Tag: book-review

Stars End S5E21

In this episode, we continue to drift along The Currents of Space, floating into chapters 7 through 12. This almost coincides with the second installment in Astounding Science Fiction for November 1952 (Chapter 7 was published in October).

The Cover of the Signet paperback edition of "The Currents of Space" by Isaac Asimov. The cover illustration shows Rik and Velona rushing across the spaceport.

“Ninety-Five Percent of the Universe is Hydrogen, and Most of the Rest is Podcasts.”

This is the middle section of Asimov’s middle Galactic Empire Novel (in-universe chronologically, that is). The middle layer of a current is called the laminar flow. It flows somewhat faster than the currents near the water’s surface or the riverbed. We’ll leave it to you to decide if this part of the novel flows better or more quickly than the rest of the book.

A lot is going on. Rik is regaining his memories and remembering the world of Spacioanalytics, the Five Great Squires are being blackmailed, Rik and Velona escape into space only to be forced into a room to discuss things with Lady Samia of Fife in classic Asimovian style and the Townsman embarks on a spree of killing and craziness that paradoxically culminates in his being stuck on a ship that he can’t pilot.

Check out the chapters, then join us for the conversation! Let’s GO!

Picture Credits:

Stars End S5E20

We start Asimov’s third (or second) Galactic Empire Novel, The Currents of Space, by discussing chapters 1 through 6. This nearly corresponds to the first installment published in the October 1952 issue of Astounding Science Fiction which covered 1 through 7.

“I remember my Podcast. I had a Podcast!”

A friend tells me that our episodes are better when we’re enjoying the stuff that we’re reading.

We certainly enjoy reading The Stars End Mail Bag! This time when we opened it up, it inspired a short conversation about My Living Doll starring Julie Newmar and Bob Something-Or-Other.

And we’re liking The Currents of Space so far! It hits the ground running with a threat of planetary destruction and a hero in the mists of amnesia! This is the Good Doctor’s take on race relations in the American South making it a nice companion to The Caves of Steel which tackled the issue in our northern cities. This gave us a lot to think about!

Like, what year was this written? It looks like the answer is actually 1952 and not 1951 like I, Joseph, thought.

We see parallels to three (count ‘em! 3!) Star Trek episodes! But which ones? Not “The Omega Glory,” I’ll tell you that much.

Is Ol’ Isaac reading comic books on the side?

And how does this compare to the other Galactic Empire Novels?

Plus, another round of “Where’s Daneel?“ Have we figured that out yet?

And more! You’ll have to listen to find out! 

Picture Credits:

Stars End S5E19

We conclude our coverage of The Stars Like Dust ―, with chapters 15 through 22. That corresponds to part 3 of Tyrann as published in The March 1951 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction.

The cover of a paperback edition of "The Stars, Like Dust."

“We the People… Do Ordain and Establish this Podcast.”

As we rejoin our heroes The USS Enterprise, trailer firmly attached by tractor beam, is approaching planet Omega 4. There they find the derelict USS Exeter in orbit. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Galloway beam over to the Exeter where the entire crew has mysteriously been turned into common rock salt, just like you can buy from any neighborhood hardware store.

No, wait. I’m confused. That’s the “Omega Glory,” S2E23 of Star Trek. I swear, sometimes these Star Trek references just write themselves.

A still from Star Trek: The Omega Glory. Fair Use.

Anyway, the beginning of the episode is actually pretty good, but the ending is very, very dumb. So dumb that it lands it in the “So bad you have to see it to believe it” category. Unfortunately for the episode, people only seem to remember that ending.

To Asimov’s credit, we know that he did not like that ending, Strangely he didn’t like it even some 15 years or so before the episode aired. How does that work? I guess you’ll have to listen to our episode.

Meanwhile, being of a certain age myself, I can’t seem to get this little earworm out of my head.

Let’s all sing along! “Ee Plannista, enor durtofo amo orper fectyoo nion…” Everybody!!

Stars End S5E18

And now we settle in for the second part of the Good Doctor’s second novel! Join us as we dust The Stars, Like Dust— with commentary like powdered sugar on a doughnut! Let’s chat about chapters nine through fourteen!

A 1980s book jacket for The Stars Like Dust—.

“The Podcast Was Located in a Little Niche Just Outside the Cabin”

But first, a quick note: our episode begins with a short tribute to John Jenkins and his wonderful “Spoiler-Laden Guide to Isaac Asimov,” which I typically refer to as the “Asimov Reviews” site. It’s what the internet should be and rarely is. You can read more about that here.

If this novel feels a little non-Asenion for your tastes, this installment might be for you! If you love Golan Treveze or the version of Hari Seldon who inhabits the Foundation Prequels, you’ll like Biron Ferrill better as this installment goes forward. If you think that there is a bit too much buckling and swashing in the first section, there is a bit of action where Biron overpowers a guard, tying him up with a pair of pantyhose. But once Gil and Artemisia help steal a space ship things settle down to storytelling and discussing galactic goings on as opposed to any actual going or actually doing anything story-inspiring. Plus, it’s something that passes for a plot twist!

So, let’s go! Help us bust the stars like dust with the vacuum of space!