Uh-oh... it's getting dark in here... - lean-n-mean-two review
Written: Dec 15 '03 (Updated Dec 15 '03)
Product Rating:
Pros: Compelling plot premise, good characterisation and storytelling
Cons: To predictable - lacks real tension
The Bottom Line: Well worth getting if you like sci-fi. Falls slightly short of his very best work, but his fans will be happy. Silverberg fans won't be disappointed either.
Originally a short story by Isaac Asimov, this novel is the expansion of that story with Asimov being co-authored by Robert Silverberg.
Imagine a world with 7 suns, where at least one of them is shining at every hour of the say. Imagine a world where total darkness – ”Nightfall” - is the ultimate nightmare for every inhabitant of that planet. (I’m sure that the film “Pitch Black” drew inspiration from this book, though it took on the subject from a different angle).
The book starts with a new roller-coaster ride being ridden by a journalist – an absolutely terrifying experience for him. His research takes him (and the story) in two different directions – one from the astronomy point of view looking forward (the leading Astronomers conjecturing that a point in time where the planet will devoid of light for a time is not only possible but imminent), and from the point of view of archaeology looking backward – there appear to be “layers” of civilisations underneath, as if civilisation broke down suddenly, was rebuilt, and then after some centuries collapsed again. When the inevitable happens, both plot strands are brought together – but by that time, the planet is in the grip of total darkness, and the effects it wreaks on the inhabitants…
With an intriguing premise and two of the science fiction greats at the helm, you might expect a sci-fi classic. Unfortunately, this isn’t quite what you get. What you do get is a very good book, with interesting science and Asimov’s somewhat dry style being given a slightly lighter touch due Silverberg’s influence. This also shows through in the characterisation – the characters are fuller and more sympathetic, with the plot being more-or-less equally plot and character-driven. (Usually characterisation takes a bit of a back seat in Asimov’s books, though not always). It’s quite short for a novel, and it’s a shame that the story isn’t followed through for a bit longer. The fact that you can predict most of what’s going to happen tends to minimise the tension factor, which is probably the only thing stopping it from being a five star book.
Overall, both the story and characters are quite compelling, and the writing style is good – it doesn’t feel as if it’s an awkward collaboration but the product of a single mind. It’s very good, and should definitely be in your collection if you’re a sci-fi fan. In comparison to Asimov’s other works, I would rate it as higher than most of the Foundation (though not Foundation’s Edge, and just under Nemesis and End of Eternity. It’s definitely above average for sci-fi fare, but not quite a classic. Four stars going on four and a half.
Thanks for reading,
Dave
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This was an entry into Sleeper54’s :Lean-n-Mean-Two W/O.
These two renowned writers have invented a world not unlike our own--a world on the edge of chaos, torn between the madness of religious fanaticism an...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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