Reviews

• 作品としては面白いのだが

  本書は、時系列的にはファンデーション・シリーズの第5作に相当するが、続ファウンデーションシリーズの第2作というのが正確かもしれない。 初期ファウンデーション・シリーズ3部作はアシモフの最高傑作だと思うし、これだけで完結した世界観を有しているため、続編の3部作を読むと何かが変わったと違和感を覚えるのは自分だけだろうか。その理由はアシモフの他のシリーズ、特にロボットシリーズとの融合を図っているためだと思う。続編の第一作であるPrelude to Foundationでも、ロボットが重要な役目を果たすが、本作品でもそれは同様である。これにより、セルダンプランの趣旨や位置付けが初期3部作とは変質してしまっているような気がするのだ。 だからといった本書が面白くないわけではない。それどころか十分楽しめた。第一ファウンデーションと第二ファウンデーションと第3の勢力の思惑が各々の立場から描かれ、そして最後に対決するシーンは実に見事で、単体の作品としては星5つに値すると思う。 但し、それでも上述したような理由により、本当にこの続編が必要だったのだろうかという気持ちが読後も残るのは事実だ。ファウンデーションシリーズをこれから読む方には、時系列ではなく初期3部作から読むことをお勧めするし、これを堪能できた方には余計なお世話かもしれないが、続編を読まない方がいいかも知れないということを申し上げておきたい。

• 文字が小さいのが残念

  本の状態は良いのですが、印刷の文字が小さいので読み辛いのがこのシリーズの欠点です。物語の内容は素晴らしいの一言です。

• Un des meilleurs livres du cycle de Foundation. J'adore le style d'Asimov avec ses dialogues à rallonge. On a toujours l'impression de suivre en temps réel ce qui se passe, ce qui n'est pas le cas dans certains romans où le temps est malmené.

• O Isaac Asimov dos anos 80 tornou-se mais radical em sua análise do futuro da humanidade: não apenas a humanidade apenas pode sobreviver com a ajuda de um planejamento social central por uma elite (uma evolução do socialismo, ao que parece), mas agora existe a necessidade da visão de Gaia: a inteligência associada ao superorganismo planetário. A forma como Asimov encara o desafio da humanidade em ocupar o nosso planeta de forma sustentável, e não suicida? Uma visão interessante como resumo de uma obra, de uma vida. A visão ecossistêmica permite o final feliz para todo mundo? E a costura das outras "realidades paralelas" da sua obra em um único universo! Fabuloso! Nota final, Asimov parecia ter afinidade com a interpretação de muitos mundos da mecânica quântica.

• i had low expectations, given Asimov wrote thus much later in life than the initial trilogy. But it was a really good story and the descriptions of worlds and characters much deeper than the earlier books. I definitely recommend if you're a fan of Asimov and have read the first three Foundation books.

• In alcune prefazioni o in altri scritti collaterali Asimov dichiara di aver ricevuto forti pressioni per ampliare il ciclo della Fondazione. Forse originariamente, non voleva farlo, ma per nostra fortuna lo ha fatto e ha scritto un altro geniale capitolo di storie fantastiche.

• When you pick up an Isaac Asimov book, you're always in for a treat. This is the fourth book of the Foundation Saga from the Master of Sci-fi. Here's a summary and review: This book hits the ground running by immediately plunging the reader into the political intrigue of the two foundations in the backdrop of a suspiciously perfectly progressing Seldon Plan. The readers are introduced to the First Foundations' highly advanced technology whose workings and implied societal and cultural implications are astounding. The readers are also thoroughly introduced to the Second Foundation's enormous and literally mind-bending psychic powers and the control they exert on the galaxy. In the middle of it all are two exiled First Foundationers; A bold and courageous councilman with uncanny intuition, and a shy and curiosity-driven historian/mythologist. It's gratifying to read about formidable individuals laying out their elaborate plans within plans, thinking on their feet, and going head-to-head with invisible foes; all in the service of a greater good and sometimes personal gains. The book is a highly engaging page-turner with well-written characters, all of whom beautifully converge towards the resolution of the story via a sometimes convoluted but undeniably imaginative plot. The ideas and themes of technology, politics, free will, governance, etc, are thought-provoking without being preachy. And the world-building in the book is rich and complex. An immensely enjoyable book which is a testament to the author's literary adeptness, imagination, foresight, and overall richness of the mind.

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