The Gods Themselves (1972)
The Gods Themselves is a 1972 fiction in english book written by Isaac Asimov.
In 2100 humanity enjoys limitless clean power from the Electron Pump, a device that swaps matter with a parallel universe where the laws of physics differ. Frederick Hallam is celebrated as its father, and few dare question free energy. A handful of scientists suspect the exchange is quietly destabilizing the Sun. The novel's middle section leaves Earth entirely for the para-Universe, following three alien beings, Odeen, Dua, and Tritt, who mate as a triad and sense their own world's stake in the trade. Asimov builds three linked movements around one dangerous bargain, and the aliens are his strangest, most tender creation.
Quick answers
What is The Gods Themselves about?
In 2100 humanity enjoys limitless clean power from the Electron Pump, a device that swaps matter with a parallel universe where the laws of physics differ. Frederick Hallam is celebrated as its father, and few dare question free energy. A handful of scientists suspect the exchange is quietly destabilizing the Sun. The novel's middle section leaves Earth entirely for the para-Universe, following three alien beings, Odeen, Dua, and Tritt, who mate as a triad and sense their own world's stake in the trade. Asimov builds three linked movements around one dangerous bargain, and the aliens are his strangest, most tender creation.
When was The Gods Themselves published?
The Gods Themselves was published in 1972.
Who made The Gods Themselves?
The Gods Themselves was written by Isaac Asimov.
Similar books
Explore The Gods Themselves guides
The Gods Themselves in our writing
- Companion guide: Foundation: The Complete Guide to Isaac Asimov's Galactic Empire
- Companion guide: Hard Science Fiction: The Complete Guide to Rigorous, Realistic Futures
A few thoughts on The Gods Themselves
For hard science with real stakes, try Interstellar, which sets human choices against cosmic physics. Oppenheimer shares the theme of brilliant physicists unleashing a force they cannot fully recall, and Arrival captures the strangeness of reasoning with minds that do not think the way we do.
Alien intelligence that plays by rules physics never taught us
The Gods Themselves spends its middle section entirely with Odeen, Dua and Tritt, three-part beings from a parallel universe governed by physics unlike our own. Arrival, Solaris, Interstellar and BioShock Infinite each ask readers or players to make sense of an intelligence, or a universe, that follows completely different rules.
Warnings the people in charge refuse to hear until it's too late
Only a handful of scientists in The Gods Themselves suspect the Electron Pump is dangerous, and Hallam's fame makes them nearly impossible to hear. The Dark Knight Returns, War of the Worlds, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Witch & Wizard all show authorities dismissing a threat right up until it stops being deniable.