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Available
Call number
Publication
Bruguera
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: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 Earth… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Shimmin
A hardish sci-fi story about a new invention: a way to obtain limitless energy by exchanging matter with parallel universes with different natural laws. The invention determines human development for years, with many admirable results, but a small group of scientists discover some terrible
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consequences to come. The story's in three parts, with the middle section in the parallel universe. To be honest I found this a bit mediocre; with the difficulty of writing from an alien point of view in an alien culture, the section felt quite stodgy, heavily focused on expositing the aliens' (admittedly semi-interesting) lives and mostly tangential at best to the rest of the story. On the other hand, I enjoyed the believable way that bureaucracy, politics and personal interests obstructed the good of humanity. Asimov's characterisation continues to feel a little bit lacking, but it's by no means awful. Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov, first published in 1972, won both of the biggest awards in science fiction: the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. It has always been one of my favorite books of one of my favorite authors. Much of the plot can be summarized by the lyrics of “Modern English”
I'll stop the world and melt with you
You've seen the difference and
It's getting better all the time
There's nothing you and I won't do
I'll stop the world and melt with you
The book concerns our own universe and a parallel, or “para” universe. In the para-universe, there are three types of beings, a Rational, an Emotional, and a Parental. As adults they enter into triads, and to reproduce, they “melt” together with one another. The Emotional thins, and the other two immerse themselves in her shimmer and in each other. They melt for days at a time, and through this process merge into a oneness that provides ineffable joy.
The focus in the paraverse is on Odeen, the Rational, Dua, the Emotional, and Tritt, the Parental. Another group, the “hard ones” do not melt together, but seem to exist as teachers to the rationals, bringing them to adulthood under their tutelage. And critically, in this universe, energy is food.
Back in our universe, energy is just as vital, if not in such a direct sense, and so when energy-releasing material is exchanged from the para-universe to ours, scientists jump on the opportunity. Electron Pumps multiply to facilitate the exchange, and earth is soon freed from any energy dependence.
But there are doubters in both universes: is it a good idea to disturb the laws of a universe? What might happen to the earth as the balance of nuclear charges becomes disrupted?
This is a lovely book, for many reasons. For one, Asimov’s earth has its problems, but he doesn’t create the nightmarish dystopias that characterize contemporary science fiction. Secondly, he is not afraid to teach his audience science, and he remains, even after death, an enormously popular “popularizer” of esoteric concepts in physics. And finally, his romantic visions of love are unparalleled (and unlike Heinlein, for example, a respect for the intelligence and contributions of women are part of any world Asimov creates).
For anyone who has ever thought of sex as a way to merge, to become one, and to experience fully the essence of one another, this book is for you. For anyone who has not read this, this book is for you. In my opinion, it is one of the best science fiction books ever.
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in “I’ll Melt With You”:I'll stop the world and melt with you
You've seen the difference and
It's getting better all the time
There's nothing you and I won't do
I'll stop the world and melt with you
The book concerns our own universe and a parallel, or “para” universe. In the para-universe, there are three types of beings, a Rational, an Emotional, and a Parental. As adults they enter into triads, and to reproduce, they “melt” together with one another. The Emotional thins, and the other two immerse themselves in her shimmer and in each other. They melt for days at a time, and through this process merge into a oneness that provides ineffable joy.
The focus in the paraverse is on Odeen, the Rational, Dua, the Emotional, and Tritt, the Parental. Another group, the “hard ones” do not melt together, but seem to exist as teachers to the rationals, bringing them to adulthood under their tutelage. And critically, in this universe, energy is food.
Back in our universe, energy is just as vital, if not in such a direct sense, and so when energy-releasing material is exchanged from the para-universe to ours, scientists jump on the opportunity. Electron Pumps multiply to facilitate the exchange, and earth is soon freed from any energy dependence.
But there are doubters in both universes: is it a good idea to disturb the laws of a universe? What might happen to the earth as the balance of nuclear charges becomes disrupted?
