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[starreview]
Classification: Future Reality
Eternity is a futuristic organization whose goal is maintaining a stable yet prosperous society by altering various timelines in a very precise, scientific, manner [this is a recurring theme in Asimov’s novels when one considers the Foundation series]. Spanning many millennia – from the 27th century to the 70,000th century – Eternity exists out of time: all eternals, as the employees of Eternity are called, reside in their own separate environment, a necessary condition so that they would not accidentally affect the timeline they observe.
Andrew Harlan, originally recruited from the 95th century, works as a technician for Eternity. His job consists of monitoring society in a range of several centuries; if he discovers something wrong (as per Eternity’s specifications), he steps in and ‘corrects’ it using Minimum Necessary Change, as it is called, to achieve the desired change in the timeline. One day, against his better judgment, and despite the fact it is forbidden, Andrew finds himself falling in love with a woman of residing in the societies he observes and must correct. Unwilling to let her be ‘erased’ when her timeline is changed, and fully understanding the gravity of this actions, Andrew becomes determined to save her. This, however, may have such wide ranging repercussions that Eternity itself is toppled.
The End of Eternity is not just one of the best Time Travel books – it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, and can be considered one of the great classics of Science Fiction. Asimov, being the grandmaster that he is, has created a fascinating and imaginative futuristic society. Written in his usual terse style, which personally I find appealing, The End of Eternity is a joy to read.
Asimov tackles some interesting philosophical questions, such as the delicate balance between refining what society has, and the need to take risks and explore new grounds. Furthermore, he skillfully addresses many of the questions that result from time travel: suppose we obtain a log from the future which contains a record of a someone performing a task; what does this really mean: can we rely on future history to tell us what the man is going to do, or does it merely indicate that the author of the log believed the man did what is ascribed to him? These are subtle issues, not often mentioned in a sub-genre that, in many ways, is dedicated to them. This is what makes the book not just a great novel, but a timeless classic.
In summary, this is a book that should not be missed. Science Fiction at its very best!
Link to the book’s details on Amazon.com
If you’ve read this book, please vote below:
I am sorry but I have to disagree with your endorsement of this book. This is not one of Asimov’s better novels. Having not yet published a novel myself, I do not stand as an expert on the constructing of such work. However, that said, I have read enough of Isaac’s work, through all periods of his life, to know what is and is not a good Asimov novel, and this is not one.
In the first place, the characters are not memorable. Even Andrew Harlan, the story’s main character, is uninteresting. Exactly why he does what he does is less than clear, and why he falls for Noys, a driving force in the story, is ignored by the author. The key questions are finally answered in the last two or three pages of the novel, and then there is no time to digest the information so you do not care. Time, forgive me, goes on and you are left wondering why you plowed through this story rather than taking up needlework of finishing a jigsaw puzzle. Either of which would have been more productive than navigating to the “End of Eternity.â€
Lacey, this is great! One of the main reasons I created this website was to get various opinions (and feedback), even if they differ from my own.
I do know that End of Eternity is considered by many to be one of Asimov’s classics (some even call it its best book). I definitely rank it at the same level of the Foundation Series and The Gods Themselves.
Chronos,
I have heard that all my adult life and have never understood it. I have heard “Eternity” praised by intelligent people whose opinions I respect. People like yourself who are not just rabid fans and eat anything scifi.
It must be like a food taste. Something about the book just turns sour in my mouth. It does not gel with my biochemistry.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Lacey! I appreciate the kind words.
I do think it’s a matter of taste, and I have my own equivalent. Although Orson Scott Card’s ‘Ender’s Game’ is a superb novel, I absolutely abhor the sequel, ‘Speaker for the Dead’. I will never understand why it won both a Hugo and a Nebula. Guess it’s a matter of (collective) personal taste…