Prelude to Foundation by Isaac Asimov
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
One of Isaac Asimov’s best works, and – I think – the one I read first (many years ago, of course). Given my renewed interest in science fiction, I decided to begin collecting Asimov’s works again, and (at my hinting) my wife gifted me a new copy of this.
It is an excellent work of science, culture, and supposition, as good science fiction should be. Some of the twists I remembered from previous readings, but others I could foresee without remembering (the nature of Dors, for example, is easily surmised, but the person of Hummin is a surprising twist). Asimov did a swell job, too, as he portrayed the various emotional and personal characteristics that he pointed out in each character in the final section of the novel. There is no doubt, no confusion, as we look back on the story, that each character is exactly as described (especially Seldon and his pride).
I have every intention of continuing to (re-)read Asimov’s works, and this was a delightful way to remind myself of his universe. I shall endeavor, of course, to go back as well as forward; I have read his Foundation novels, but not his Empire ones, and few of his Robot works. This must be remedied.