This is a lovely book, for many reasons. For one, Asimov’s earth has its problems, but he doesn’t create the nightmarish dystopias that characterize contemporary science fiction. Secondly, he is not afraid to teach his audience science, and he remains, even after death, an enormously popular “popularizer” of esoteric concepts in physics. And finally, his romantic visions of love are unparalleled (and unlike Heinlein, for example, a respect for the intelligence and contributions of women are part of any world Asimov creates).
For anyone who has ever thought of sex as a way to merge, to become one, and to experience fully the essence of one another, this book is for you. For anyone who has not read this, this book is for you. In my opinion, it is one of the best science fiction books ever.
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LibraryThing member scottcholstad
I love Asimov when he's on top of his game. However, I've always felt like he's terribly overrated as being considered one of the best and most important sci fi writers ever, let alone one of the first early mega-stars in the field. And it's little details he misses even in his best loved works
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that make me stunned at the fact so many consider him a genius when other writers were writing at the same sci in the sci fi era, some famous, some not, many of whom were more inventive, creative and outright RIGHT about their predictions of the future! Example: In one of the original Foundation novels (I loved one and hated one and felt the rest were average), the protagonists go to the empire's capital planet in a spaceship and upon landing and getting out, this character goes and buys a NEWSPAPER -- 1950s Earth-era -- to read, rather than other writer's early visions of tablets, laptops and mobile phones! Isn't the time in that series something like 20,000,000 years in the future? And while he was envisioning millions of inhabited worlds, space ships, world-sized cities, he can't picture an information communications object that wasn't further in futuristic technology or inventiveness than a newsrag from his very own decade, some millions of years behind the universe he has created. And for me, that's the sign of a poor sci fi writer, when a contemporary like Philip K Dick, while also hit or miss, at least TRIED, at least reached out there with some creativity, inventiveness, craziness to describe literally alien futures, and sure he struck out on some, but he actually nailed or came close many times, while IDK if Asimov EVER did! Hell, he was writing about the hell of "atomics" obsessively as they will be 20 million years in the future! Hell, when he was writing that, the word and technology were nearly obsolete then! So, yes, I like some of his books very much, but no, unfortunately I'm one of the rare few who doesn't slobber over him and actually finds legitimate things to criticize about him and many of his works - like this one here - which knocks him down a few pegs for me in my list of all time best sci fi authors. If you're a big fan, recommended. Otherwise, there are better alternatives... Show Less
LibraryThing member rufty
A unique thing for Asimov, a book that stands by itself. I hear he referred to this as his best work and I can see why. Given that Asimov is one of the ABCs of science fiction, this made me expect a lot.
What we find inside is true science fiction, no magic, a narrative that pulls you into it, human
Well arguably one of the most alien races ever described in described in science fiction - but with just enough relevance to human drives to make them comprehendable.
Some interesting twists and a great story. Well worth a read.
What we find inside is true science fiction, no magic, a narrative that pulls you into it, human
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stupidity, pride and arrogance almost destroying the world - what more can you ask for.Well arguably one of the most alien races ever described in described in science fiction - but with just enough relevance to human drives to make them comprehendable.
Some interesting twists and a great story. Well worth a read.
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LibraryThing member StormRaven
This is one of Asimov's relatively few stand alone novels, and the one for which he received the most awards. Unfortunately, it isn't quite as good as I would hope a novel that won the Nebula and Hugo awards should be, although it is still quite good.
The novel stems from, essentially, a physics
The first part of the novel is basically a story that asks what if we discovered a dangerous perpetual motion machine, and explores the political ramifications that might have. This section is interesting, but not particularly exceptional, mostly focusing on the fact that once people have something that is immediately beneficial, the long term negative consequences will usually be ignored.
The second part of the novel is probably the best section, as Asimov tackles a universe with entirely different physics from ours, as well as a wholly alien culture. As a science fiction author who rarely included aliens in his works, and was clearly uncomfortable dealing with sex, he seems to have saved up a decade's worth of both for this book, creating some very unique aliens, an alien culture, and having a fair amount of alien sex. This is the best section of the book, and focuses on how the aliens deal with a huge ethical problem, and why they can also not turn their back on a process that provides immediate benefits but potential long term negative (and unethical) consequences.
