Foundation's Edge

Plot summary

Golan Trevize, a former naval officer and council member, believes the Second Foundation still exists and controls events, contrary to the common view that it is extinct. When he questions the Seldon Plan during a Council session, Branno arrests him for treason; she also believes the Second Foundation exists but keeps it a state secret. She orders Trevize to leave Terminus and search for the Second Foundation, accompanied by Janov Pelorat, a professor of Ancient History interested in locating Earth. They receive a highly advanced gravitic ship with a computer. Branno sends Munn Li Compor in a similar vessel to monitor them. On Trantor, Second Foundation First Speaker Quindor Shandess calls the unknown group that is manipulating the Seldon Plan the Anti-Mules, as they appear to possess powers like the Mule but use them to preserve the Plan rather than destroy it.

Reception

Kirkus Reviews described the novel as developing into grippingly effective drama after a slow start, with a talky narrative, twisty plot, engaging cast, and mellow humor, calling it a grandmasterly performance. Lee Michaels, writing for Pegasus magazine, recommended it as a must-read for Foundation trilogy fans, advising that reading the trilogy first is preferable but not essential. David Langford, reviewing for White Dwarf #39, found the 200,000-word sequel longer than the original series, with boring grey dialogue about the galaxy's fate, and argued that the trilogy is weakened by the addition, noting that the trilogy's goal of a peaceful Galactic Empire is rejected, which he saw as politically correct but converting earlier books into pointless chronicles.

Foundation's Edge won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1983 and the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 1983, and was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1982.