartass. It just didn't stick.
Artemisia barely did anything in the whole story. Whenever she was mentioned, it was only to focus on her body, which happened way too often. Even though the book was from the 50s, I couldn't stop thinking about how many times her smooth skin or breasts were described. It was annoying. I guess I should thank Asimov for doing the bare minimum when it comes to women!! I know, I know, I’m looking at this from a 2025 pov, but still...
Gilbert... what an idiot. He had invented something "amusing" for my time, but it certainly wasn't amusing when I thought about the future! And, to top of it, it wasn’t even used in the rest of the story! So, what was the point of introducing it in the first place?!! Rhodia felt like a world before the 17th century. At least tell me why technology is banned on this world besides Spaceships!! Did Frank Herbert get the idea for Dune from this book?!
Even on spaceships they still use paper??????!!!!!!
The twist about the rebellion people at the end got me though ngl.
About the last paragraph at the end of the book: I googled it, and it seems it was the editor's idea of Galaxy Magazine, where the book was first serialized. It was a ridiculous idea! Awfully retarded! Like, come on, is dictatorship the only form of government known to humans in the future?!
And how are so many planets ruled under dictatorship in a way that’s so stereotypical, even for our time?! Are you kidding me Asimov? You did better back in the 40s!
*P.S.: In Caves of Steel, Asimov provides a convincing explanation for the word "paper". One paper that includes lots of information digitally. I liked that one. BUT that happened 200 years BEFORE this!
THIS IS THE BOOK I NEEDED SINCE EVER!
James Clear is the one person that shows you the hows. The person who doesn't vent and in the end would say "All answers are inside you. You need to look inside." or "You you really want to, you should be able to!" and all the extra shitty arguments and excuses some specialists make up when you describe your problems and ask them for advice. I have many unfortunate conversations and hard times with such people, and most parts of me have been feeling that I am a reluctant unmotivated lazy person.
Since I've started reading this book and learnt the techniques James Clear actually teaches here, I have managed to start a few tiny changes and track them, and for that, I am very grateful to James, and my sibling, for introducing this amazing content to me.
Contains spoilers
Hello! This is my very first review on Hardcover. I felt this book deserves a much better place than Goodreads shelves, and for the sake of myself and Eleanor's!
Warning: This book might trigger trauma!
I like the title very much. It clearly implies that Eleanor is not fine. Not fine at all. Before checking it out, part of me knew I would like this book! I have no idea how but I was keeping an eye on it for a very long time from afar, and awhile back put it on my bucket list before turning 30.
The story resonated with me and my life more than I had expected. I wonder how a complete stranger can put down words in the exact order that are in my mind... I'm just very grateful that Gail Honeyman considered the topic of young people deal with loneliness, and even further than that; dealing with childhood trauma. So, this book is very dear and personal to me.
Meh. Ich erwartete mehr. Nur eine erste Antwort bringt ja nichts. Das Kind kann das schon. Ich erwartete Beispiele mit richtigen Dialogen, wo man sieht, wie die Bullys danach reagieren und einfach unsere Dinge nicht zurückgeben oder uns weiter schlagen. Oder wie die Eltern sich reagieren sollen und wie sie mit dem Kind umgehen sollen. Was tun dann? Das ist wichtiger!
WoW I honestly didn't think I'd like this book this much!
I was actually looking for a novel for audience in their 30s, possibly a main character without good social skills, and this wasn't that. The title sounded corny. But when I read a sample, it got me. It wasn't what I thought it was.
The author addresses her own marriage in the book several times, so, don't judge before reading!
I do not exactly fit in the audience of the book; single white women in their 30s. But the main point is being single, so, like every other person in this audience, I often thought it's my fault, that I am alone. Sometimes I would feel better, telling myself to focus on my self-discovery journey and enjoy my current status. But most of the time, and very recently, I've been feeling down. Everything had become unbearable. My inner drive just couldn't anymore.
This book wasn't what I was looking for directly, but I realized I have been searching for it indirectly. It was what I needed. I needed to hear all this from someone else; an extern motivation, someone who has gone through this and has come out from the other side (I don't mean marriage and other side! I simply mean being alive!) Someone who has survived all that, and would tell me there are actually many people like us, and about the many studies and research, and her own experiences.
And would tell me that I am not the bad guy. Some of the lessons weren't new to me, and I believe that's what makes it even better, that something that I have developed on my own isn't just something I have imagined! And I'm not crazy for feeling this or thinking that! And I have made the best choices in different situations I have been in.
I also liked her writing and her humor very much!
Thank you, Sara!
Every year since I was 4, my uncle would take me to an international book fair. But life shifted, I went there with other people, then by myself and eventually, I moved away.
This year, when the fair came around again, I knew even if I were there, it couldn't possibly feel the same — but I still wanted to feel connected. I came across this book that is about the magic of reading books as a child.
It felt like a quiet tribute to my past, a kid without friends and without being able to actually visit exciting places and go on adventures. Even as a teen there was nothing to do other than reading books. Books have been all I've known.
Now I'm glad to have the possibility to experience life and to have my own adventures but this book is a gift to the big part of me that saved me from madness and horror of the environment I've been raised in.
Actual rating: 4.90
I find this book the most important link among this series (yes even though I haven't read Empire yet. I am heading there), and very very dear to me in the case of Daneel and Giskard. Their conversations and evolution were the best parts of the book. Giskard has become one of my most favorite characters of all time. Goodbye, friend Giskard TTTTTTTTTT~TTTTTTTTTT
Honestly, I can't care less about Gladia's storyline and how Asimov ships her with every male character in each book WTF. Her peace mission seems dull and the officials of Earth are a bunch of potatoes whose minds Giskard could affect without trouble. Sometimes I do need to pause and think that officials are not really intelligent and cool and they have made and still make horrible mistakes we don't expect.