The final section of the book is the weakest, and really drags down the other two. In this section, the problems raised by the first two sections are wrapped up neatly and without inconveniencing anyone. As a matter of fact, the final solution makes everyone better off than before, and eliminates all the problems previously encountered. This ending is really too facile for the rest of the book, and essentially gives all the short-sighted characters in the first two sections an easy out.
Still, the book is considered to be a classic of science fiction, and the second section of the book alone makes it worth reading. It isn't as good as Asimov's best work, and of his books, this is not the one I would have picked to win all the awards, but it is still a good book.
The novel stems from, essentially, a physics
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trick - under what circumstances could the impossible isotope Plutonium-186 exist, and what would it mean if we could locate a parallel universe in which those conditions existed. The novel also explores what an alien society without any contact with humanity (and only limited contact with our universe) might be like.The first part of the novel is basically a story that asks what if we discovered a dangerous perpetual motion machine, and explores the political ramifications that might have. This section is interesting, but not particularly exceptional, mostly focusing on the fact that once people have something that is immediately beneficial, the long term negative consequences will usually be ignored.
The second part of the novel is probably the best section, as Asimov tackles a universe with entirely different physics from ours, as well as a wholly alien culture. As a science fiction author who rarely included aliens in his works, and was clearly uncomfortable dealing with sex, he seems to have saved up a decade's worth of both for this book, creating some very unique aliens, an alien culture, and having a fair amount of alien sex. This is the best section of the book, and focuses on how the aliens deal with a huge ethical problem, and why they can also not turn their back on a process that provides immediate benefits but potential long term negative (and unethical) consequences.
The final section of the book is the weakest, and really drags down the other two. In this section, the problems raised by the first two sections are wrapped up neatly and without inconveniencing anyone. As a matter of fact, the final solution makes everyone better off than before, and eliminates all the problems previously encountered. This ending is really too facile for the rest of the book, and essentially gives all the short-sighted characters in the first two sections an easy out.
Still, the book is considered to be a classic of science fiction, and the second section of the book alone makes it worth reading. It isn't as good as Asimov's best work, and of his books, this is not the one I would have picked to win all the awards, but it is still a good book.
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LibraryThing member antao
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
Friedrich Schiller
I admired it much more than I actually enjoyed it. Asimov's ideas are brilliant but his characters are somewhat bloodless and cardboard. Even when he tries to work against this it comes out all embarrassing. The third section on
As to the Big Three argument, it's silly to throw Heinlein out at this stage. He dominated the actual science fiction writing of the late 30's and early 40's. His juvenile works in the 50's were incredibly important gateway works. Much of the NASA personnel that launched the moonshots got into science because of them. Bradbury didn't write nearly as much science into his fiction. You may prefer him (I don't) but he really doesn't fit the category in the same way that Heinlein does.
Two thirds of it was pretty shoddily written - far too much exposition, and people behaving irrationally in order to move on the plot. The remaining third, though, is excellent - the section set in the parallel universe. Even then the work is now little more than a curiousity.
Incidentally, I would highly recommend Roger MacBride Allen's Caliban series. These three books (Caliban, Inferno and Utopia) are based on the spacer vs settler conflict set up by Asimov, and are listed as being co-written by Isaac. In them the author(s) rewrite the famous 3 laws of robotics, as well as telling a much better story than old Isaac ever did.
(Bought in 1994)
Asimov started my love of science fiction when I bought "The Martian Way" in a Brasilian-Portuguese translation as an 11 year old on a wet and boring holiday in Portugal in 80s. I'll always be grateful for what he led me to but I have to say that, like most of the other so called "golden age" authors, he was long on ideas and short on quality of prose. Still without him would we have had George Turner or Ian M. Banks?
"Nightfall" still remains for me the ultimate horror story. The prose is often dire but the yarns are great fun. For utter dire-ness of prose but a ripping and far-fetched yarn, you can't beat E.E. “Doc” Smith's Lensman series. I swear he used up the universe's entire stock of superlatives.
