Pebble in the Sky
Ratings71
Average rating3.7
I thought it was alright. I didn't particularly like Joseph Schwarz as a character and felt Arvadan was more compelling. Balkis wasn't a good villain as we never got to understand his motivations as we did for Aratap and Fife who were way better villains and I preferred seeing them. Balkis is given a whole section in which he uses good logic but totally misunderstands the plot making him feel idiotic which is what you don't want in a villain. The Empire was cool and had an interesting presence but I think I preferred the dynamics of the Tyranni or Sark. The radioactivity of Earth was interesting. I feel like they didn't explore the time travel element enough but rather focused on Schwartz's telepathy instead of Schwartz bringing a new Renaissance of old knowledge. For instance, the US Constitution is rumoured to have helped create the Trantorian Empire, thus, wouldn't Schwartz's knowledge be immensely valuable? I think a story in which Schwartz's renaissance conflicts with the traditionalists of Earth could be interesting. It was alright nonetheless and I think might be my least favourite of the trilogy since there's no interesting villain which I like most in a novel.
Autorii sf ar trebui sa ramana la sf, nu va mai atingeti de dragoste va rog, ma iau de cap <3
The science in this Science Fiction doesn't age well, however there is a great line:
“To the rest of the Galaxy, if they are aware of us at all, Earth is but a pebble in the sky. To us it is home, and all the home we know.”
First half was promising but tanked after 60% or so. Why Asimov adds unnecessary and unconvincing romantic sub plots is beyond me. Still the best book in the galactic empire series, which doesn't say much tbh.
Re-read in November 2023. I didn't remember much when I picked this up again, probably because my brain suppressed most of it thanks to its many implausible sub plots. Sigh. READ YOUR OWN REVIEWS AAMNA.
“To the rest of the Galaxy, if they are aware of us at all, Earth is but a pebble in the sky. To us it is home, and all the home we know.”
Mind Touch! Who would have thought? Giskard would be proud, dude.
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A radioactive Earth, an evil plan that threatens every corner of the Trantorian empire, and mental powers. It's hard to believe this is the same Earth that Calvin and Baley used to live in. Ah, how I miss good old Baley.
Asimov's first published novel is the one that started the whole Foundation universe! I'll be honest, I was expecting this to be just a good, entertaning story from an enthusiastic but somewhat immature writer; yet I enjoyed it more than the other empire novels. The Good Doctor is just brilliant and this book is everything you can hope to find from his witted mind: a complex plot with a high dose of intrigue and suspense.
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The first lines of Robert Browning's poem will stick with me forever now:⠀
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