Now, I am glad that I have a first edition [heart on fire]
Look, I don't have any problem with overtly sexual scenes in books as long as they serve a purpose. The last couple of Gladia and Baley's encounters simply did NOT, and the descriptions of them were like a horny incel's fan fic; bizarre and disturbing.
I loved the last twist though, and everything before Gladia and Baley's odd encounters.
EINE BESONDERE WORTSPIELEREI, davon ich neue Wörter lernte und die Geschichte richtig witzig fand! Zusätzlich scheint mir die nicht unbedingt ohne Moral. Ich sehe es natürlich aus meiner Perspektive, dass wenn jemand anders ist, sollte sein eigenes Abenteuer erleben dürfen und auf andere Art und Weise neue Dinge lernen.
WWII pilots / authors writing wonderful stories about lonely children that crush my heart:
1) Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
2) Roald Dahl
How does this combination work?! I've been trying to make sense of this but I can't. Any idea?
If you know more pilot authors please let me know!
The 5-year-old-me is happy and sad at the same time.
Years after watching Charlie and the chocolate factory movie (Johnny Depp) I heard the name “Roald Dahl” but since the movie was weird to me, I didn't follow the name of the writer.
In 2023, after some resistance and after long time insisting from the dearest person in my life, I finally watched “The Swan” short movie by Wes Anderson and was blown away by how relatable the bullying was. I was struck in the head, in a good way. I watched Henry Sugar short movie next, again by Wes Anderson. I was totally captivated by the story and decided to read it. I read it along with other stories about Roald Dahl's childhood and his time in WWII. I don't think I had found more relatable childhood than his. He understood kids and was willing to write about them and for them, especially the ones in difficult times.
Recently, when I decided to read another story from Road Dahl, I came across Matilda, another story I had never heard of before. Hadn't seen anything about the movie adaptation either. I read the summary, which had spoiled half of the book!!! ffs! And it made me determined to read it as soon as possible, for it was so goddamned relatable.
Partly, I'm upset that despite going to book fair onve a year since I was a kid, I had never came across Roald Dahl's name, maybe I had but had not paid attention, since I was supposed to buy books that would teach me stuff like knowledge, which I loved too but I bet, even if his books had caught my eye, I wouldn't have been allowed to buy them. After coming back from the book fair, I had to present what I had bought, so that the parents would know what they had given their money for!!!!
Roald Dahl could never have a place in our house, for if he had, he would have been my ally and Matilda would have been my hero and an awesome friend.
When Miss Honey talked about her life, I felt so so close to her. It's been a couple of years that I've been feeling so... aware around kids. Sometimes I feel like I gotta become a teacher and help the kids in need but after a few minutes, sometimes days, it'll go away. I'm so proud of Miss Honey for standing up for Matilda. I don't think I could have balls for such a brace act. I'm so proud of Matilda and am so joyful they found each other and helped each other. It's truly a dreamy story to me. I'm grateful to Mr. Dahl. At least I got to read this story in my lifetime.
Well I'll be damned if I don't give this book 5/5.I enjoyed the explanations regarding robots being logical and not reasonable. Hard robotic-sci-fi was RAD maaaaan! This combo of detective sci-fi has really grown on me!Aaaaaand I enjoyed very much reading a fortyish white guy faint more than once =)))) (the first time in Caves of Steel)”Gladia not minding loose clothing WTF white male writers of 50s!!??? I guess Daneel's body being described in Caves of Steel kinda balances this one out!!!!!AND OMG DID GLADIA THINK DANEEL AND BALEY ARE A COUPLE?! LMAOThe narrative of this book and a bit in Caves of Steel is very welcoming. As the reader, I got to accompany Baley and we faced surprises at the same time. Nice!I did want to facepalm over and over because I used to think the Solarians are dumb but then again, because of the narrative giving us info bit by bit, it turned out how shitty it is being born and raised on Solaria. For someone who has been born and brought up in a dictatorship, in isolation, in lacking any knowledge on human body, instincts and needs, far far away from other sex*es, and just recently figuring all this out with the help of outsider experts , I could understand Gladia very well and I'm glad for her proper closure.AND: DANEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I missed him through the WHOLE plot!FINALLY: Being born and raised in the caves wasn't my favorite AT ALL when I read Caves of Steel. I appreciated the solitude on Solaria at first but after Baley visited the tanks and kids, I came to realize none of them are ideal. No matter how hard humans try to suffocate the instincts in the name of “advance” or “culture” or “custom”. All the LIE piles up and falls down all over us! We all need a moderate life where our instincts, our curiosities, our basic needs such as affection, sex, interaction and solitude are simply met, neither ignored nor overindulged. We must not let cultures, customs and traditions stand in our way. This book has become very dear to me. Asimov THE LEGEND.NEXT: Revisit [b:Mirror Image 26816219 Mirror Image Isaac Asimov https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1450235310l/26816219.SY75.jpg 46843702] in [b:The Complete Robot 50091 The Complete Robot (Robot, #0.3) Isaac Asimov https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1405467461l/50091.SY75.jpg 2361910]AND AFTER THAT: [b:The Robots of Dawn 41810 The Robots of Dawn (Robot, #3) Isaac Asimov https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351030933l/41810.SY75.jpg 905286]P.S.: Almost forgot: This book is way better than [b:The City and the Stars 250024 The City and the Stars Arthur C. Clarke https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1340242824l/250024.SY75.jpg 925052](1956).