NB: I have been told Gene Wolfe is much better then Isaac Asimov by a friend of mine. The problem with Gene Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" is that we've got to deal with Wolfe's obsession with his hero's massive sword and women with small, high breasts... Ah well. I must get round to write a review on it.
Friedrich Schiller
I admired it much more than I actually enjoyed it. Asimov's ideas are brilliant but his characters are somewhat bloodless and cardboard. Even when he tries to work against this it comes out all embarrassing. The third section on
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the moon is a pale imitation to Heinlein's 'Moon is a Harsh Mistress'. Given the timing on the publication that can't have been an accident. As to the Big Three argument, it's silly to throw Heinlein out at this stage. He dominated the actual science fiction writing of the late 30's and early 40's. His juvenile works in the 50's were incredibly important gateway works. Much of the NASA personnel that launched the moonshots got into science because of them. Bradbury didn't write nearly as much science into his fiction. You may prefer him (I don't) but he really doesn't fit the category in the same way that Heinlein does.
Two thirds of it was pretty shoddily written - far too much exposition, and people behaving irrationally in order to move on the plot. The remaining third, though, is excellent - the section set in the parallel universe. Even then the work is now little more than a curiousity.
Incidentally, I would highly recommend Roger MacBride Allen's Caliban series. These three books (Caliban, Inferno and Utopia) are based on the spacer vs settler conflict set up by Asimov, and are listed as being co-written by Isaac. In them the author(s) rewrite the famous 3 laws of robotics, as well as telling a much better story than old Isaac ever did.
(Bought in 1994)
Asimov started my love of science fiction when I bought "The Martian Way" in a Brasilian-Portuguese translation as an 11 year old on a wet and boring holiday in Portugal in 80s. I'll always be grateful for what he led me to but I have to say that, like most of the other so called "golden age" authors, he was long on ideas and short on quality of prose. Still without him would we have had George Turner or Ian M. Banks?
"Nightfall" still remains for me the ultimate horror story. The prose is often dire but the yarns are great fun. For utter dire-ness of prose but a ripping and far-fetched yarn, you can't beat E.E. “Doc” Smith's Lensman series. I swear he used up the universe's entire stock of superlatives.
NB: I have been told Gene Wolfe is much better then Isaac Asimov by a friend of mine. The problem with Gene Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" is that we've got to deal with Wolfe's obsession with his hero's massive sword and women with small, high breasts... Ah well. I must get round to write a review on it.
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LibraryThing member SR510
Asimov's masterpiece, rebutting charges that he couldn't write about aliens, sex, or women. The first part and last sections, on Earth and the Moon, are good; the middle portion, with the aliens, is brilliant.
LibraryThing member aethercowboy
It's said that against folly, the gods themselves toil in vain. And this book is a wonderful example. Penned decades ago, the morals of the story are just as true as they are today. Mankind discovers a parallel universe, and through the contact with a universe with completely different physical
Except that there's a squeaky voice who doesn't agree with mankind's eager acceptance of this panacea power plant. And we all know what happens when one little guy scientist starts spouting science that's contrary to popular opinion: we label him a fraud, a quack, or a charlatan, and so soil his reputation so badly, he has trouble getting a job cleaning up after horses.
Meanwhile, in the alternate dimensions, which not only has different physics, but also has a creature with three different genders, we meet an Emotional (basically, a female of their kind) who is ill content with being just an Emotional. She learns of this power exchange between the worlds, and discovers that it's really, really bad for the people in our dimension. She has some strong feelings, but she finds, that like those crackpot scientists who say that too much of a good thing is bad, she's all alone on the soap box.
I found this book to be quite unique, as far as science fiction of its era goes. You can tell that not only is Asimov a brilliant physicist, but he's also a very creative author, if you're not easily frustrated by characters skimming the surface of theoretical physics on occasion.
If you enjoy Golden Age Sci-Fi, then your reading is not complete without the Gods Themselves. Also recommended for fans of Asimov's other works.
