Part 1: Against Stupidity

[R.M.]

Loved that the 6th chapter was the starting point. The author slowly weaved it in with the whole of the first part. Lamont is a likable character and so is Bronowski and as for Hallam, well, we're not really supposed to like the smug man. I'm liking the story so far. There is a lot of Science lingo but I like science lingo, when is plausible and this made sense to me. (Isaac Asimov was a biochemist after all) You have to like some science if you're reading Science Fiction. I do. However, my one complaint is that I couldn't imagine certain settings because they weren't really described and if they were, I totally missed them. I don't like over the top description but at least tell me where they are some of the time. I'm creative enough to fill in the blanks but they are my blanks and maybe those are not the ones the author intended...blah, the story is good so far, and hopefully it stays that way. I know the second part revolves around a new set of characters probably from the para-universe (I know this because I already started the first page of the second part) so, I really hope the story doesn't lose interest when I meet new folks because I actually got attached to Lamont.

One thing I just have to mention: If you read the dedication page in the front of the book, Isaac says that the reason he wrote the novel at all was because some guy named Bob, mentioned-of the top of his head-Plutonium-186. As a scientist, who knows there is no such thing, Isaac accosted Bob, who said "So what?" So, Isaac decided to write a whole book on the subject, to prove to Bob how impossible and what the ramification would be of such a Plutonium. So, in a sense, both Lamont and Hallam are really Isaac. Love it. Purposely done, of course, but still awesome.

[Abi_88]

Tritt oddeen and dua are so hard to understand that sometimes I fee as though I'm reading a book in another language. I preferred the human characters.

[Abi_88]

Oh, I just read this and thought I would share it with you. Isaac was constantly criticized for his bare writing lacking local description. To the critics, he said this:

"I made up my mind long ago to follow one cardinal rule in all my writing—to be clear. I have given up all thought of writing poetically or symbolically or experimentally, or in any of the other modes that might (if I were good enough) get me a Pulitzer prize. I would write merely clearly and in this way establish a warm relationship between myself and my readers, and the professional critics—Well, they can do whatever they wish." I like that.

[R.M.]

I haven't been able to get to the second half yet. I've been sick but if I feel better tomorrow, I'll try to read. The pills make me drowsy.

Interesting, I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed his lack of description. I would say part of being clear is informing the reader where they are. I guess Mr. Asimov used to get touchy-touchy for the simplest of observations.

[Abi_88]

Oh what're you sick from? And yeah, the second part is extremely complicated. The aliens are very eccentric as they should be, but still, I don't understand what is happening.

[R.M.]

I have a hormonal inbalance that is making my body hurt so bad. Ive been given naproxen for the pain.. I can't sit or lie down or walk or anything without feeling pain so I just do nothing. Can't even write. The inbalance is something I've been ignoring for years since P.R and now it just exploded cause I'm no longer a teenager. You can only not take care of your body for so long. This is what I get. The obgyn said I need birth control pills to get my menstruel cycle back on track and I need to eat more. Take vitamins. Need way more iron for thr anemia problem. Basically fix all the issues of when I was a teen. Once you get older you just can't abuse the body anymore. My body is shutting down. It's pretty depressing.

[Abi_88]

Ruthy you need to take care of yourself, life is precious and we only get one shot at it. If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here, I know that we always argue and that we are both stubborn and competitive but we are still sisters.