FOUND: New at this so please bear with me

[Jim]

First of all I want to say I wasn't trying to be one of those "guys", the ones who finished the book real quick then talk about the ending within the first couple of days. Since I've been a member here for a couple of month I thought I'd try to participate in the discussion starting with this book. Granted with my work schedule I did buy at the beginning of this week thinking I could at least finish it before September was over. However I didn't quite realize how fast a read this book was going to be, based on how many parts there were and the chapters within those parts,because I'm already into part 4. I actually slowed down so I didn't finish it before the discussion started.

While trying not to get too spoilery, I am enjoying the book. However the time jumps in between parts were a little jarring at first, especially when I got interested the main characters and concepts in part one. So right now I'm taking it as a series of stories in one book, which is fitting seeing how it was originally published.

I do think Mr. Asimov created a very interesting universe here, especially how it evolves down the line, and I'm very interested in how this first book ends up.

[Corbitt]

I'm right with you on finding it a much faster read than expected. I started it figuring I'd get into September before getting too deep, but I'm actually going to finish today.

I find myself greatly enjoying the world created by Asimov, however I just don't connect to it fully because of the jumps. The story never lets you spend too much time with any one character or any one aspect/area/era in the universe. I like it, but also I'm not clamoring for more. Once I finish with Foundation, I'll move on to other stories. I may eventually finish the trilogy, but it may be between other reads.

[Ken]

Remember, Foundation was not originally published as a novel but as a series of stories in a SciFi magazine. That is perhaps part of the reason for it feeling a bit disjointed in places.

[Will]

I'm glad the story is moving quickly. I'm not sure I'll finish the series.

[Cliff]

Just wanted to comment that when I first read Foundation, I too was a bit thrown off by the short story format. But I persevered (because I was in a series reading mood) and felt that by Second Foundation, it pays off very well and I just wanted more from there.

Besides, by today's standards, these books are very quick reads. The first 3 Foundation books are the equivalent of a typical book these days.

I'm actually looking forward to re-reading Foundation again, maybe because I know what to expect.

[Alterjess]

I could have used the new Kindle's "time to read" feature on this book - when I picked it up last night to read, I didn't realize I was only three pages from the end! (I also could have just looked at the percentage the night before, but...I didn't.)

There are currently 59 holds on the Kindle version of Cloud Atlas at the library, so I may move on to Second Foundation before rereading that one.