Status
Call number
Publication
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:In the twenty-second century Earth obtains limitless, free energy from a source science little understands: an exchange between Earth and a parallel universe, using a process devised by the aliens. But even free energy has a price. The transference process itself will eventually lead to the destruction of the Earth's Sun�and of Earth itself. Only a few know the terrifying truth�an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun. They know the truth�but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy�but who will believe? These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to Earth's survival.… (more)
User reviews
In the first part Asimov satirises men, swaggering about with their PhDs and swinging their dicks around. Squatting a bit to make them look like they hang closer to the ground. He also points up some of the thinking
The second part is one of the most virtuoso displays I’ve ever read. He creates a universe with different physical laws and peoples it with aliens utterly different physiologically from us. He’s thought it all out from the psychological and sociological implications to literally the subatomic level. These aliens have three genders:
Rational (he/him)
Parental (he/him)
Emotional (she/her)
The Emotional in the triad we follow is transgender Rational and there’s a kind of gay three-way going on.
Back in the day I read in an interview or something Asimov saying the reason there weren’t many women in his books was because he didn’t know any. It was only years later reading his wikipedia page that I realised this was because they were avoiding him. He satirises women in this second section as empty-headed sunbathers. I think there’s a bit of a double standard here. The men may be idiots, but at least they have thoughts. Women, according to Asimov, have none at all. Also interesting that the Parental of the triad, though he/him, carries the babies and is an idiot. Only the Rational, the closest to our male is clever. The Emotional’s inner Rational seems to consist solely of being clever too.
Up to this point we’re on course for 5 stars. Consistently interesting and though-provoking, finely written and with a real sense of mystery. But then Asimov goes and screws it up. The third part features a middle-aged man bouncing around on the moon in the nude with a much younger woman. I have subjected this section to a number of scientific tests, including the Bechdel, and have failed to find any evidence that Asimov is satirising himself. I think he’s literally written down his sex fantasy. Toe-curling and just painful to read. The plot’s in place and is interesting but we need more of that and less bouncing and transparent blouses.
I'll stop the world and melt with you
You've seen the difference and
It's getting better all the time
There's nothing you and I won't do
I'll stop the world and melt with you
The book concerns our own universe and a parallel, or “para” universe. In the para-universe, there are three types of beings, a Rational, an Emotional, and a Parental. As adults they enter into triads, and to reproduce, they “melt” together with one another. The Emotional thins, and the other two immerse themselves in her shimmer and in each other. They melt for days at a time, and through this process merge into a oneness that provides ineffable joy.
The focus in the paraverse is on Odeen, the Rational, Dua, the Emotional, and Tritt, the Parental. Another group, the “hard ones” do not melt together, but seem to exist as teachers to the rationals, bringing them to adulthood under their tutelage. And critically, in this universe, energy is food.
Back in our universe, energy is just as vital, if not in such a direct sense, and so when energy-releasing material is exchanged from the para-universe to ours, scientists jump on the opportunity. Electron Pumps multiply to facilitate the exchange, and earth is soon freed from any energy dependence.
But there are doubters in both universes: is it a good idea to disturb the laws of a universe? What might happen to the earth as the balance of nuclear charges becomes disrupted?
This is a lovely book, for many reasons. For one, Asimov’s earth has its problems, but he doesn’t create the nightmarish dystopias that characterize contemporary science fiction. Secondly, he is not afraid to teach his audience science, and he remains, even after death, an enormously popular “popularizer” of esoteric concepts in physics. And finally, his romantic visions of love are unparalleled (and unlike Heinlein, for example, a respect for the intelligence and contributions of women are part of any world Asimov creates).
For anyone who has ever thought of sex as a way to merge, to become one, and to experience fully the essence of one another, this book is for you. For anyone who has not read this, this book is for you. In my opinion, it is one of the best science fiction books ever.
The novel stems from, essentially, a physics
The first part of the novel is basically a story that asks what if we discovered a dangerous perpetual motion machine, and explores the political ramifications that might have. This section is interesting, but not particularly exceptional, mostly focusing on the fact that once people have something that is immediately beneficial, the long term negative consequences will usually be ignored.
