rossem
Finally finishing up Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy. It’s one of the best science-fiction books I’ve ever read—up there with Lewis and Herbert and Dick (I have yet to read Bradbury). The dialogue and characterizations are especially sharp and a real pleasure to read. I could make a long list of sci-fi franchises which have borrowed ideas and concepts from Asimov’s seminal work; indeed, the more I read the more I realize how the later sci-fi authors’ and directors’ main achievement was synthesizing ideas from works already published, not envisioning something new. I lose some respect for people like Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas when I learn how much they lifted from earlier work.
Without going into exhaustive detail about the general plot arc, one recent detail in the book has pleased me particularly. The names of Asimov’s characters in the book are never conventional given names like you would hear in real life. Salvor Hardin, Hober Mallow, and Ebling Mis are just a few (George Lucas mimicked this characteristic in the Star Wars universe). Recently Asimov introduced a new character: an intelligent, headstrong 14-year-old granddaughter of one of the book’s earlier heroes. Her name is Arcadia “Arkady” Darell. I can’t quite put my finger on the cause, but I love that first name: Arcadia. I told Diane about it and she loved it too. I think if we ever had another daughter “Arcadia” (or “Cady” for short, I suppose) would be on the short list for her name.
Arcadia…goes well with the other greek names. I love it. And you.