Foundation by Isaac Asimov
I did it; I finally read Foundation. Isaac Asimov’s novel is a venerable science-fiction classic. It has contributed much to the genre. Does that mean it’s an enjoyable read? Personally, the answer is no. Before this, I had read some of Asimov’s short stories. Nightfall, of course, the most famous and revered of these. And perhaps Asimov is better suited to writing in the short form. Even Foundation is the compilation of many short magazine pieces.
Foundation - Novel or Debrief
Isaac Asimov has a sparse writing style. The prose is dry and the plot advances through dialogue instead of action sequences. And the two-dimensional characters serve only the purpose of having maladroit conversations. They have the rudimentary ability to speak but none of the finesse of conversation.
Most of the book progresses via debriefs. We don’t get to see any of the action play out in real-time. And it isn’t presented as a fancy flashback sequence either. No, this is a “just the facts, ma’am” reflection. And about that, ma’am, there are only two females in this first book. But only one of the two females has a speaking part. I would say what a waste and why even include them. But none of the male characters are all that exciting either.
Status as a Classic
So, then why is this first book of the Foundation series* a venerated classic of the genre? Pardon the pun, but Foundation is the foundation of the fundamental elements found in science-fiction. We wouldn’t really have Star Wars or Star Trek, as we know them, without it. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was a friend of Asimov’s and even credited him as a special consultant on the first Star Trek film.
But back to the beloved space opera Star Wars. The basic plot of Foundation is set in motion by Hari Seldon’s pseudohistory-based prophecy. The intergalactic fate of humankind is going to devolve before it can continue to evolve. And to shorten the period of devolution from 30,000 years to a mere 1,000 years, he sets up the Foundation. But prophecies are not the only correlation between Foundation and Star Wars. Themes of religion and politics, even the Galactic Empire, are all found in Foundation. So even though I didn’t love Foundation, I can’t help but acknowledge its role in forming much of the cultural zeitgeist that I do enjoy.
