Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading?

Wandering along the edges of alt.books.isaac-asimov, I found the following
bit of electronic flotsam written by e4e5 DeleteThis @direcway.com in
news:1108389883.970420.79310@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

 >
 > You are asking a very biased group...
 >
 > Yes, they are worth reading.
 >
 > Many agree that they are not quite up to par with the original series,
 > but then the original series is "the best science fiction series ever
 > written" according to the Hugo Awards in the 1970's.
 > Those get 5 stars out of 4 for me.
 > The added books "just" get 4.
 >
 > Since you liked _I, Robot_ of course the _Robot_ novels are a must.
 > _Caves of Steel_, _Naked Sun_, _Robots of Dawn_, _Robots and Empire_.
 > I would read these befor the remaining Foundation books since they were
 > written earlier.
 >
 > good reading!
 > David

I agree and merely wish to add Dorothy Parker's observation:
"For people who like this sort of stuff, this is the sort of stuff those
people will like"<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

I would say that the latter novels are not on the same level as the
first three. But that is really no reason not to read the rest of the
books in the series. I say that if you enjoyed the first three, read
the rest. The worst that will happen (if you get them from the library)
is you'll have wasted a few hours of your reading life. The best that
will happen is an enjoyable few hours.
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

In article <slrnd10ce9.9pg.me.TakeThisOut@serpentor.cobrala>, Preston Crawford
<me.TakeThisOut@prestoncrawford.com> writes:

 > I've been told and have read, that the other Foundation Novels came much
 > later than the original trilogy and aren't up to par with the original. So
 > I'm wondering if I should bother with them. Or should I read the rest of
 > the robot series next? And chronologically, how does the robot series go?

Most folks think that the originals are better. Personally, I read the
originals long before the others (as probably most people did), so I
would have to re-read them at approximately the same time to form an
opinion. However, I definitely recommend them. They are not bad by any
stretch of the imagination. Not everyone's cup of tea, perhaps, but
that's a different issue.

I strongly recommend to read ALL of Asimov's science fiction in the
order of publication.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

I think Second Foundation is great. Yes, indeed.
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

Hmmm. I'm beginning to see that I'm alone in thinking that Asimov's novels
just got better and better the later they were written. I felt that the
later novels began to focus more on "meaning of life" stuff of galactic
proportions rather than the "scifi politics" in the earlier ones. The're
all good stuff!

What I do hate though is the second foundation trilogy by Benford Bear and
Brin. Boring!
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

I think that the books were simply a reflection of the time that they
were written in. If you look at the publishing dates to each, you'll
find that the center story kinda goes along with the way that the
plitical and social forces were going.

And also there's like 30 years (going off faded memory here) of life
between the sets of stories and no matter what, life experience tends
to change writing styles to some degree.
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

Mark <markfinch.TakeThisOut@btinternet.com> wrote:

 > Hmmm. I'm beginning to see that I'm alone in thinking that Asimov's novels
 > just got better and better the later they were written. I felt that the
 > later novels began to focus more on "meaning of life" stuff of galactic
 > proportions rather than the "scifi politics" in the earlier ones. The're
 > all good stuff!
 >
 > What I do hate though is the second foundation trilogy by Benford Bear and
 > Brin. Boring!

I recently read Foundation & Chaos by Greg Bear and enjoyed it.
Thought it was closest to the Asimov style.
But hated the one that was mostly about the memes (can't remember which
author).

But I've enjoyed all of the Foundation and Robot books to varying
degrees.

Mike<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

But, please read them in the correct order.

I'm so sorry that Isaac died before being able to write yet another
Foundation novel (coming after Foundation and Earth).

Regards,


In article <slrnd10ce9.9pg.me.RemoveThis@serpentor.cobrala>, me.RemoveThis@prestoncrawford.com
says...
 > So I have a former co-worker who recommended I check out the Foundation
 > series, but said I should stay away from anything after "Second
 > Foundation". I'm fairly well read. I studied English lit in college and
 > was an avid reader before that, so I was quite surprised as I'd never read
 > Asimov. But I picked up "I, Robot" this summer (yes, because of the hype
 > about the movie, although I never ended up seeing the movie once I read
 > the book and realized they weren't even in the same galaxy) and loved it.
 > And then, on his recommendation I picked up Foundation and tore through
 > the original trilogy. Now my quandry is this. I love Asimov now. I grew up
 > reading a lot of distopian sci-fi ("We", "Brave New World", "1984", etc.)
 > as well as tons of Arthur C. Clarke. So Asimov is quite interesting and
 > new to me as I just never "got around" to reading him. I want more, yet I
 > don't know where to go next.
 >
 > I've been told and have read, that the other Foundation Novels came much
 > later than the original trilogy and aren't up to par with the original. So
 > I'm wondering if I should bother with them. Or should I read the rest of
 > the robot series next? And chronologically, how does the robot series go?
 >
 > Thanks,
 >
 > Preston
 >

--
Erik De Laet - E.De.L.Com bvba
- The Software bridge to the user! -
Web site: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.edelcom.be" target="_blank">www.edelcom.be</a> - <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.edelcom.com" target="_blank">www.edelcom.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

On 2005-02-18, Erik De Laet <look RemoveThis @my-edelcom.com> wrote:
 >
 > But, please read them in the correct order.
 >
 > I'm so sorry that Isaac died before being able to write yet another
 > Foundation novel (coming after Foundation and Earth).
 >

Sorry it took me so long to reply. Lost my job recently, so I've been
busy looking for work, etc. Thanks for all the comments I'm going to read
them in order. I just need to figure out what "In Order" means.

