'Foundation's Edge' is the fourth installment in the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. The story delves into the political games between the First and Second Foundations, with the protagonist Trevize embarking on a quest to find the elusive Second Foundation. As the plot unfolds, the book introduces the concept of other intelligences beyond the known universe and explores the manipulation of events by various factions. The writing style is described as a novel of ideas and concepts, focusing on the grand future history set out in the Seldon Plan.

Characters:

The main characters are more developed compared to earlier books, allowing for richer interactions and deeper implications.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is clear and readable, balancing interesting ideas with occasional verbosity and flatness.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative focuses on political intrigue and philosophical queries about control and knowledge within a galactic empire.

Setting:

The setting is expansive, rooted in a richly built science fiction universe filled with political complexities.

Pacing:

The pacing improves as the book progresses, with a slow start transitioning into a more gripping narrative.

Compor’s voice dropped and he said in a half-whisper, “Look, I don’t mind your talking like this to me, because I take it as just talk, but if you shout it out in crowds others will hear and, frankly,...

Notes:

Foundation's Edge was published in 1982, almost 30 years after the last book in the original Foundation Trilogy.

Isaac Asimov's writing style evolved significantly between the original trilogy and Foundation's Edge, showing greater maturity.

The novel is set 500 years after the establishment of the Foundation and follows Councilman Golan Trevize's quest.

Golan Trevize suspects the Second Foundation is manipulating events, leading to his secret mission to locate them.

The book is dialogue-heavy, with characters often discussing and debating rather than engaging in action sequences.

Foundation's Edge won the 1983 Hugo Award, despite some critiques about its ending and character development.

The story introduces the telepathic society of the Second Foundation and the mysterious planet Gaia.

Asimov integrates themes from his Robot series into Foundation's Edge, linking different parts of his science fiction universe.

The characters, particularly Golan Trevize, are described as more developed than those in earlier Foundation books but still lack complexity compared to modern standards.

The novel explores the concept of multiple foundations and a hidden third force influencing the galaxy.

From The Publisher:

The fourth novel in Isaac Asimov's classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series

THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE UPCOMING APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION, COMING 9/24/21

At last, the costly and bitter war between the two Foundations has come to an end. The scientists of the First Foundation have proved victorious, and now they return to Hari Seldon's long established plan to build a new Empire on the ruins of the old. But rumors persist that the Second Foundation is not destroyed after all-and that its still-defiant survivors are preparing their revenge. Now two exiled citizens of the Foundation-a renegade Councilman and a doddering historian-set out in search of the mythical planet Earth . . . and proof that the Second Foundation still exists.

Meanwhile someone-or something-outside of both Foundations seems to be orchestrating events to suit its own ominous purpose. Soon representatives of both the First and Second Foundations will find themselves racing toward a mysterious world called Gaia and a final, shocking destiny at the very end of the universe.

Ratings (24)

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Loved It (9)
Liked It (7)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (32):

Read It (25)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (2)

What can you read after
Foundation's Edge?

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About the Author:

Isaac Asimov began his Foundation series at the age of twenty-one, not realizing that it would one day be considered a cornerstone of science fiction. During his legendary career, Asimov penned more than 470 books on subjects ranging from science to…

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Foundation's Edge

Isaac Asimov

Book 4 in the series:Foundation