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The original Foundation series is one of my favorite sci-fi series. In fact, it could be argued that Seldon's "psychohistory" was the basis, in my youth, for what motivated me in my later years and eventually ended up being my Doctoral Dissertation on "A mathematical interpretation of conflict". But I shall not melt your brain with such dross, let's look at this prelude. Before Seldon can return to his home world of Helicon, he runs into one Chetter Hummin, an intrepid journalist who warns Seldon of the Emperor's intentions. Like Cleon, Hummin also seeks a functional psychohistory. His aims prove more noble than the former's, as he anticipates it being used to divert the Empire from its path of rotting decay. Seldon, meanwhile, harbors strong doubts that his mathematics actually possess the potential his benefactors so eagerly seek, but Hummin is able to convince him that his research will be for the good of humanity. After dispatching a couple of the Emperor's goons, they flee to a nearby university in Streeling Sector, where Seldon can tend to his work in relative safety. Asimov was a long-time member and Vice President of Mensa International, albeit reluctantly; he described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs" He took more joy in being president of the American Humanist Association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, a Brooklyn, NY elementary school, and two different Isaac Asimov Awards are named in his honor. Rashelle attempts to launch her coup, but Eto Demerzel skillfully subverts Wye's troops and puts a stopper to the rebellion before it can happen. When he arrives to Wye, Seldon finds out that "Hummin" is actually Demerzel. I have to admit, however, that the book is not a work of art. The prose is quite simplistic and it is full of dialog. OMG,too much dialog. The last book I read with so much dialog was the Cosmetic of the Enemy by Amelie Nothomb 10 years ago but there the subject was an interview and the dialog was brilliant. In the Prelude to Foundation the dialog is quite mundane and not very intelligent which is should have been taking in consideration that the main characters are two university professors, one of who will develop one of the most important scientific concepts in the intergalactic world which will save the Empire from destruction (or so I heard)
Rogen Benastra is the Chief Seismologist at Streeling University, who helps Dors find Hari after he becomes lost in the cold Upperside. Taking place entirely on Empire’s capital, Trantor, the story covers what is known as “the Flight,” during which Seldon is forced into hiding from Eto Demerzel, the Emperor’s Chief of Staff, who wants Hari’s new science to be employed for the political benefit of Emperor Cleon I. While on the run, Hari travels across the massive planet, with its population of more than 40Billion, and interacts with various cultures. These interactions slowly work to remove the “can’t do” fog from Hari’s perception of psychohistory.
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Pero lo que me he encontrado dista mucho de ser el mejor nivel de Asimov. La historia se centra en Trantor, planeta capital del Imperio Galáctico, y en los viajes de Seldon a distintas partes del planeta buscando inspiración para su psicohistoria. Pero la fórmula que vemos en el primer viaje: visito un nuevo lugar-conozco la cultura de la gente que vive allí-me advierten de que no puedo ir a un lugar-obviamente visito ese lugar y me meto en líos; la repite una y otra vez con cada escenario nuevo que nos presenta y eso termina cansando. The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment, was the protagonist's awkward attempt at flirting. I even suspected sarcasm initially, as Hari's sudden sleazy remarks felt rather out of character. It's funny how much I don't want to see romantic (sub)plots outside the genre anymore, when I could hardly picture a happy ending without it ten years ago.
