Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarana
Have you considered the fact that it is YOUR TASTES and not the author that is the problem here? NO AUTHOR, not matter how wonderful or popular, is going to appeal to everybody. You complain of 'flat characters', but honestly, I think he did enough characterization for his main characters.
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I agree that it depends upon the reader's tastes. I disagree on the amount of characterization.
Asimov stories are mostly about what the characters are doing and there is a bit about why the characters are doing it, though the why usually fits some sort of archetype. Yet he doesn't really get into who the characters are. I think it is best to describe Asimov-the-storyteller as a writer of adventures and mysteries, with a light touch of exploring the issues that surround science/technology and society.
Now there is nothing wrong with that. Indeed, that's probably why I like Asimov. But Asimov is not compelling as literature. There are certainly SF writers who go deeper into character and plot development. There are certainly SF writers who develop their characters and plot in more nuanced way. Yet Asimov is certainly more entertaining and more optimistic than a lot of those other authors.