The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion

This is to discuss one of October 2016 Group reads - The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov.

Halfway now and it's not really pulling me in. Took me a while to get into the alien part of the book. Made me think of Cloud Atlas.

I read this a long time ago and don't remember it at all. I didn't like Cloud Atlas so that's not encouraging to read it again!

I'm still waiting for my copy from the public library. Cloud Atlas? That doesn't sound like Asimov.

It's by David Mitchell, it's one of these books that's really highly rated and a mixture of stories that link together. Personally I found it very long and didn't like it at all. I can't remember The Gods Themselves so i'm not sure of the similarity. I do have this book so will read when I get back.

The Gods Themselves is my favorite Asimov novel. I've only read it once, and I'm scared to go back and find it less than perfect.

I really liked the aliens and the characters, which are rare strengths for an Asimov book to have.

Jo wrote: "I read this a long time ago and don't remember it at all. I didn't like Cloud Atlas so that's not encouraging to read it again!"

I expect that I read The Gods themselves decades ago when I was reading any and every Asimov I could get my hands on, but I don't remember it from back then. So I read it again a little over four years ago. I don't remember it much. I gave it three stars. It's not among my favorite Asimov, but I don't think I'd compare it to Cloud Atlas, which I didn't like.

The connection I made was about the storyline in Cloud Atlas of the strange (alien-like as I remember) creatures which were all the same except one rebel. Like the aliens in The Gods Themselves. In any other way the books are of course very different so no worries Jo.
I found Cloud Atlas fascinating and gave it 5 stars- but none of the people I recommended it to understood why.

I've got this ready to listen to soon & am glad to hear that most don't think it compares to "Cloud Atlas" well. I didn't care for that either. Like Buck, I may have read it way back when, but don't recall it at all.

I'm listening to this now & not impressed so far. The intro by Asimov was very good & I like the premise. The characters are so flat even though they're well placed in a very believable quandary.

I got about 1/3 of the way through & gave it up. I gave it 2 stars because the premise is so good, but I just couldn't keep any interest in it. Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jim, I'm curious. Is it easyer for you to abandon an audiobook then paper or e-book? I always read, don't listen and find it very hard to put away a book I don't really like.

I generally listen longer than I'll read... maybe. Depends. Sometimes I can skim a book until it starts getting good. I can't skim with audio, although I can listen 25% faster. Not usually enough to matter, but I'm usually doing something else so I can drift a bit. I started reading Snow Crash in print & this book in audio. I abandoned both, though.

I've been reading SF for well over 40 years now, so there's probably a reason I haven't read these 2 classics - I tried & didn't like them. With all the books on my TBR pile, I don't have a lot of patience for a book that isn't to my taste. I have far more books than time. Of course, my tastes have changed over the years, which is one reason why I retry such as these occasionally. I'm also a moody reader.

I did want to read this book since it's supposed to be one of the top 100 & I've always admired Asimov, but so it goes...

I see. Thanks Jim. For me also lack of very interesting characters is a problem with this book. More important, I like the idea of two universes connected, but I think I would have liked a story that made more excitement out of this.

Well put, Leo. More excitement would have invested me more in it, too.

Jim wrote: " The characters are so flat..."

Leo wrote: "For me also lack of very interesting characters is a problem with this book."

I always liked Asimov. He wrote his novels kinda the same way he wrote his short stories. In a short story there really isn't time to develop a character - its the story that matters. I always loved his short stories but his novels sometimes seem to lack deep character development.

I think good characters are often an issue in a lot of Sci fi. Story is also often sacrificed for ideas. It's hard to find a good balance.

I haven't had as much time as I usually do for reading, so I've only just started. About 30 pages in or so. Seems ok, but it's a bit too early to tell.

Yikes I'm going to try it. Wish me luck LOL.

Scott Brick narrates he is awesome with Frank Herbert's books!

I listened to the sample it feels preachy? I don't want another Echopraxiaexperience.

V wrote: "I listened to the sample it feels preachy? I don't want another Echopraxiaexperience."

I didn't think the book was preachy at all.

I'm starting to make headway in this month's selections. This was a so-so book. 3 stars. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

CS wrote: "V wrote: "I listened to the sample it feels preachy? I don't want another Echopraxiaexperience."

I didn't think the book was preachy at all."


Yes preachy is the wrong word. I like your review, I just couldn't read another loooong winded sci fi book. Maybe I will try Kindred. :)

This is the first SF book I have read in a long time, and have just finished the second part.
Dua raises an important ethical issue. The scientists are using the pump for short term gain, without thinking of the devastating consequences- the destruction of a sun, or worse. Too many people nowadays follow that philosophy, unfortunately.

I finished the book today. My favourite part was definitely part two because I really liked the aliens. I think they were most developed characters in the book. Compared to Dua, Selene is a much weaker character.