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jj_ashwood's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
sam_mehdi's review
5.0
What a marvelous little story! And what a charming conversation starter. Well, what do you think, how can the net amount of entropy of the universe be massively decreased?
pacifickat's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A wonderfully satisfying sci-fi short read! I admire when form intertwines with the narrative function of a story. Or, put another way, when the type of story being told is considered in the choice of writing style.
Asimov proves he understands the magic of this method in his drafting of The Last Question. In crafting a creation myth, he utilizes repetitious language and numbered sequential time intervals, intentionally mimicking the form of the biblical Genesis account. Because of this, I was able to guess at the story's ending, and hoped this was what Asimov was playing at, long before reaching the final sentence of the story.
As is true of the best speculative fiction, The Last Question leaves the reader with a delectable sense of "what if?".
Asimov proves he understands the magic of this method in his drafting of The Last Question.
As is true of the best speculative fiction, The Last Question leaves the reader with a delectable sense of "what if?".
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol
kateri's review
5.0
5 stars
A short story about entropy and the evolution of man — it’s more captivating than it sounds.
“New stars had been built of the dust between the stars, some by natural processes, some by Man himself, and those were going, too. White dwarfs might yet be crashed together and of the mighty forces so released, new stars built, but only one star for every thousand white dwarfs destroyed, and those would come to an end, too.”
A short story about entropy and the evolution of man — it’s more captivating than it sounds.
“New stars had been built of the dust between the stars, some by natural processes, some by Man himself, and those were going, too. White dwarfs might yet be crashed together and of the mighty forces so released, new stars built, but only one star for every thousand white dwarfs destroyed, and those would come to an end, too.”
nurullahdogan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
5.0
Brilliant! What a brilliant mind Isaac Asimov has! Regarding this short story, he said "This is by far my favourite story of all those I have written." and I can see why! :)
andreasvb's review
5.0
This is just amazing in every way. The scope and execution of this short story is so Asimov.
cashinsha's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0