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Lyn's Reviews > Second Foundation
Second Foundation (Foundation, #3)
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Second Foundation wraps up Asimov’s brilliant early 50s classic SF series Foundation.
Twenty-nine years later (in 1982) Asimov would publish Foundation's Edge, but for most of the golden age, the Foundation trilogy would form a template (though never completely duplicated) for SF excellence.
Essentially divided into two parts � the first part a conclusion of Foundation and Empire with The Mule and then the conclusion of the Foundation story. The search for the ultra-secretive Second Foundation continues across the galaxy.
Both the first part and the second had themes of a chess match between actors with several conflicting solutions being developed and supported.
Parts of this, especially discussions about the advanced mental Second Foundation reminded me obliquely of Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood's End. Not as strong as the other two, this is still a solid SF story and a good finale for a great SF trilogy.
*** 2024 reread -
I think it's important to break this series out every so often to remind ourselves of what a great foundation this was for SF.
YUK YUK!!
Corny? Not any more than mutton chop sideburns.
Just sayin'.
This time I paid more attention to Asimov's delivery and found quite the plethora of easter eggs and foreshadowing - well played, sir, well played.
This was also, I think, an elevation of his young literary powers. Perhaps emboldened by his earlier successes, he stretched his writing skills and on this second read I noticed the quality of Asimov's prose had improved and there are sections that are exceptional.
Twenty-nine years later (in 1982) Asimov would publish Foundation's Edge, but for most of the golden age, the Foundation trilogy would form a template (though never completely duplicated) for SF excellence.
Essentially divided into two parts � the first part a conclusion of Foundation and Empire with The Mule and then the conclusion of the Foundation story. The search for the ultra-secretive Second Foundation continues across the galaxy.
Both the first part and the second had themes of a chess match between actors with several conflicting solutions being developed and supported.
Parts of this, especially discussions about the advanced mental Second Foundation reminded me obliquely of Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood's End. Not as strong as the other two, this is still a solid SF story and a good finale for a great SF trilogy.
*** 2024 reread -
I think it's important to break this series out every so often to remind ourselves of what a great foundation this was for SF.
YUK YUK!!
Corny? Not any more than mutton chop sideburns.
Just sayin'.
This time I paid more attention to Asimov's delivery and found quite the plethora of easter eggs and foreshadowing - well played, sir, well played.
This was also, I think, an elevation of his young literary powers. Perhaps emboldened by his earlier successes, he stretched his writing skills and on this second read I noticed the quality of Asimov's prose had improved and there are sections that are exceptional.
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Reading Progress
July 30, 2011
– Shelved
February 14, 2016
–
Started Reading
February 17, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Joe
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rated it 2 stars
Feb 17, 2016 07:39PM
I've always thought the Mule was the weakest part of the Foundation books...I just never thought he fit in. Maybe the silly name? He felt more like an X-Men bad guy than a character in a classic sci-fi novel.
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Hmm, it is interesting that Asimov put him in, he's definitely something different.
I always felt that way myself. The Mule plotlines were my least favorite part of the Foundation trilogy.
Hmmm, always liked the Mule
Ha! Its that spice that keeps things interesting
It would have been fine to have someone upend the plan, I just didn't like that it took Professor X, er a mutant telepath, to do it. I would have like it alot more if he was simply a radical that Seldon couldn't predict.
If you never read Foundation’s Edge, try it. I think it keeps the flavor of the originals very well, even after 30 years. Foundation and Earth is another story.
YES! I do want to read that, and likely will soon. Thanks for the recommendation.
Have you seen Foundation on Apple+? As someone so well versed in the books I’m wondering what you thought, if you’ve seen it? Considering the generally mediocre standards of so much TV sci-fi I felt it’s complex, interesting & has beautiful visual production values. But it may be a travesty compared to such esteemed literature?
I’ve not watched it, maybe I’ll give it a try
Just finished the trilogy as well and this was a cool way to wrap it up. I would have been slightly upset if the story would have ended without the last two chapters, but other than that, I had a blast going through it. As someone who definitely should read waaay more, I found what's so far probably my favourite sci fi series.The Mule was, at least for me, such a nice character to throw in. I liked and enjoyed his presence so much. He's the reason why out of all the three main books, I think I like the second one the most! Some day I will go into the extended universe of the Foundation as well because this was a delight!