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laws, a source of unlimited power comes forth. The only cost is that our universe gains electrons, while theirs gains protons. It would take billions of years for this to have a significant effect, like causing Sol to go all neutron star and whatnot.Except that there's a squeaky voice who doesn't agree with mankind's eager acceptance of this panacea power plant. And we all know what happens when one little guy scientist starts spouting science that's contrary to popular opinion: we label him a fraud, a quack, or a charlatan, and so soil his reputation so badly, he has trouble getting a job cleaning up after horses.
Meanwhile, in the alternate dimensions, which not only has different physics, but also has a creature with three different genders, we meet an Emotional (basically, a female of their kind) who is ill content with being just an Emotional. She learns of this power exchange between the worlds, and discovers that it's really, really bad for the people in our dimension. She has some strong feelings, but she finds, that like those crackpot scientists who say that too much of a good thing is bad, she's all alone on the soap box.
I found this book to be quite unique, as far as science fiction of its era goes. You can tell that not only is Asimov a brilliant physicist, but he's also a very creative author, if you're not easily frustrated by characters skimming the surface of theoretical physics on occasion.
If you enjoy Golden Age Sci-Fi, then your reading is not complete without the Gods Themselves. Also recommended for fans of Asimov's other works.
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LibraryThing member Ideleeneer
a marvelous thought exercise in thinking of a different intelligent life form, NOT a little green man with some humanoid appearance.
LibraryThing member GlennBell
Well thought out and interesting story line. Truly Asimov was a master of science fiction. I stongly recommend the book.
LibraryThing member aarondesk
A fine book with an interesting twist on multiple universes and how these universes could interact. Asimov introduces some keen ideas that make the book worth reading. The big theme of the book seems to be how arrogant humanity is.
LibraryThing member Waianuhea
This book kicks so much ass! Not sure what really draws me in but I've re-read it a few times now and definitely will again. I love parallel stories that intersect. I love the holycrap-we-gotta-save-the-earth storyline.
LibraryThing member santhony
Having read a lot of science fiction over the years, and being a big fan of Isaac Asimov, I can't for the life of me imagine how I neglected to read this masterpiece. Winner of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, in my opinion, this is Asimov's best work and one of the finest science fiction works
The book is written in three distinct parts, seperated by location, though the time frame is more or less contemporaneous (circa 2070). The first section of the novel sets the stage and takes place on Earth. Through contact with a parallel universe, with radically different physical laws, a source of free and plentiful energy is discovered, a revolutionary development for human society. However, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and the remainder of the novel deals with complications arising from the ensuing Electron Pump.
The second part of the novel is simply mind blowing. In it, Asimov has created an alien culture (beings occupying the aforementioined parallel universe) that is so fascinating and complex as to be well deserving of the awards which this novel has garnered. Were this 50-75 page chapter released as a short story, it would be deserving of the title, "Best Science Fiction Short Story Ever Written". The last two pages of the chapter contain two different, shocking plot twists that will literally cause goose bumps.
Finally, the third chapter of the story results in an elegant resolution of the crisis presented in the first two. Set on the Moon, Asimov creates a lunar colony, that while not entirely original, has aspects I've not seen before. The creativity, while not up to the standards of the second chapter (how could it be) is nevertheless top rate.
The story involves complex physics, which Asimov explains well and simply enough to be understood by the average non-scientific layman. This science fiction work is among the best novels I've ever encountered in any genre. I've read that Asimov considered it his best work, and I agree completely. If you're not a science fiction fan, take two hours and read the second chapter alone, as a short story. It will be well worth your time.
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I've encountered. The book is written in three distinct parts, seperated by location, though the time frame is more or less contemporaneous (circa 2070). The first section of the novel sets the stage and takes place on Earth. Through contact with a parallel universe, with radically different physical laws, a source of free and plentiful energy is discovered, a revolutionary development for human society. However, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and the remainder of the novel deals with complications arising from the ensuing Electron Pump.
The second part of the novel is simply mind blowing. In it, Asimov has created an alien culture (beings occupying the aforementioined parallel universe) that is so fascinating and complex as to be well deserving of the awards which this novel has garnered. Were this 50-75 page chapter released as a short story, it would be deserving of the title, "Best Science Fiction Short Story Ever Written". The last two pages of the chapter contain two different, shocking plot twists that will literally cause goose bumps.
