288 pages
English language
Published Feb. 23, 2000
In the twenty-second century Earth obtains limitless, free energy from a source science little understands: an exchange between Earth and a parallel universe, using a process devised by the aliens. But even free energy has a price. The transference process itself will eventually lead to the destruction of the Earth's Sun--and of Earth itself. Only a few know the terrifying truth--an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun. They know the truth--but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy--but who will believe? These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to the Earth's survival.
I like Asimov's development of an interesting concept to its logical extreme. This story reminds me of "Waldo" by Robert A. Heinlein, but Asimov isn't content to accept a phenomenon as observed and use it (engineering); he wants to understand why it exists (science) and then predict interesting consequences.
This is a great novel by Asimov, and it won both Hugo and Nebula awards. It was also Asimov's favorite of his Science Fiction novels.
The book is made of up three different sections. In the first section, a new power source is discovered that works by exchanging material with another parallel universe. At first, it seems miraculous, but eventually a few people realize it might actually destroy us. But try to get people to give up cheap, limitless energy! By exchanging messages with the other parallel universe, the earth scientist who understands the danger tries to get the people in the parallel universe to stop the exchange.
The second section takes place in the parallel universe, and here Asimov was truly creative. The race he comes up with has three sexes, and he works out how they relate to each other in producing offspring.
The final section is back …
This is a great novel by Asimov, and it won both Hugo and Nebula awards. It was also Asimov's favorite of his Science Fiction novels.
The book is made of up three different sections. In the first section, a new power source is discovered that works by exchanging material with another parallel universe. At first, it seems miraculous, but eventually a few people realize it might actually destroy us. But try to get people to give up cheap, limitless energy! By exchanging messages with the other parallel universe, the earth scientist who understands the danger tries to get the people in the parallel universe to stop the exchange.
The second section takes place in the parallel universe, and here Asimov was truly creative. The race he comes up with has three sexes, and he works out how they relate to each other in producing offspring.
The final section is back in our universe, where a solution is finally found.
An intriguing Big Idea, as you would expect, and a brisk narrative pace despite the fact that little happens. I was left with the taste of the book's flaws more than its virtues: Part one (of three) is mostly academic politics, meetings and beard-stroking; part two is mostly aliens talking to themselves. Part three has more narrative flow than the other two, but is irredeemable. One character's importance to the plot is pulled out of (a hat), another's nefarious motivation seems tacked on to the end... too many flaws to enjoy properly. Not, as you may gather, Asimov's best.
