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.

The book won’t make the readers suffer any pains: even when its characters find themselves in an apparently hopeless situation, it’s quite clear that – by the law of the genre – everything will end well. And so it does – usually quite quickly.

Jules Verne’s ideas of what it’s like below the surface of the Earth are very fantastic (though I can’t prove that they are wrong). I don’t believe that people can ride a hurricane on a raft (however well made) and never get washed out to the sea. Our heroes even managed to save most of their belongings – how’s that for being fantastic? As for the way they travelled back to the surface, that is, perhaps, the most incredible part of the whole story – but I won’t disclose it, as I don’t wish to spoil anything. Incredible as it is, the book entertains.

It will be your friend if you need rest and relaxation.