Finally, the third chapter of the story results in an elegant resolution of the crisis presented in the first two. Set on the Moon, Asimov creates a lunar colony, that while not entirely original, has aspects I've not seen before. The creativity, while not up to the standards of the second chapter (how could it be) is nevertheless top rate.
The story involves complex physics, which Asimov explains well and simply enough to be understood by the average non-scientific layman. This science fiction work is among the best novels I've ever encountered in any genre. I've read that Asimov considered it his best work, and I agree completely. If you're not a science fiction fan, take two hours and read the second chapter alone, as a short story. It will be well worth your time.
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LibraryThing member michaeleconomy
this book is ok. Its pretty creative, and i like most of the characters, but there are parts that kinda drone on.
LibraryThing member Karlstar
Not my favorite Asimov book, though this is supposed to be a 'classic'. Like a lot of classics, this is deep, mysterious and confusing.
LibraryThing member aviatorz
Absolutely positively MEMORABLE! A classic right along with Dragons Egg by Robert L. Forward. I read it the first time in the late '60's or early '70's and again in 1999 or 2000, and plan to read it again. It stands out in my memory even more clearly than the Foundation Series. With the new
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developments in string theory, speculation about hidden dimensions, and parallel universes with different physical laws, its more timely than ever. Show Less
LibraryThing member truncoxx
It has been a very long time since I read this book but I remember loving it. It is science fiction but based on a lot of true chemistry facts. Some of the chemistry parts are hard to follow but the overall story is quite well put together. The author presents three stories that are intertwined
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together into one amazing major story. Whether you like science fiction normally or not, I would definitely recommend this story about technology, advancement and love. Show Less
LibraryThing member LamontCranston
The same dead wooden plodding dialogue and narrative that I remember from the time I read Foundation. It is as workman like as an instruction manual.
Only longer.
I have put myself through this as I am reading all the remaining Nebula winners I haven't yet come across in general reading. How this won
Only longer.
I have put myself through this as I am reading all the remaining Nebula winners I haven't yet come across in general reading. How this won
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when it had been proceeded by highly literate works I do not know, same for its Hugo and Locus win. Show Less
LibraryThing member Spiceca
Very interesting novel. The science was a bit over my head and apparently fairly accurate (in the sense of theories and accuracy). This book- written over thirty years ago- still has some resonance in our times. The theories are just as fair as any we have for our existence. I enjoyed the "para"
The book is not without its flaws, but for a fan of science fiction it was pretty good. As this is my first Asimov novel I can't compare it- but it does make me want to read more of his stuff.
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world and its inhabitants- in fact this was my favorite part of the book.The book is not without its flaws, but for a fan of science fiction it was pretty good. As this is my first Asimov novel I can't compare it- but it does make me want to read more of his stuff.
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LibraryThing member sf_addict
Second attempt at reading this book resulted in me wanting to rip it up and burn it! The second section is just annoying- not Asimov at all!
LibraryThing member coffyman
Somewhat confusing, but interesting concepts.
LibraryThing member Mooose
What I like about Asimov is his ability to write intelligently, he expects his readers to be able to follow his words and understand them. No dumbing down. I'll admit that this book lost me more than once, the second part confused me for much longer than it should have. I'm not sure the third part
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tied it all together for me although it did answer some questions I had. Not an Asimove I'd recommend to many. Show Less
LibraryThing member seabear
Interesting ideas, but the dialogue was so wooden as usual. Without going into specifics and spoilers, the third part was terrible. Boring and unmotivated. At no point did I care what Baron Neville thought or planned, which made the denouement pretty dull. Also I can't fail to mention the lack of
It felt like three mediocre-to-good short stories patched together into a novel. The middle part was by far the best -- pretty stilted but really interesting ideas. I would have liked to know more about the para-world, instead of the pathetic Lunas. And for a much more challenging and interesting portrayal of public nudity, try the festival on one of the Galilean satellites in Kim Stanley Robinson's "Galileo's Dream".
