“The Stars, Like Dust” by Isaac Asimov

In this relatively short sci-fi novel the reader will find everything: interstellar jumps and unknown planets, friendship and treachery, love and hate. Brave rebels will fight ruthless dictators, a brilliant mind will solve complicated mysteries and friends will turn into enemies. What will never be found in this book is a single mention of three Laws of Robotics or a single robot, even the simplest of them. This book is not about robotics.

Once again Isaac Asimov has merged the genres of sci-fi and a detective story. He was a master at that. The brilliant mind’s name in this case is Biron Farrill.

Biron is a youth of noble origins, a heir to the throne of no less than a planet. Unfortunately, his father is a known leader of a rebellion just convicted and executed by cruel Tyrannians, who control every planet in this sector of the Galaxy. Biron can forget about the throne; his main task is to save his life. To achieve this he travels through light years, and his excellent ability to reason and analyze saves him more than once from Tyrannian pursuit and murderous treachery of supposed friends. He survives when everything seems hopeless, gains support of an enemy – against all odds – and even marries the girl he loves.

“The Stars, Like Dust” stands out among Asimov’s books I’ve read. Even the language is different: the book about our very distant future sounds more like a legend of the past. There’s less schience fiction as such in it than is usually seen in Asimov’s books – but more psychology and a more clearly outlined social aspect. The characters are more carefully drawn, less perfect – even the amazing Biron, though as clever as Lucky Starr, has little of his coolness. He can show perfect self-control when circumstances require it, but otherwise he shows emotions readily. He rages, rebels, accuses, he has his fits of temper – and he loves, too. I could never imagine Lucky Starr falling in love with anyone – not in a million years.

Biron’s sweetheart, Artemisia, has even more temper – no wonder they quarrel all the time. Their married life promises to be rather interesting

But it’s because they are so real they are so dear to me, I think. One seldom loves perfection.