Pebble in the Sky
Ratings29
Average rating3.6
15
Ratings29
Average rating3.6
*Pebble in the Sky* is Asimov's first full length novel. It begins with a retired tailor from the mid-20th Century, who is accidentally pitched forward into the future. By then, Earth has become radioactive and is a low-status part of a vast Galactic Empire. There is both a mystery and a power-struggle, and a lot of debate and human choices. The originality of the S.F. work is the choice of a very ordinary man as the story's protagonist, rather than the more typical space opera hero.
Series
3 primary booksGalactic Empire is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1950 with contributions by Isaac Asimov.
Series
14 primary books15 released booksFoundation Universe is a 17-book series with 14 primary works first released in 1950 with contributions by Isaac Asimov, José Sanz, and Mihai-Dan Pavelescu.
Reviews with the most likes.
The science in this Science Fiction doesn't age well, however there is a great line:
“To the rest of the Galaxy, if they are aware of us at all, Earth is but a pebble in the sky. To us it is home, and all the home we know.”
A little worse, overall same feelings as the previous one.
First half was promising but tanked after 60% or so. Why Asimov adds unnecessary and unconvincing romantic sub plots is beyond me. Still the best book in the galactic empire series, which doesn't say much tbh.
Re-read in November 2023. I didn't remember much when I picked this up again, probably because my brain suppressed most of it thanks to its many implausible sub plots. Sigh. READ YOUR OWN REVIEWS AAMNA.
“To the rest of the Galaxy, if they are aware of us at all, Earth is but a pebble in the sky. To us it is home, and all the home we know.”
Mind Touch! Who would have thought? Giskard would be proud, dude.
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A radioactive Earth, an evil plan that threatens every corner of the Trantorian empire, and mental powers. It's hard to believe this is the same Earth that Calvin and Baley used to live in. Ah, how I miss good old Baley.
Asimov's first published novel is the one that started the whole Foundation universe! I'll be honest, I was expecting this to be just a good, entertaning story from an enthusiastic but somewhat immature writer; yet I enjoyed it more than the other empire novels. The Good Doctor is just brilliant and this book is everything you can hope to find from his witted mind: a complex plot with a high dose of intrigue and suspense.
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The first lines of Robert Browning's poem will stick with me forever now:⠀
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