Jagdev's Reviews > Foundation

My introduction to the Foundation series has been the first book of the series, though not the first part of the story it seems.

Asimov's book is a quick read, but an enjoyable one. In the space of just over 200 pages he introduces a large group of characters, many of whom could have been worthy of their own novel. Perhaps they have received that treatment in the following parts of the story, I have yet to see for myself.

The story flows well, and despite limited character development, feels complete. The many worlds described in the text seem very analogous to our own world, which within the story has long been forgotten as the home of the human civilisation. The acts of repeating the mistakes of the past, learning from them, or accepting them as inevitable seems to be the grand overarching theme. In the book, the future is speculated over and forecast as a stock market would be, by analysis of past trends. In no small way, these predictions become self fulfilling and no character within the story seems aware of that. Whether that is for us to view their folly and reflect upon our own, or it is simply a statement as to the natural course of human development, I can't say for sure. However, it is a most interesting world that Asimov has created, and one that serves as a not so subtle model of our own.

I look forward to exploring it further.