Hari then runs into a journalist named Chetter Hummin, who helps him to flee from the Imperial forces and then what follows is the grand adventure of Hari Seldon as he travels from place to place evading different forces that all want his theory for different reasons. A fun, intelligent and rousing adventure tale. I really enjoyed learning about how Hari came to his final conclusions and also enjoyed him finding out the different mysteries that pop up. Was it as good as the original series? No. But it is still excellent. Critics have been somewhat harsh on this entry, and not without reason, the most fundamental perhaps being that Seldon's quest for a workable psychohistory just isn't all that compelling. What made the earlier novels so memorable was exploring the limits of psychohistory and seeing whether the next great challenge was acidic enough to dissolve the Seldon Plan. The cerebral acrobatics of navigating the contours of each successive crisis as the Galaxy tests its fate against the provisions of ancient prophecies forms the bread and butter of the Foundation series. Sure, Prelude contains all the twists and bombshell reveals characteristic of Asimovian fiction, but the humble beginnings of Seldon's Big Idea fail to reach the epic heights imparted by the settings that have so endeared generations of readers. The action then shifts to the Dahl sector, where Seldon and Venabili rent rooms from a middle-class family. While in Dahl, they meet a guttersnipe named Raych, whom Seldon later adopts. Also in Dahl, they are told by an old wise woman that the Aurora of the Mycogenians is not the original world, but actually the "enemy" of the original human planet, called Earth. (This links with the Robot series.) And I went on to show that this would result in the ability to predict future events in a statistical fashion—that is, by stating the probability for alternate sets of events, rather than flatly predicting that one set will take place."
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Además, el personaje de Hari Seldon me ha parecido insoportable. Ya no tenemos aquí al Seldon casi mítico que predice el futuro de Fundación; lo que tenemos aquí es un egocéntrico y pedante matemático que no hace caso de lo que le dice nadie. Raindrop Forty-three and Raindrop Forty-five are two Sisters who help Seldon and Venabili with various aspects of life in Mycogen. They are also agents reporting to Sunmaster Fourteen. Prelude to Foundation is the first book in the Foundation series. However, it was written second to last. It is different from the others as it has Hari Seldon as an actual character instead of just a figurehead. It tells how Hari Seldon meets Chetter Hummin (who later turns out to be a robot) and Dors Venabili. Questo libro precede il ciclo della fondazione, qui si gettano le basi per il dopo e si ritrovano vecchie storie che ricordano i bei tempi andati di Baley e Oliwar.
Adoro Asimov (ormai è un dato di fatto)ma ammetto che nelle prime pagine mi ha un pò annoiato. La psicostoria e tutti i ragionamenti iniziali tra il filosofico e il matematico mi facevano un pò calare la palpebra, ma è stato un attimo, perchè quasi subito ho iniziato a splancare gli occhi e non mi sono staccata dal libro fino alla fine. As Hari and Dors cannot hide in Mycogen anymore, Hummin sends them to Dahl, a district that, thanks to being closer to the mantle, can produce more geothermal power than others, but is looked down because it is considered of a lower class. During a visit to the heatsinks, Hari meets Yugo Amaryl, a worker who aspires to be a mathematician and has heard of Seldon's Psychohistory. An old wise woman called Mother Rittah that lives in Billibotton tells them that, while it is true Aurora existed, said planet was actually the "enemy" of humanity's original planet, Earth. During their time there they also meet Raych, a local guttersnipe that guides them around, and also helps them escape when a mob surrounds the home of the family Hari and Dors have been living in. While on their way through Dahl's sewers, they are met with a strange man Hari believes was sent by Hummin. There is a surprisingly violent scene with infliction of bodily harm and blood letting. I don't remember any Foundation or indeed any Asimov books with this kind of action. So much for “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” from the original Foundation book. It is quite fun, though. This article, Prelude to Foundation, contains spoilers. Be forewarned, plot and/or ending details follow. Psychohistory: “The possibility of organizing the natural laws of society in such a way as to make it possible to anticipate the future with a substantial degree of probability.”That aside, this is not one of my favorite Asimov books. Much of it feels like aimless wandering, an excuse to show us different culture on Trantor. Ok, sure, they're interesting, but not enough to keep the book moving. But I never quite got to the level of boredom. I did, however, guess the twist well in advance. It didn't bother me, because it wasn't stunningly obvious, but there it is. Running for his life through various sectors of the imperial capital, Seldon tries to delve into the origin of an Empire rumoured to be on its last legs. After all a working science of psychohistory could be invaluable in providing a means of salvation...
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