Review of Pebble in the Sky
by Emily Stewart

Pebble in the Sky was originally written in 1949 and published in 1950, making it eligible for a 'retro' Hugo this year. Though a fine stand alone novel, it is the first of several books in the "Empire" series that preludes the "Foundation" series.

In 1949, not long after the Second World War, the future seemed full of potential to have several nuclear wars in store for it. The future world that exists in the story is based around the idea that large parts of the earth are so excessively radioactive as to make them inhabitable. Asimov's world is still possible, but it would more likely be the result of under-regulated utility companies and their irresponsible waste disposal and poorly maintained nuclear facilities. As a worker in the electrical industry and a former Northern States Power employee my experience has shown me that power company executives should not be limited by only strict public regulation, but should also be kept in small cages and occasionally fed scraps of highly irradiated meat. But, I digress...

In the story, retired tailor Joseph Schwartz disappears from 1949 Chicago as the result of a chemistry experiment gone awry. The world of the future that Mr. Schwartz lands in is one in which earth natives are seen as second class humans and the idea that humanity began on Earth is a vulgar thought for most galactic citizens to consider.

The characters are well developed and very substantive. Bel Arvardan is an archeologist from Sirius who grapples with his own bigotry of earth people and his uncomfortableness with "Earthies", Dr. Shekt is an Earth scientist seeking moral definition in his few remaining years, Pola is his adult daughter who also works with her father and becomes romantically involved with Bel Arvardan.

At the center of the story is a 'Synapsifier', invented by Dr. Shekt, that allows the main character a somewhat omnipotent perspective on the events that unfold in the story. As an unaware volunteer, Joseph Schwartz's mental acuity is enhanced to gain him the ability to learn more quickly and eventually gain awareness of the thoughts of those around him. His early role as a tool progresses along with his intellectual ability. The author uses the story as an allegory of contemporary racism. Bel Arvardan is a man who considers himself unprejudiced against Earthmen but must overcome at least some of his hidden prejudices for the story to advance successfully.

...For instance, if an Earthman had ever wished to join an expedition of his or work for him in any capacity - and had the training and the ability - he would be accepted. If there was an opening for him, that was. And if the other members of the expedition didn't mind too much. That was the rub. Usually the fellow workers objected, and then what could you do?

He pondered the matter. Now certainly he would have no objection to be eating with an Earthman, or even bunking with one in case of need - assuming the Earthman were reasonably clean, and healthy. In fact, he would in all ways treat him as he would treat anyone else, he thought. Yet there was no denying that he would always be conscious of the fact that an Earthman was an Earthman. He couldn't help that. That was the result of a childhood immersed in an atmosphere of bigotry so complete that it was almost invisible, so entire that you accepted its axioms as second nature. Then you left it and saw it for what it was when you looked back.

Pebble in the Sky is a good story and well worth the read. It has aged well and is a good example of future possibility and interpretation of the present that hard science fiction has become well known and sought after for. Specifically, this book is a fine example of the positive outlook that was consistent in 1950s science fiction and in Asimov's work.