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Contents contributed and discussions participated by Miki Clark

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Miki Clark

Nemesis Review - 0 views

www.asimovreviews.net/...Book429.html

nemesis review Asimov

shared by Miki Clark on 20 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • I can’t say that I regard it very highly.
  • he gives it one of these complicated structures—writing the novel from three different points of view, and from three different time-frames—which he tends to like so much
  • he does not create really interesting characters here
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • The social background of the story and the science are generally interesting
  • These are features common to many of Asimov’s later books—stronger backgrounds with weaker characters
  • it simply feels bloated and unnecessary
  • Miki Clark on 20 Jan 12
     
    Argument: This book in particular, and ineed those later in Asimov's career, aren't as strong as his original works had been. Claims: That his later works focus more on setting and science than on character interaction, and that Asimov's typical style of writing from different points of view/time periods can get confusing and bogs the plot down. Evidence: highlighted
Miki Clark

Fantasy & Science Fiction - April 1990 - Books to Look For - 0 views

www.hatrack.com/...90-04.html

science fiction Asimov Research review

shared by Miki Clark on 13 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • Asimov presents ideas to his audience in such a way that each idea has been perfectly prepared for; so that even as it surprises us, we already understand the context so well that we grasp the new information instantly.
  • In second-rate fiction, the cosmic and personal stories are irrelevant to each other -- we get "characters" solely to be witnesses of the cool stuff that happens on a cosmic level, or we get "ideas" thrown in only to make standard adventure or character stories seem like science fiction. In the best sf -- like Nemesis -- the two stories absolutely depend on each other. Resolutions of the problems posed by Nemesis depends on Marlene and her family, resolutions of Marlene's needs, and the needs of her parents, absolutely depend on the ideas and discoveries in the cosmic story.
  • Miki Clark on 13 Jan 12
     
    Argument: Asimov's knack for story telling relies on the style with which he presents his characters, and the way he makes the cosmic story of the book as much a relevent character to the plot as the humans. Claims: That his style is a very plain yet very clear one, that his characters are often plain with a touch of peculiarity, and that he can weave a story that is both surprising and not unexpected in the least. Evidence: Highlighted.
Miki Clark

Asimov Collective Works Analysis - 0 views

web.ebscohost.com.lib.chandleraz.gov/...detail

Asimov Literary Analysis Reference

shared by Miki Clark on 11 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • Wollheim called the Foundation trilogy “the point of departure for the full cosmogony of science-fiction future history.” The 1966 World Science Fiction Convention voted the trilogy “the greatest all-time science fiction series.” Numerous scientists have attributed their interest in science to their early reading of the trilogy.
  • the fall of the Galactic Empire and efforts by Hari Seldon and his successors to shorten the period of barbarism that would follow from thirty thousand years to only one thousand years.
  • Asimov valued transparency and logic over character and style (the latter, he thought, militated against the former), and traditional literary analyses are likely to find his stories deficient.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Nonetheless, his initial interest in history influenced the sequence of the stories as much as the manner of their creation, as they portray the solution of each generation’s problem itself becoming a problem that the next generation must solve. The grip of the encyclopedists, for instance, must be broken by Mayor Hardin; the political power of the mayors must then be broken by Hober Mallow; the religious power of scientism must be broken by the traders; and the economic power of the traders must be modified by the incorporation of the independent traders.
  • If there is any element of necessity in the trilogy, it is the necessity to behave rationally rather than emotionally if civilized ends are to be achieved without resorting to violence. As a consequence, power often lurks behind the scenes, which may also have been Asimov’s analysis of history.
  • Miki Clark on 11 Jan 12
     
    Argument: Asimov uses character motivation to progress the story by having the purpose behind the characters shift in reaction to events in the plot. Claims: He changes his characters from rational to reactionary and impulsive to indicate the climax and the rising anxiety of action. Evidence: Highlighted
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