The Gods Themselves

12 Ratings: 3.6

A book by Isaac Asimov

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 … see full wiki

Tags: Books, Book, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Books, Classic, Parallel Universes, see all

Author: Isaac Asimov

Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Publisher: Spectra

Date Published: September 4, 1990

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Awesome Science, Rough Pacing

Feb 22, 2011

by TRStien
posted in Forbidden Planet - Sci-Fi Books & Films!

Exclusive to the Lunch Network

Rating:

It's rough to take the position that an award winning novel by one of the most respected science fiction authors is tough to read because of its slow pace, but that is how I would describe The Gods Themselves. It's a novel in three acts that takes place on the earth, on the moon, and in an alternate universe. The science in the book is fascinating and there are some worthwhile characters, but some of the writing makes certain sections a slog and makes the book feel uneven.

The book was published in the early 1970s, and it seems likely that the oil crisis, which was heating up at the time, was on Asimov's mind. The novel deals with technology from another universe that allows scientists on earth to exchange matter with that universe, creating a seemingly-infinite supply of cheap energy in the process. However, cheap endless energy is, of course, too good to be true, and it is up to several scientists to stand up to the establishment (both scientific and political) to save the world. I think this is a perfect premise, addressing a real problem that is still relevant today and positing an interesting "what if?" of a solution, and Section 1 sets up this premise well. It also gives some great insight into the relationship between science and politics, which I thought was fantastic.

Asimov does a great job, in many cases, of explaining how science would work in the situations presented, particularly in sections 1 and 2. For example, he creates a race of aliens for a universe where particles less tightly packed in matter and thinks of the medical results of growing up in the moon's smaller gravitational pull. However, certain things feel unexplained, particularly in Section 3, such as what happens on Earth when the moon (and thus the tide) disappears. However, that same section goes to great length to explain sporting events on the moon, which drags the story down and makes my eyes glaze over. It was an interesting idea for an aside, but I would have preferred more information about the moon issue. While I understand that the loss of the moon would be catastrophic, the absence of some explanation of exactly would happen is really starkly missing in a novel that goes to such great length to explore the scientific ramifications of everything.

In addition, the drag in the third section makes the novel feel uneven - you are expecting the story arc to lead to a climax and then resolution, but it is rather anti-climactic. Much of this is because each section was originally published as a standalone short story, with its own pacing. Section 2 achieves the best standalone story arc, with characters that are dynamic and likable. However, even in that Section, the end is a bit predictable and leaves me unsatisfied because it renders much of the character growth in the story null and void.

It bears repeating that Asimov is a master, and if the goal of science fiction is to make me think about scientific possibilities then Asimov, of course, succeeds. However, as a novel, the three stories feel like less than the sum of their parts.

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