Gold (Asimov short story)
Encyclopedia
Gold is a short story
by Isaac Asimov
, originally appearing in the September 1991 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact
and collected in the eponymous volume Gold
. It was one of the last short stories he wrote in his life, and is considered by some to be his last significant piece of writing. It won a Hugo Award
for best Novelette
in 1992.
to create a "compu-drama" from the second section of his novel The Gods Themselves
. The story attributes this middle portion to an author named Gregory Laborian, saying it is a stand-alone novel entitled Three In One. Laborian convinces director Jonas Willard, who had won fame for a CGI
version of King Lear
, to create an animated version of Laborian's story. Besides demonstrating Asimov's admiration for William Shakespeare
's plays, Gold may be taken as a response to criticisms of Asimov's non-visual writing style.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
, originally appearing in the September 1991 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
and collected in the eponymous volume Gold
Gold (Asimov)
Gold: The Final Science Fiction Collection is a collection of Isaac Asimov's stories and essays. The stories, which comprise its first half, are short pieces which had remained uncollected at the time of Asimov's death. As such, they have been criticized by some as inept or below par—what the...
. It was one of the last short stories he wrote in his life, and is considered by some to be his last significant piece of writing. It won a Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
for best Novelette
Hugo Award for Best Novelette
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
in 1992.
Plot summary
The story describes the efforts of fictional computer animatorsComputer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
to create a "compu-drama" from the second section of his novel The Gods Themselves
The Gods Themselves
The Gods Themselves is a 1972 science fiction novel written by Isaac Asimov. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972, and the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1973....
. The story attributes this middle portion to an author named Gregory Laborian, saying it is a stand-alone novel entitled Three In One. Laborian convinces director Jonas Willard, who had won fame for a CGI
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
version of King Lear
King Lear
King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological...
, to create an animated version of Laborian's story. Besides demonstrating Asimov's admiration for William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's plays, Gold may be taken as a response to criticisms of Asimov's non-visual writing style.
External links
- Gold at BestScienceFictionStories.com - short story reviews and resources.