The second part of the novel is probably the best section, as Asimov tackles a universe with entirely different physics from ours, as well as a wholly alien culture. As a science fiction author who rarely included aliens in his works, and was clearly uncomfortable dealing with sex, he seems to have saved up a decade's worth of both for this book, creating some very unique aliens, an alien culture, and having a fair amount of alien sex. This is the best section of the book, and focuses on how the aliens deal with a huge ethical problem, and why they can also not turn their back on a process that provides immediate benefits but potential long term negative (and unethical) consequences.
The final section of the book is the weakest, and really drags down the other two. In this section, the problems raised by the first two sections are wrapped up neatly and without inconveniencing anyone. As a matter of fact, the final solution makes everyone better off than before, and eliminates all the problems previously encountered. This ending is really too facile for the rest of the book, and essentially gives all the short-sighted characters in the first two sections an easy out.
Still, the book is considered to be a classic of science fiction, and the second section of the book alone makes it worth reading. It isn't as good as Asimov's best work, and of his books, this is not the one I would have picked to win all the awards, but it is still a good book.
What we find inside is true science fiction, no magic, a narrative that pulls you into it, human
Well arguably one of the most alien races ever described in described in science fiction - but with just enough relevance to human drives to make them comprehendable.
Some interesting twists and a great story. Well worth a read.
Except that there's a squeaky voice who doesn't agree with mankind's eager acceptance of this panacea power plant. And we all know what happens when one little guy scientist starts spouting science that's contrary to popular opinion: we label him a fraud, a quack, or a charlatan, and so soil his reputation so badly, he has trouble getting a job cleaning up after horses.
Meanwhile, in the alternate dimensions, which not only has different physics, but also has a creature with three different genders, we meet an Emotional (basically, a female of their kind) who is ill content with being just an Emotional. She learns of this power exchange between the worlds, and discovers that it's really, really bad for the people in our dimension. She has some strong feelings, but she finds, that like those crackpot scientists who say that too much of a good thing is bad, she's all alone on the soap box.
I found this book to be quite unique, as far as science fiction of its era goes. You can tell that not only is Asimov a brilliant physicist, but he's also a very creative author, if you're not easily frustrated by characters skimming the surface of theoretical physics on occasion.
If you enjoy Golden Age Sci-Fi, then your reading is not complete without the Gods Themselves. Also recommended for fans of Asimov's other works.
Friedrich Schiller
I admired it much more than I actually enjoyed it. Asimov's ideas are brilliant but his characters are somewhat bloodless and cardboard. Even when he tries to work against this it comes out all embarrassing. The third section on
As to the Big Three argument, it's silly to throw Heinlein out at this stage. He dominated the actual science fiction writing of the late 30's and early 40's. His juvenile works in the 50's were incredibly important gateway works. Much of the NASA personnel that launched the moonshots got into science because of them. Bradbury didn't write nearly as much science into his fiction. You may prefer him (I don't) but he really doesn't fit the category in the same way that Heinlein does.
Two thirds of it was pretty shoddily written - far too much exposition, and people behaving irrationally in order to move on the plot. The remaining third, though, is excellent - the section set in the parallel universe. Even then the work is now little more than a curiousity.
Incidentally, I would highly recommend Roger MacBride Allen's Caliban series. These three books (Caliban, Inferno and Utopia) are based on the spacer vs settler conflict set up by Asimov, and are listed as being co-written by Isaac. In them the author(s) rewrite the famous 3 laws of robotics, as well as telling a much better story than old Isaac ever did.
(Bought in 1994)
Asimov started my love of science fiction when I bought "The Martian Way" in a Brasilian-Portuguese translation as an 11 year old on a wet and boring holiday in Portugal in 80s. I'll always be grateful for what he led me to but I have to say that, like most of the other so called "golden age" authors, he was long on ideas and short on quality of prose. Still without him would we have had George Turner or Ian M. Banks?
"Nightfall" still remains for me the ultimate horror story. The prose is often dire but the yarns are great fun. For utter dire-ness of prose but a ripping and far-fetched yarn, you can't beat E.E. “Doc” Smith's Lensman series. I swear he used up the universe's entire stock of superlatives.
NB: I have been told Gene Wolfe is much better then Isaac Asimov by a friend of mine. The problem with Gene Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" is that we've got to deal with Wolfe's obsession with his hero's massive sword and women with small, high breasts... Ah well. I must get round to write a review on it.
Only longer.
