(Cover illustration for Second Foundation, by artist Michael Whelan)
“It is difficult to describe the sheer joy of finally being able to read a book whose cover has fascinated me for years. It is even more significant considering that it is part of an original trilogy of books that from my childhood I have viewed as inaccessible. It has been such a pleasure to discover just how unfounded my fears were.”
~from my January 2008 review of Second Foundation
For the month of December I am writing a daily post on Facebook in which I share a work of science fiction or fantasy art with which I have made a connection. On December 2nd I shared this Michael Whelan painting, and my urge to read Second Foundation again was so strong that I turned to my bookshelf, grabbed a copy, and started reading. One day removed I have closed the book feeling every bit as taken with the story as when I read it in 2008…and again as a group read in 2012.
The opening quote is from the beginning of my initial review of Second Foundation in 2008. I had just devoured the Foundation trilogy within a few short days and I was over the moon about it, telling everyone that they should give it a try. I enjoyed the trilogy the second time through, though in analyzing it as a group read I was more aware of the faults of age. This third time through the old pleasure returned and I could not put it down.
Isaac Asimov is certainly one of those authors whose works can often be criticized for either a significant lack of female characters, or an arguably sexist view of female characters. In Foundation and Empire and then Second Foundation, he demonstrated that he could write interesting female characters who took a prominent role in the events that played out. It is a shame he didn’t continue this trend in all the books he wrote.
I won’t write much more given that you can read my original review, which accurately reflects me feelings on the novel. What I will say is that I enjoy the fact that the passage of time allows for little, and sometimes large, details of a story to drift away. While I remembered where the story would end up, the nuances of how it got there escaped me and thus I was experiencing revelations anew as I read. The whole cat and mouse game of the two Foundations, and the ever-growing paranoia about who may or may not be under the mind control of the Second Foundation, builds until the very last sentence. I found myself smiling at the reveal that I should have remembered, and was glad that I had not.
I’m pleased that I was able to enjoy Second Foundation again, and all because I was inspired by art.
I picked up a combined book of the entire trilogy once and made it about halfway through the second book. I think I should try again with each individual book, since it will be less daunting! Thanks for the reminder. š
I’m a big fan of smaller books, and don’t enjoy these massive tomes that are released today. Even when I ultimately love the story, I hate the length in one volume. Though it is just psychological, I would much rather read something like this broken up than in one large volume.
Such a gorgeous cover. Definitely one that would inspire you to read the book. I know I’ve read this, but I cannot for the life of me remember it. Must be time to look at it again. š
What is nice about it is that, having read the series twice, I can remember enough of the basic elements to be able to jump right into the third book again and not feel like I have to play catch up.
Hi Carl,
I read the original three Foundation books years age when I joined the mail order “Science Fiction Book Club”. (Are they still around?) I immensely enjoyed the series, although as you did, I have forgotten most of the details.
I have a fuzzy memory of a fourth volume coming out several years later (Foundations Edge?). I did pick it up and read it. There was a gap of at least 10 years between reading that book and the first three, but like you said, enough memory of the original story remained for me to be able to just pick it up and read it. While I remember enjoying it, I don’t remember the plot, except that it involved a search for the members of the Foundation (only rumored to still be in existence), and a character called “the Mule”, who was disrupting the and the Seldon Plan.
Thanks for your post – it stirs up pleasant memories.
It is funny that you mention the mail order book club, because at the end of my copy of Second Foundation is one of those tear out coupons where you can order more Asimov books directly from “Ballantine Mail Sales”. I was reflecting on how different things are now with internet sales. I was also wondering what might happen if I stuck a few bucks in an envelope and sent the coupon to the address listed. š
Foundation’s Edge is the 4th book in the series, but The Mule is actually the character in the latter half of the second book, Foundation and Empire, and the first part of this novel, Second Foundation.
I like having memories like this stirred too. I’m planning on going forward with Foundation’s Edge now, while this is all fresh in my mind.
When I read THE FOUNDATION TRILOGY as a kid, I was blown away. The whole concept of psychohistory was original and compelling. And I was astonished by the Mule who upset the calculations! Reading SECOND FOUNDATION was bittersweet because I knew the series was ending (of course, I didn’t know that Asimov would add a couple more volumes decades later). And I really love that Michael Whelan cover, too!
I ordered the print of it when Michael Whelan brought it out of the archives on Cyber Monday and had a good sale going. I got an email from his daughter yesterday that he is tweaking the colors on the printing to get it the way he wants it and then will be sending to the printer again. I bought and framed one of his prints for Christmas for myself last year, and thought it was a great idea to do again this year.
Carl, you’re building a great collection of artwork! A Whelan print will generate a lot of conversation! A wise investment! And fun!
Thanks George. I wish I was in that financial range of being able to buy a Whelan original!