Questions About Foundation (Foundation, #1)

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Answered Questions (16)

Why do I find this extremely confusing and difficult to read? I'm interested in science and math and all, but I can't seem to get through it properly ...

Tony Stop thinking of it as a modern day book. There is very little character development, which so many people swear by. Don't try to connect to any of hi…moreStop thinking of it as a modern day book. There is very little character development, which so many people swear by. Don't try to connect to any of his characters. They aren't meant to be connected with. Try reading it as if you were listening to your grandfather tell you a tale. Isaac Asimov's ability to tell an extremely compelling story without the use of dynamic characters is quite literally mind blowing.(less)

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How should I read this series.... start from Foundation #1 or read the later preludes first?

Ann Litz I recommend reading the original trilogy, then the preludes. I found
this order very satisfying:

Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation
Prelude…moreI recommend reading the original trilogy, then the preludes. I found
this order very satisfying:

Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation
Prelude to Foundation
Forward the Foundation

Don't even bother with "Foundation's Edge" or "Foundation and Earth" unless you like saying "WTF Asimov?!?!" a lot.(less)

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Galaxy! This is some dry space! I will finish it, but space! it's making Great Expectations and Cloud Atlas look like page turners! I'm sure it's important science fiction, but it reminds me of the cinnamon challenge. Does it get better?

PaulESchilling It's supposed to be read for the ideas, not the prose. A lot of the older SF writers got their start writing for the pulps whose audience included a l…moreIt's supposed to be read for the ideas, not the prose. A lot of the older SF writers got their start writing for the pulps whose audience included a lot of immigrants still learning English so had to keep it simple. (less)

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Have you notices how there are no female characters in this book?

Leslie I'm assuming the first answer refers to the second book in the series. The only two in the first book are a nagging political wife and her handmaid, o…moreI'm assuming the first answer refers to the second book in the series. The only two in the first book are a nagging political wife and her handmaid, or whatever you would call someone who waits on the wife of an important man several millennia hence. There is also a disembodied female voice when someone arrives at a government building, which may, however, be robotic.(less)

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It's like a history book. Only facts and some people in important historical moments of foundation and the empire. I think that's why some readers found it difficult and confusing. How many of you like reading historical books even they 're not about your homeland?

Charles Another disorienting thing about this story is that he'll describe one period in history, then jump 50 years and describe another period. All the char…moreAnother disorienting thing about this story is that he'll describe one period in history, then jump 50 years and describe another period. All the characters in the first story are dead by the second, and the reader is confronted by a new situation. He does this over and over. Very few novels are written in this way. but the centuries-long storyline required it.(less)

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