So far I've read.

Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation

I, Robot

Where do I go from here? I love both series and if they indeed are worth
reading, the later Foundation novels, then I would like to finish them off
in order.

Preston<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

"Preston Crawford" <me RemoveThis @prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:slrnd4651r.fc.me@serpentor.cobrala...
 >I just need to figure out what "In Order" means.
 >
 > Where do I go from here? I love both series and if they indeed are worth
 > reading, the later Foundation novels, then I would like to finish them off
 > in order.
 >
In order means either the way the books were published or either storywise,
by following the timeline of the plot.
I have read the Foundation series so I can suggest to you that I liked the
way the books were published, meaning reading them in this order:

Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation

Foundation's Edge
Foundation and Earth

and then the two prequels:
Prelude to Foundation
Forward the Foundation

Others might have followed the storyline order:

Prelude to Foundation
Forward the Foundation
Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation
Foundation's Edge
Foundation and Earth

The idea is that in the first two prequels there are references to the other
books that follow, references that Asimov made thinking that you, the
reader, already know, as you supposed to have read them in the order they
were published.

I myself might start sometime soon the robot series, again in the way the
books were published. There is no problem with
I, Robot because that is a standalone book.

In the end, either way is an enjoyment of the books.

Cheers,
Iakovos:)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

On 2005-03-25, iakovos <indianos.RemoveThis@ath.forthnet.gr> wrote:
 >
 > "Preston Crawford" <me.RemoveThis@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
 > news:slrnd4651r.fc.me@serpentor.cobrala...
  >>I just need to figure out what "In Order" means.
  >>
  >> Where do I go from here? I love both series and if they indeed are worth
  >> reading, the later Foundation novels, then I would like to finish them off
  >> in order.
  >>
 > In order means either the way the books were published or either storywise,
 > by following the timeline of the plot.
 > I have read the Foundation series so I can suggest to you that I liked the
 > way the books were published, meaning reading them in this order:

That's not what I meant. I know what order Foundation goes in. What I was
referring to was that some people I've talked to have indicated that the
Robot series crosses over with the Foundation series after Second
Foundation and that because of this I won't "get" the Foundation novels
that follow the original 3 unless I have read some of the Robot series.

Is this not true? If so I'll happily go read the Foundation novels by
themselves first.

Preston<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

"Preston Crawford" <me.DeleteThis@prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
news:slrnd486vm.62l.me@serpentor.cobrala...

 > That's not what I meant. I know what order Foundation goes in. What I was
 > referring to was that some people I've talked to have indicated that the
 > Robot series crosses over with the Foundation series after Second
 > Foundation and that because of this I won't "get" the Foundation novels
 > that follow the original 3 unless I have read some of the Robot series.

Ok, that's more clear to me.
Yes, the Robot series crosses over to the Foundation series, but each saga
stands alone on its own.
What I can suggest is for you to read the Foundation series first,
since you already started it, then turn to the Robot series afterwards.
You can say that the Foundation series is the aftermath of the Robot series.
Since Asimov decided to bind them together later on, in order to have a
clear view of his vision,
both sagas should be read.
But as each saga deals with different plots, it is safe for any reader to
read any saga he likes in what order he likes.
Most of the references by the Robot Saga are found in the two prequels and
the Foundation and Earth book.

 > Is this not true? If so I'll happily go read the Foundation novels by
 > themselves first.

In other words, you'll miss nothing if you read the Foundation saga first,
then go back to the Robot saga afterwards.

Cheers,
Iakovos:)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading? 

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 18:10:17 +0200, "iakovos"
<indianos DeleteThis @ath.forthnet.gr> wrote:

 >
 >"Preston Crawford" <me DeleteThis @prestoncrawford.com> wrote in message
 >news:slrnd486vm.62l.me@serpentor.cobrala...
 >
<snip>
 >
 >Ok, that's more clear to me.
 >Yes, the Robot series crosses over to the Foundation series, but each saga
 >stands alone on its own.
 >What I can suggest is for you to read the Foundation series first,
 >since you already started it, then turn to the Robot series afterwards.
 >You can say that the Foundation series is the aftermath of the Robot series.
 >Since Asimov decided to bind them together later on, in order to have a
 >clear view of his vision,
 >both sagas should be read.
 >But as each saga deals with different plots, it is safe for any reader to
 >read any saga he likes in what order he likes.
 >Most of the references by the Robot Saga are found in the two prequels and
 >the Foundation and Earth book.
 >
  >> Is this not true? If so I'll happily go read the Foundation novels by
  >> themselves first.
 >
 >In other words, you'll miss nothing if you read the Foundation saga first,
 >then go back to the Robot saga afterwards.
 >
I agree with one exception.

Foundation and Earth and probably Foundation's Edge (ok. make that 2
exceptions (^ clearly comes after the Robot series, so, IMHO,
knowledge and understanding of what happened in the Robot novels adds
greatly to your appreciation and understanding of F&E.

My suggestion would be to to read the 3 original foundation novels,
the 2 prequels, the robot novels and finally Foundation's Edge and
Foundation and Earth.

But, it's your choice. I think you'll enjoy them in any order you
choose.

Tom<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Are the *other* Foundation novels worth reading?