Isaac Asimov

[IronParrot]

I finally started I, Robot after years of claiming to be a sci-fi fan without actually having read it.

I don't know if any of you get the same sense, but here's the thing: while Asimov's ideas were certainly critical to the development of both sci-fi and how we generally perceive robotics today, and while he expresses those ideas very well in how he uses his own Laws of Robotics in his stories, I don't much like his prosaic style. Maybe it's because it has been a long time since I read anything so straightforward and simple when it comes to prose, aside from whimsy pieces like Artemis Fowl, but Asimov seems to have a lot of writing habits similar to the ones I've tried to break out of since junior high.

Is this my problem, or his?

[Count Comfect]

I have read a lot of Asimov over the years, and I have to say that his writing style fits itself much much much much (did I have enough muches?) better to his scientific expository writing than to his science-fiction. That said, I think that I, Robot is one of his weaker works in terms of prosaic style, so trying another (say, Foundation) of his would probably be better.

[BeardofPants]

I haven't read I, Robot, but I have read most of the foundation series. The first foundation book was quite hard for me to get into for much the same reason you list I-Parrot, however, the series progresses and proposes quite an interesting slant to the usual sci-fi genre. Having said that, I wouldn't bother much with the extended foundation books - the original trilogy is outstanding though.

[Esswen]

I thought the Foundation Series was highly enjoyable, I've read it a few times over the years, although some long time back it got crowded out by the (you know what) triology. I have 6 of the series and now I suddenly find out there are 9 in all, two written by other authors.

Anyway I was fascinated by the idea of psychohistory and the Seldon crises. I really liked how the story spanned 1000 years, covering so many different generations.

I'm kind of partial to books that come out as a series, anyway, although I view Asimov's writing style as a bit quaint in comparison to modern writers.

But what I particularly like about his books is that he treats the subject of space travel as a challenge that has already been met. Much in the vogue of many writers, you might say - but he started earlier than most of them.

[brownjenkins]

i'd say Something Wicked This Way Comes is probably my favorite Asimov... i also love many of his short stories, but there are probably just as many i simply don't get into because they tend to be more idea than story

he also has a very interesting series of books on the bible... from somewhat of a scholarly, and admittedly athiestic pov... whether one agrees with his conclusions or not, he put a lot of thought into it and they give an interesting alternate perspective on the history

[GrayMouser]

Originally posted by brownjenkins
i'd say Something Wicked This Way Comes is probably my favorite Asimov... i also love many of his short stories, but there are probably just as many i simply don't get into because they tend to be more idea than story

he also has a very interesting series of books on the bible... from somewhat of a scholarly, and admittedly athiestic pov... whether one agrees with his conclusions or not, he put a lot of thought into it and they give an interesting alternate perspective on the history

(whispers)"Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury

Which is probably why you enjoyed it- very diferent style from Asimov.

But , yeah, IP, Asimov's writing style is pretty elementary.

[brownjenkins]

Originally posted by GrayMouser
(whispers)"Something Wicked This Way Comes" by [B]Ray Bradbury

Which is probably why you enjoyed it

hehe, you're right

i guess i don't have a favorite by asimov (sorry isaac), the bible stuff was interesting though... and i think it was you