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Editorial Review Product Description
A gripping tale of high adventure, action, and mystery, Nemesis is Grand Master Isaac Asimov at his best--and destined to become a classic for many years to come. ... Read more Customer Reviews (52) 
What One Might Expect From America's Greatest Science Fiction Writer
Issac Asimov's Nemesis follows the same archetype of much of his work. His writing has a distinct and definite, style and form. It's science fiction, yes, but science fiction centered around two things; people and situations. Asimov will introduce a problem, and have his characters try to solve the problem, so often what your left with in an Asimov novel is not the drama of petty, interpersonal affairs (although there is some of that to round out the characters) but the drama which arises when different people argue different views on the best way to solve problems of macro proportions. Asimov was not a great writer of prose; his aim was to write as clearly and concisely as possible, and therefore, reading an Asimov novel is often an easy, enjoyable read, this one being no exception. If your a fan of Asimov's fiction, you'll definitely enjoy this one, but if you've never read any Asimov, I'd suggest starting with something like the Foundation series, to get you "hooked" - although this is a fine standalone novel.
And of course, there is a subtle bit of philosophy in there - always a plus when reading Asimov.
Imaginative scientific speculation about space travel; weak characterization.
Many or most Asimov fans consider "Nemesis" to be one of Asimov's weaker efforts, and I am very much inclined to agree with this assessment.The characters in this novel have a peculiar one-dimensional feel to them, even for Asimov characters (which are rarely particularly memorable, albeit he has produced an Elijah Bailey).Marlene, Fisher, Wendel are all eminently forgettable, and as always, even Asimov's villains are not particularly villainous in this novel.For all that, this one is at least readable--as always Asimov's prose is pretty good and he does weave a story that captures the reader's interest.
Asimov's speculations about Marlene's perceptiveness and the nature of the organism on the Planet Erythro are remarkably unconvincing, and in the end, irritatingly implausible.Similarly, the notion that the most progressive elements of mankind would be the inhabitants of space stations struck me as farfetched, albeit interesting.
What almost redeems this one is Asimov's speculation about faster-than-light space travel, and the other scientific controversies contained in this novel.Asimov is at his best when speculating about future scientific discoveries, and that is the best part of this novel.
I bought this novel in Kindle format.Don't ask me why I could not find it on Amazon when it was time to review it.Anyway, the Kindle formatting is good, with only the occasional misspelled word.
Asimov fans (I am an enthusiastic fan myself) will enjoy this flawed but readable novel.RJB.
Man never learns ...
Nemesis. Interesting name for this book and for the star which is given that name. Not knowledgeable about Greek mythology (or any other kind), I resorted to Wikipedia:
"The word Nemesis originally meant the distributor of fortune, neither good nor bad, simply in due proportion to each according to his deserts; then, nemesis came to suggest the resentment caused by any disturbance of this right proportion, the sense of justice which could not allow it to pass unpunished."
In this story of how an accidental discovery of another possibly life-giving star led a small group of Settlers - Earth near-space colony residents - to use a technology they had developed to allow close to faster-than-light speed to leave the solar system. This particular Settlement named Rotor did this stealthily because they wanted to escape the horrible existence that Earth had come to represent. It would take them a few years to reach this newly discovered star - a Red Dwarf - that was half the distance to Alpha Centauri which, at that time, was considered the next closet star. They knew that Earth would eventually extend its tendrils but hoped by the time that Earth had also discovered Nemesis and developed the technology to travel as fast, that they would be prepared to deflect any onslaught.
They were correct. However, the only planet supported by Nemesis, named Mega, is actually a gas-giant, but it's moon, Erythro, looks habitable.The book is about the way man decides to handle overcrowding. The result of space colonization is entrenched discrimination usually associated with race and/or other genetic characteristics. Each colony becomes very closed both as a society and in physical reality as the colonies are actually man-made stations. Settlers learn to live within walls - both mental and physical. In addition, because the settlements are safe and free of poverty and crime, they also have all the brain power. Earth is becoming the slums of humanity.Although these issues are never directly faced much less solved in the book, they do form the entire basis for why this movement out of the solar system was begun.
