Foundation's Edge

Although we here at the blog were hesitant about continuing the later novels in the Foundation series, Foundation's Edge was not that bad. While perhaps unnecessarily longer than it needed to be, some of the additional length in the narrative and the changes in late Asimov's style are provocative, raising questions about how an older Asimov viewed the world and the question of science fiction in depicting some of the timeless problems of humanity: political division, ideological conflict, competition, and violence. It was still for the most part, a suspenseful tale of intrigue, galactic conspiracies and conflict, and continued backstory for the Foundation universe. Stylistically, it follows the similar pattern of his earlier installments, switching back and forth between various characters to advance the plot. Asimov also took the bold move of trying to connect his Robots series into the same universe, even adding the time traveling organization Eternity to connect all of these works in the same fictional world and provide an explanation for the origin of mentalics.

Sometimes, unfortunately, the narrative is dragged along by often unnecessary dialogue and exposition on various topics rather than direct actions or Seldon Crises to advance the plot forward. Nevertheless, Foundation's Edge gives the fans more details and adventures in the Seldon Plan, while also connecting various dots in his other works and the elusive Earth, the original home of humanity. One cannot help but smile when thinking about late Imperial archaeological fascination about the possible original planet, and then to see centuries later, an obscure Foundation historian obsessed with the quest for Earth. Nor can one not express some interest in technological developments with gravitics and shields developed by the First Foundation against mentalics. The world-building is fantastic, drawing the reader into this setting. One learns more about the Galaxy 500 years after Seldon first initiated the Foundation, seeing how the First Foundation has become the dominant force yet cannot subdue the Sayshell Union (who seem to be descendants of ancient humans who may be of Indian origin, if their names and dark skin are any reliable indicator). 

After 500 years in this epic, one would expect technological change to arise and perceive the lack of unity in physical sciences and mentalics, represented by the two Foundations, as part of the problem. How does one reconcile two distinct branches of knowledge that are both truly necessary for running a society? And what political form should it take? By the novel's conclusion, the protagonist, Trevize, is asked to decide between 3 possible options, with the third represented by an unknown entity that has been influencing from behind the scenes. Does one believe group-consciousness, uniting people, animals, plants, and inanimate objects to create a truly living Galaxy, is the solution? Or outright force by the First Foundation to establish the Second Galactic Empire after only 500 years of the Plan? Or can one trust the Second Foundation to guide and influence from behind the scenes, after the full millennium, to oversee a great Second Empire? As a rationalist, like Asimov, Trevize chooses the option which allows for the maximum chance of later correction. In spite of its flaws, and the problematic creative choices made by Asimov to connect the Robots series with Foundation, Trevize's quest of galactic proportions cannot disappoint.