Prelude to Foundation

Overview: A hugely influential classic of Science Fiction written in an approachable and easy style that asks the reader to question the nature of social norms through the medium of a drawn out chase through the world-city capital of a Galactic Empire (Asimov was there before Star Wars by the way).After reading for the 20th time: OK, I've read it 20 times (at least) so I think that is review enough, really - clearly this is a book that still is enjoyable and thought-provoking after 20 reads and nearly three decades (I originally paid for the book in a mountain of saved-up small change. I don't think the cashier liked me).Is this a classic? Yes, for the concepts and ideas that have influenced countless other works.Is this entertaining? Yes, possibly the most entertaining novel out of Asimov's more famous adult-targeted SF. This is a chase/mystery novel which, unlike most of his work, actually has some action scenes. It's not quite Jackie Chan-level, though Mr Chan would make a great Hari Seldon.Is this well-written? Now we come to the rub. The answer is yes and no. Is this a classic of poetic-fiction like the works of [a:Ursula K. Le Guin 874602 Ursula K. Le Guin https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] or [a:Arkady Martine 13803582 Arkady Martine https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1517495486p2/13803582.jpg] (both of which everyone should read)? Absolutely not. Yet it works. When I read Asimov I feel like I'm sitting in a comfortable chair while a friend with a good sense of humour regales me with a fascinating tale. Asimov has a set number of words to use and he uses them strategically, investing heavily in plot and ideas along with a fine seasoning of well-placed humour, he does not allow excess baggage. You will not find flowery Tolkien-style word-portraits, but you will find it easy to slide into the story and focus on the story and the ideas that are the central point.To put it another way, in writing style this is the mirror opposite of Dune.Will I read it again Yes. Every time I read this book I get something new. This time around I was reminded of the importance of knowing history if you want anything to change, or as the character Dors puts it: “You're naive, Hari. Or not a historian, which is the same thing.”I love this book.

Je suis content d'avoir découvert Fondation par l'ordre de publication plutôt que par son ordre chronologique, car je ne pense pas que j'aurais accroché à la série en commençant par ce Prélude. On y découvre un Hari Seldon extrêmement maladroit voir carrément exaspérant à beaucoup de moments, et la première moitié du livre a été extrêmement compliquée à lire pour moi.

C'est à environ 70% que j'ai enfin atteint un stade classique que j'avais eu jusqu'ici avec Asimov : l'impossibilité de lâcher le livre. Ces 30 derniers pourcents viennent rattraper une partie de la pénibilité de la première moitié et suffisent à me donner envie de lire L'Aube de Fondation, mais je n'ai pas retrouvé dans ce premier tome la magie du cycle original ni sa subtilité.

J'ai aussi eu énormément de mal avec beaucoup de remarques lascives voir extrêmement sexistes qui émaillaient inutilement le récit mais je ne saurais dire si elles étaient aussi présentes dans l'oeuvre originale et que c'est mon oeil qui a changé avec le temps ou si c'est une particularité de ce tome.

En soit donc un prélude très en deça de la série originelle que j'ai adoré et qui au final apporte très peu sauf dans ses ultimes pages.