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good female characters. Selene is portrayed as being not much more than her breasts, and yet OF COURSE she falls for the unattractive older genius, charmed by his propriety. As someone else here said, unfulfilled fantasy much?It felt like three mediocre-to-good short stories patched together into a novel. The middle part was by far the best -- pretty stilted but really interesting ideas. I would have liked to know more about the para-world, instead of the pathetic Lunas. And for a much more challenging and interesting portrayal of public nudity, try the festival on one of the Galilean satellites in Kim Stanley Robinson's "Galileo's Dream".
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LibraryThing member pgiunta
Frederick Hallam, a radiochemist of average intellect and fresh out of university, suddenly finds himself in communication with beings from a parallel Universe who had contacted him by locating a nearly forgotten bottle of Tungsten metal on Hallam's desk. Through his communication with these
Hallam is hailed a hero and named Father of the Electron Pump, but his partner, Ben Denison knows otherwise. Denison is well aware that the design of the pump originated from the beings in the parallel Universe. However, when Denison tries to speak out, he is silenced and blackballed by the scientific community.
Years later, a physicist named Frank Lamont uncovers dangerous information about the Pump, that it's very existence could destroy our galaxy, and interviews Hallam about it. Hallam is naturally outraged and moves against Lamont, pulling strings that nearly crush Lamont's career. As a last resort, Lamont approaches Senator Burt, head of the Committee on Technology and Environment, to discuss his evidence. Burt explains that if Lamont can prove his theories with unimpeachable math, the senator will do his best to take Hallam down. Returning to his laboratory, Lamont finds another message from the para-Universe: PUMP BAD PUMP BAD STOP STOP STOP PUMP!!!!
Meanwhile, on a planet in the parallel universe, beings known as Soft Ones, mutable sentient creatures capable of shape shifting, work together with Hard Ones, solid bi-pedal beings that cannot touch the Soft Ones without enduring pain. Within the culture of the Soft Ones, there are three types, Emotional, Parental, and Rational. Together, they make a triad, what we might consider a family. Only the Rationals ever speak to the Hard Ones, as the Hard Ones are the most intelligent of all beings and only the Rationals can understand them.
In one unusual triad, Odeen the Rational works closely with the Hard Ones on the Electron Pump while explaining his work to Dua, his Emotional mate. Breaking tradition and stereotype, Dua takes a deep interest in science. Meanwhile, their Parental mate, Tritt, is only concerned with taking care of the triad's children and becomes jealous of Odeen's attention to Dua.
However, Dua defies all and makes her way into the caverns where the Pump is being constructed. Armed with scientific knowledge beyond that of any Emotional, she learns of the dangers of the Pump and sends a message of warning to our universe...
Back in our universe, Denison arrives on the Moon (now populated for generations) in an attempt to rehabilitate his scientific career. He works with a device called the Pionizer, partly designed by Lunar scientists, that he hopes will compensate for the dangerous levels of energy being pulled into our Universe by the Electron Pump. In doing so, he encounters friction from the existing lead physicist, Barron Neville who sends his girlfriend, Selene, to spy on Denison.
Can Denison finally disprove Hallam? What is Neville's true agenda on the Moon? With whom does Selene's loyalty actually lie?
Asimov breaks the story into three parts, each containing several chapters.
Part One: "against stupidity..."
Part Two: "...the gods themselves..."
Part Three: "...contend in vain?"
("Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.")
While the entire book is a fine example of hard SF, it is truly the final section that is most laden with scientific discourse between the characters of Denison and Selene and finally, Lunar administrator Gottstein, Denison, and Neville. In that way, the story turns dry at times, but it was actually a pleasure to read an "old school hard SF novel" by one of the masters. The Gods Themselves is a well paced, intelligent story with imaginative development of the aliens in the para-Universe. It's no surprise that it took the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972 and the Hugo Award the following year.
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"para-Men", Hallam learns how to build an Electron Pump that allows energy to be transferred between the two universes cleanly and with no pollution. Hallam is hailed a hero and named Father of the Electron Pump, but his partner, Ben Denison knows otherwise. Denison is well aware that the design of the pump originated from the beings in the parallel Universe. However, when Denison tries to speak out, he is silenced and blackballed by the scientific community.
