Foundation’s Edge – Book Review

Posted by Samuel Walters

Foundation’s Edge continues Isaac Asimov’s epic Foundation series into new and wildly different directions. It’s a book that spends a great deal of time on behind-the-scenes interactions between various characters and factions and slowly builds toward the ultimate (and inevitable) confrontation which will decide the fate of the galaxy. It’s not a perfect book. There’s perhaps too much time spent on the minutiae of minor story elements. But what makes the book a success (and an improvement over the last installment) is its ability to create a compelling premise, as well as break the “Foundation Formula” once and for all.

This is the story of how Golan Trevize, a brash, young Councilman of Terminus is sent out into the galaxy with Janov Pelorat, a historian, to look for the fabled Origin Planet, known as Earth. Of course, the quest is more of a cover, being using to hide Trevize’s real goal of finding the Second Foundation, but adding the idea of Earth to the Foundation series is thoroughly engaging. And it wonderfully connects the entire series to our own possible, distant future. What will our galaxy be like more than twenty thousand years from now? Will Earth still exist? Will it become forgotten and lost within the shrouds of time? It’s a tantalizing idea. Unfortunately, Earth is only tangentially important to the rest of the book.

Instead, this is more about the balance of power between the two Foundations – the physical and technological power of the First Foundation against the psychological and psychic powers of the Second Foundation. As a wild card, Asimov reveals the Gaia – an entire planet that functions, essentially, as a superorganism. It’s clearly the most powerful force in the galaxy and it has one mission in mind: What is best for humanity. Which of course, begs the question: Which scenario allows humanity to reach its fullest potential? The chaotic technological and capitalistic elements of the First Foundation? The shadowy and manipulative machinations of the Second? Or the immersive and cooperative structure of Gaia? To what extent is it acceptable to surrender personal liberties in favor of the betterment of all?

These questions ultimately form the central conflict of the story and Asimov deftly constructs his narrative so that by the time Trevize is faced with the decision, it’s clear that Gaia is the most palatable option. He does this through the use of minor characters. First is Harla Branno, Mayor of Terminus, who wields her political power in such a way as to thoroughly disillusion Trevize from his loyalties to the First Foundation. The Second Foundation is explored through Speaker Stor Gendibal – a kind of counterpart to Trevize. Like the councilman, Gendibal is young, brash, and brilliant. But his character shows a Second Foundation that is almost as chaotic and ruthless with its internecine political struggles as the First Foundation is.

Gaia is introduced through the woman, named Bliss – perhaps the most awkward character of the story. Asimov doesn’t give her a whole lot to do other than to stir the animosity of Trevize, as well as the amorous passions of the elderly Pelorat. She has a voice, but more often than not, she’s being used as a mouthpiece for the entity of Gaia, rather than taking on a distinct personality herself. And therein lies the great paradox of Gaia: If you are part of a greater whole, how much individuality to you really have?

Overall Grade: B-

Foundation’s Edge deserves a lot of credit for greatly expanding the scope of the Foundation series to include the deeper morality of how to create a “perfect” civilization. But the book often becomes obsessive in its details, having characters spend a lot of time talking through philosophical ideas, rather than actually grappling with them through actions. To be clear, this doesn’t mean that the book needs explosions or the like. But rather, had the philosophical exploration been a more organic result of character interactions, there would be a better economy to the storytelling.

Still, for fans of the Foundation series, this is a worthy tale, one which, in typical Foundation fashion, challenges the mind.

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Topics: Book Reviews, Sci-Fi
Filed under: Foundation