So, I tried to read Sci-Fi. It's a genre that I never was very interested in, but I decided to give it a try. Since Asimov is considered one of the best in the genre and since this book is considered one of his best creations, I thought "that's it". After finishing it I'm very disappointed. The beginning is interesting, it's the best part in the book, I was really enjoying the thing until I got to the alien plot(the book is divided into 3 narratives: Earth/ parallel universe/ Moon). The alien plot is full of very boring stuff, but the end is cool so it was ok. The problem is the Moon narrative, that's when you're introduced to the two most boring characters in the history of literature: Denison and Selena. The dialogue between those characters is boooring and their "romance" is boooooring. The Moon narrative(the end of the book) is simply bad, it's a book that gets worse in the end and this leaves you with a very bad taste in your mouth. I'll give 7/10 for the Earth plot, 7/10 for the alien plot and 4/10 for the Moon plot. It's really that boring.
Is Asimov overrated? Are there better Asimov books and I made an unlucky choice? Also, what are some good Sci-Fi books that I can read to forget this crap?
Andrew Bell
Dune is better, try Dune.
Jonathan Moore
Ender's Game
Liam Carter
Sci-Fi is absolute crap.
Andrew Johnson
I am very far from expert on Asimov or sci fi, but I happened to pick up his The Caves of Steel, and it's a good read. Not earth-shattering, but a solid, engaging short genre novel.
Parker Robinson
I didn't like The Gods Themselves either. I was really disappointed. But I, Robot and the Foundation trilogy are much much better.
Carson Campbell
Don't read sci-fi for characters.
And for you in particular, don't read sci-fi.
William Cox
I don't know much about sci-fi, but I really liked this. Solaris is also good, but the movie is better.
Jose Price
A lot of SF is strong on 'what if' ideas and weaker on literary excellence. Definitely the case with Asimov, whose dialogue and characterization are not his strengths. If you read more of him, the Robot novels are recommended, followed by the Foundation novels.
For highly literary SF, I recommend Stanislaw Lem. Others here will advocate Gene Wolfe. PKD would be another, although his prose is lousy, but you won't be bored. For older stuff, I like Verne's many fun adventures, moreso than Wells
Wyatt Cooper
OP here. Thank you guys for the feedback, I'll probably read the stuff you're suggesting.