Reviews from a Writer's Desk – Foundation

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

It is in my express opinion that reading is just as important to the writing art, as writing itself it. I strive to read as much as I can, being a reader of Analog Science Fiction and Fact and always reading a book. I recently finished Foundation by Isaac Asimov, and am currently reading A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. All these are first time reads for me.

Going into Foundation, you could say that I had very high expectations. Asimov is one of my inspirations, having read many of his essays, also reading I, Robot, and hearing the rave reviews on top of that, it was something I was excited to read. But after reading it, and letting it sit in my mind, pondering it's story, I could not help but feel the reviews I had read were exaggerated. Grant it, it is one of the first space operas of science fiction, with a sweeping story that spanned many years in the novel. It was a story where there was not necessarily a grand hero, although one could argue that Hari Seldon was the hero and main character of the novel, but it is a novel of the people. Of politics, war, religion, and history. But what made this stand out to everyone? And why did this novel not stand out to me?

First, I looked into the history of the novel. Interestingly enough, it did not start as a novel. It started as short stories in Astounding Magazine, now known as Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and published between 1942 and 1944. It did not reach the form of a novel that we know now until 1951. The first story/part was published when he was about 23. It was also published in 1955 under the title The 1,000-Year Plan. So it is an over 50 year novel written by a 23 year old. I moved on with my thoughts.

Reflecting on the story, without releasing major spoilers, it definitely felt like a sweeping epic. It began with psychohistorians, a study that is touched on in the beginning, but not really explained. It was a topic I would have enjoyed to have learned more about. The characters we are introduced to where interesting: Hari Seldon, Gaal, and the Emperor who has his own impersonator. But just as I get used to these characters, that part ends. Another parts beings, with a whole new cast of characters, leaving behind the other characters, save for one. Get comfortable with them, and then that parts ends, and we get another new part with another new cast of characters. This repeats throughout the novel.

The theme changes throughout the novel as well. It begins with a fall of a civilization, then it switches to a political novel, following the politics of the scientific planet, Terminus. Then it becomes a novel of religion being used to take over and rule over the populous. Each part has its own feel and story to it, clearly showing the reading these were short stories tied together. Not a novel.

It was at that moment I realized that I was looking at this from the wrong perspective. I was looking at this as a novel, one story told throughout from start to finish. In reality, I should have looking at this as short stories taking place in one universe. Once I had that perspective, I then fell in agreement with the rest of the reviewers. This was a must read classic science fiction that all science fiction readers would enjoy.

But why? Why is this such a good novel? Ask any reader of Foundation and you will get a different answer from each and all are correct. These are my thoughts as to why it is so good. Generally, good triumphs over evil in all stories. Not so with Foundation. In here, it is the Galactic Empire, the good guys, that fall. It is the scientists, again the good guys, that need to reach a compromise with an attacking force. I enjoyed it because this is not your standard. This is one of the, if not the first, of space operas on a sweeping scale. It carries to a great degree the timeline and length of years stories. It does not follow the usual tropes of stories. And that is what makes it good in my eyes.

I recommend this novel, correction, short story collection to those that have gotten their feet wet and already enjoy science fiction. If this is your first science fiction read, it will be hard to read. On my scale of 0-9, I rate Foundation at a very strong 7. I definitely will be reading this novel again in the future.