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The Currents of Space

Galactic Empire, Book 2

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The Currents of Space

By: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: Jon Lindstrom
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About this listen

A nova-bright adventure and the spectacular precursor to the classic Foundation series by a founding father of science fiction.

The fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.

High above the planet Florina, the Squires of Sark live in unimaginable wealth and comfort. Down in the eternal spring of its surface, however, the native Florinians labour ceaselessly for their Sarkite masters. Rebellion is unthinkable and impossible. But now both worlds are hurtling toward a cataclysm, and only one man knows the truth; a man without a memory or a past, unaware of the secret locked inside his own brain…

Their world is doomed.

(P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Adventure Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Fiction Interstellar

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Pebble in the Sky By: Isaac Asimov

Critic reviews

‘Isaac Asimov was one of the great explainers of the age…It will never be known how many practising scientists today, in how many countries, owe their initial inspiration to a book, article, or short story by Isaac Asimov’
Carl Sagan

‘Asimov displayed one of the most dynamic imaginations in science fiction’
Daily Telegraph

‘Asimov’s career was one of the most formidable in science fiction’
The Times
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Most relevant
Amazing that a book written more than seventy years ago can still have what it takes- but it has. I first read it in the early seventies and much enjoyed listening to it today.That’s called standing the test of time !

The beginning of the story

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Currents of Space was written around the same time as the Foundation series. It is set in a period preceding the Galactic Empire, and although Trantor—the centre of the Galactic Empire of the Foundation series—figures in it, the book is an entirely standalone whodunnit.

This is classic Asimov. He introduces characters, some of whom are not what they seem, sets up a number of mysteries, leaves a few clues, adds a sprinkling of wild coincidences—without which fiction would be entirely sterile—and finally reveals all in a satisfying conclusion. The tale really owes more to Agatha Christie than Science Fiction, with very little space travel and only the occasional mention of 'hyperatomic drives', 'blasters', and 'neuronic whips' although the 'psychic probe' plays a central part.

I liked this book and it was over far too quickly. As with so much Asimov on Audible, I first read it in the early 1960s although I enjoyed the book far more this time. It is not in the absolute top rank but a most satisfying read.

A satisfying read

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Audible kept starting this book from the beginning. This is the only audio book this has ever happened with

Bugged

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Thought provoking and interesting SF ideas from a classic author supported by solid reading. I felt however that there were a number of plot holes and contradictions, and these left me frustrated.

Without giving away plot, but to give some examples, I think the power balance dynamics that underpin the story strained my credulity, and the way a key character’s background and identity is investigated by other parties seemed to miss so many obvious steps that I felt let down.

Glad I listened to it, but probably won’t relisten.

Classic but

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