Years later, a physicist named Frank Lamont uncovers dangerous information about the Pump, that it's very existence could destroy our galaxy, and interviews Hallam about it. Hallam is naturally outraged and moves against Lamont, pulling strings that nearly crush Lamont's career. As a last resort, Lamont approaches Senator Burt, head of the Committee on Technology and Environment, to discuss his evidence. Burt explains that if Lamont can prove his theories with unimpeachable math, the senator will do his best to take Hallam down. Returning to his laboratory, Lamont finds another message from the para-Universe: PUMP BAD PUMP BAD STOP STOP STOP PUMP!!!!
Meanwhile, on a planet in the parallel universe, beings known as Soft Ones, mutable sentient creatures capable of shape shifting, work together with Hard Ones, solid bi-pedal beings that cannot touch the Soft Ones without enduring pain. Within the culture of the Soft Ones, there are three types, Emotional, Parental, and Rational. Together, they make a triad, what we might consider a family. Only the Rationals ever speak to the Hard Ones, as the Hard Ones are the most intelligent of all beings and only the Rationals can understand them.
In one unusual triad, Odeen the Rational works closely with the Hard Ones on the Electron Pump while explaining his work to Dua, his Emotional mate. Breaking tradition and stereotype, Dua takes a deep interest in science. Meanwhile, their Parental mate, Tritt, is only concerned with taking care of the triad's children and becomes jealous of Odeen's attention to Dua.
However, Dua defies all and makes her way into the caverns where the Pump is being constructed. Armed with scientific knowledge beyond that of any Emotional, she learns of the dangers of the Pump and sends a message of warning to our universe...
Back in our universe, Denison arrives on the Moon (now populated for generations) in an attempt to rehabilitate his scientific career. He works with a device called the Pionizer, partly designed by Lunar scientists, that he hopes will compensate for the dangerous levels of energy being pulled into our Universe by the Electron Pump. In doing so, he encounters friction from the existing lead physicist, Barron Neville who sends his girlfriend, Selene, to spy on Denison.
Can Denison finally disprove Hallam? What is Neville's true agenda on the Moon? With whom does Selene's loyalty actually lie?
Asimov breaks the story into three parts, each containing several chapters.
Part One: "against stupidity..."
Part Two: "...the gods themselves..."
Part Three: "...contend in vain?"
("Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.")
While the entire book is a fine example of hard SF, it is truly the final section that is most laden with scientific discourse between the characters of Denison and Selene and finally, Lunar administrator Gottstein, Denison, and Neville. In that way, the story turns dry at times, but it was actually a pleasure to read an "old school hard SF novel" by one of the masters. The Gods Themselves is a well paced, intelligent story with imaginative development of the aliens in the para-Universe. It's no surprise that it took the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972 and the Hugo Award the following year.
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LibraryThing member IAmAndyPieters
This is a truly masterful piece. A sudden realisation gives birth to a system that provides unlimited power by sucking it out of an alternate universe. Of course everybody jumps on that and before long, the people of Earth live in a paradise where almost nobody has to work. In the other universe,
Isaac gets deep into the heads and characters of the persons involved, and also describes a unique alien race in the other universe.
This is a book that will stimulate your intellect long after you finish it. Reading it again and again will give you more and more insight and realisation just how ingenious this book is.
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their invention of the system solves the certain extinction they are faced with as all of their suns are extinguishing. But nothing is for free and some disgruntled people discover the ultimate price that will need to be paid. But nobody on either side wants to switch off their glorious accomplishment...Isaac gets deep into the heads and characters of the persons involved, and also describes a unique alien race in the other universe.
This is a book that will stimulate your intellect long after you finish it. Reading it again and again will give you more and more insight and realisation just how ingenious this book is.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 1973)
Nebula Award (Nominee — Novel — 1972)
Locus Award (Finalist — Novel — 1973)
Ditmar Award (Winner — 1973)
Locus All-Time Best (Science Fiction Novel — 52 — 1998)
Language
Original language
Spanish
Original publication date
1972
Physical description
7.48 inches
ISBN
8497938240 / 9788497938242