I’ve never read an Asimov novel before (only short stories) and I was a little intimidated by this grandfather of the science fiction genre, having heard his work was idea focused and somewhat dry. This initial novel mostly bears that description out, however it was also gripping and addicting reading. The chapters, which are short, function just like Pringles or popcorn, you sit down to have a handful or two and after a while find you’ve emptied the bowl. Asimov does seem most interested in his ideas and his sweeping narratives, his characters tend to be a bit static and one dimensional, his prose fairly Spartan and matter of fact, but this is no impediment as the ideas and narrative really do excel and shine.