Great Imagination and so relevant to today (The Gods themselves - Isaac Asimov)

Member Name: Pamela M

Product:	The Gods themselves - Isaac Asimov
Date:	02/10/03 (118 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exciting, The issues are still important today, Fantastic imagination

Disadvantages: Rather a lot of characters to remember sometimes

The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov

My library find last visit was a battered old copy of this book, which I very much hope is still in print and readily available. (Ever noticed how the best library books often look rather well read?)

Although it is set in the twenty second century, I realized this book was quite old because it was science fiction, without a personal computer or mobile phone in sight! At first I found this a reminder that the book had been published way back in 1972, and a lot has changed. However, most of the issues are relevant to today. This issue of sustainability is central to the electron pump, and the misgivings that Denison and Lamont have about Hallam’s pet technology. The personal disputes and the pettiness of Hallam are unfortunately familiar in professions today, as indeed they always have been, for human nature does not change. There is also the issue of genetic engineering, which is current today. There is the issue of prejudice, and the human desire to feel superior to newcomers. There is also love, between Earthman and Lunarite girl, and sexual intrigue at that level interlocking with the scientific intrigue. I found all this quite exciting.

The book jumps about a bit, and I suddenly found myself reading about characters in a parallel universe. Asimov’s imagination is apparently limitless, as he conceived new civilizations, new mores, and new life forms. I found this totally intriguing, and yes, love arises, but don’t think you’re going to get any earth style romance here. Sensuousness and love, yes, but none of our usual erotica in the para-universe.

This book is a great read, and well worth the effort of flipping back the pages now and then to remind yourself how someone fitted into the story earlier.

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