Unfortunately, along the way to Nemesis, the astronomer who discovered it, also discovered that it was moving. Nemesis was on a collision course with Earth's own sun - or at least would pass so closely that the resulting disturbances would, literally, kill the planet. Rotor's chief executive, Janus Pitt, doesn't care. He isn't going to warn Earth because Rotor would be far away and safe. In fact, it is then that the name Nemesis starts to earn its reputation - it will be the avenger for the depravity of man.Pitt just wants a place where Rotarians can be isolated and can develop the perfect society.
Ultimately those on Earth do discover both Nemesis and their impending doom. They develop true faster than light speed and a small ship takes off after Rotor. The reason, by the time this technology was developed, that they headed that way was to force proof to humanity that it was possible for such travel. Evacuating the billions on Earth to avoid disaster would require that those billions know that space had a place waiting for them. There were also retribution intentions but, as this story takes place over a time span of 15 year, that purpose died with those who held it.
Then there is Erythro itself. Barren except for microorganisms and unwelcoming due to the pink light so different and more diffuse than Earth's sun, the Rotarians built only one observation and drilling site fully enclosed in a Dome. All this is discovered by the reader via the trials and tribulations of a 15 year old girl named Marlene.
She has never "belonged' on Rotor even though she was born there. She has an almost mystical ability to read people via their expressions and mannerisms. She is not empathic - just extremely observant. Her own mother is uncomfortable around her. However, Marlene is drawn compulsively to get to Erythro. Political machinations and personal disgust by Pitt for Marlene, ultimately makes that happen. Marlene is the only human who has been able to handle the planet - others, when exposed outside the Dome, fell victim to a "plague." Come to find out this was just the result of the microorganisms' attempt to read the brains of these intruders to Erythro's domain. An accident. However, Marlene has a perfect 'brain" and can handle the communication.
When the Earthlings, including Marlene's father, finally get to Erythro, this communication method enables Erythro's 'people' to explain how Earth can avoid disaster. A happy ending... right? Well...
I really enjoyed this read. The summary and review was difficult to write because, frankly, bless her heart, Marlene was never the focus of the story - she was just a tool used to reveal the various anxieties and issues Pitt was managing.The "love stories" are only to make more readable the scenarios of possible elimination of mankind. Earth is saved from destruction by Nemesis but, as Pitt fears, that just means that Earth will spread its degeneration even further outside its own celestial borders.
Not such a happy ending after all
If it's called Nemesis, it better well be that!
This is the very first Asimov book I have ever read and perhaps it was not the greatest choice out of the hundreds he has written in his lifetime. Although it was a fairly decent story the ending was a bit too neat and tidy to live up to its name. With a title like 'Nemesis' it better be that. Unfortunately for me, I felt like the entire book was a build-up of nothing and quite a slow progression of effects. Although it was written well I found myself thinking if 'he did this...' or if 'he did that...' it would be a better tale. Also, I was strikingly surprised by the amount of detail left out with...well...everything. It was like reading a script for a film where all you need to pay attention to is the dialogue. Regardless, I liked the writing and the concept even if the ending fell back into a neat little description of just who and what is a Nemesis. I'm sure I will pick up another Asimov book eventually, just not anytime soon.
One of Asimov's best
In the 23rd century pioneers have escaped over crowded Earth. One of the colonies, Rotor, has broken away from the solar system to create its own renegade utopia orbiting an unknown red star.
15 year old Marlene is drawn to the planet orbiting the red star - and the incredible secret the planet holds.
I won't reveal too much of its content. I loved the discoveries Marlene made, regarding herself, the conspiracy and most of all the alien planet. An unforgettable book.
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