I have put myself through this as I am reading all the remaining Nebula winners I haven't yet come across in general reading. How this won
The book is not without its flaws, but for a fan of science fiction it was pretty good. As this is my first Asimov novel I can't compare it- but it does make me want to read more of his stuff.
Isaac gets deep into the heads and characters of the persons involved, and also describes a unique alien race in the other universe.
This is a book that will stimulate your intellect long after you finish it. Reading it again and again will give you more and more insight and realisation just how ingenious this book is.
As an aside, the first edition hard back that I checked out from the library had a very amusing photo of Asimov on the back cover. . . Wild hair and long sideburns, an action shot of the author at his hip and cosmopolitan best (despite the thick nerdy glasses), standing on a New York street corner hailing a cab.
It felt like three mediocre-to-good short stories patched together into a novel. The middle part was by far the best -- pretty stilted but really interesting ideas. I would have liked to know more about the para-world, instead of the pathetic Lunas. And for a much more challenging and interesting portrayal of public nudity, try the festival on one of the Galilean satellites in Kim Stanley Robinson's "Galileo's Dream".
Hallam is hailed a hero and named Father of the Electron Pump, but his partner, Ben Denison knows otherwise. Denison is well aware that the design of the pump originated from the beings in the parallel Universe. However, when Denison tries to speak out, he is silenced and blackballed by the scientific community.
Years later, a physicist named Frank Lamont uncovers dangerous information about the Pump, that it's very existence could destroy our galaxy, and interviews Hallam about it. Hallam is naturally outraged and moves against Lamont, pulling strings that nearly crush Lamont's career. As a last resort, Lamont approaches Senator Burt, head of the Committee on Technology and Environment, to discuss his evidence. Burt explains that if Lamont can prove his theories with unimpeachable math, the senator will do his best to take Hallam down. Returning to his laboratory, Lamont finds another message from the para-Universe: PUMP BAD PUMP BAD STOP STOP STOP PUMP!!!!
Meanwhile, on a planet in the parallel universe, beings known as Soft Ones, mutable sentient creatures capable of shape shifting, work together with Hard Ones, solid bi-pedal beings that cannot touch the Soft Ones without enduring pain. Within the culture of the Soft Ones, there are three types, Emotional, Parental, and Rational. Together, they make a triad, what we might consider a family. Only the Rationals ever speak to the Hard Ones, as the Hard Ones are the most intelligent of all beings and only the Rationals can understand them.
In one unusual triad, Odeen the Rational works closely with the Hard Ones on the Electron Pump while explaining his work to Dua, his Emotional mate. Breaking tradition and stereotype, Dua takes a deep interest in science. Meanwhile, their Parental mate, Tritt, is only concerned with taking care of the triad's children and becomes jealous of Odeen's attention to Dua.
However, Dua defies all and makes her way into the caverns where the Pump is being constructed. Armed with scientific knowledge beyond that of any Emotional, she learns of the dangers of the Pump and sends a message of warning to our universe...
Back in our universe, Denison arrives on the Moon (now populated for generations) in an attempt to rehabilitate his scientific career. He works with a device called the Pionizer, partly designed by Lunar scientists, that he hopes will compensate for the dangerous levels of energy being pulled into our Universe by the Electron Pump. In doing so, he encounters friction from the existing lead physicist, Barron Neville who sends his girlfriend, Selene, to spy on Denison.
Can Denison finally disprove Hallam? What is Neville's true agenda on the Moon? With whom does Selene's loyalty actually lie?
Asimov breaks the story into three parts, each containing several chapters.
Part One: "against stupidity..."
Part Two: "...the gods themselves..."
Part Three: "...contend in vain?"
("Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.")
While the entire book is a fine example of hard SF, it is truly the final section that is most laden with scientific discourse between the characters of Denison and Selene and finally, Lunar administrator Gottstein, Denison, and Neville. In that way, the story turns dry at times, but it was actually a pleasure to read an "old school hard SF novel" by one of the masters. The Gods Themselves is a well paced, intelligent story with imaginative development of the aliens in the para-Universe. It's no surprise that it took the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972 and the Hugo Award the following year.
I really recommend this book for people who are currently doing research. You may not want to finish the whole book, but the first part will make you smile.
As
* Against stupidity...
* ... the gods themselves...
* ... argue in vain?
Now, go read it! :)