Taste is so subjective so if you don't like Asimov's stories, no reason to call him overrated.
I think today's critics focus too much on character sometimes to the detriment of the story line. I skip past the extensive physical descriptions of people, places and objects because I find them boring.
On the other hand, we can't fault a 40's author for thinking nuclear power would be a major power source in the future. After all, we are still using it today and in space.
I don't have to defend Asimov - his career and work stands for itself. But I will highlight a few things:
1. He revolutionized robot stories. Before his I,Robot stories, most robot stories were of the "Frankenstein" bent. Always running amuck and killing their creators. Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics" was a radically different approach.
2. He is credited with adding several new words to the English language including robotics, positronic and psychohistory. So the whole robotics industry is built on a word he made up.
3. He has writen what many people believe is the best science fiction short story of all time, "Nightfall," along with a ton of other excellent short stories.
His books have sold many,many copies and he has won numerous awards including multiple Hugos and Nebulas.
So while he may not be your cup of tea, he is not "overrated."
|