The Gods ThemselvesThe Gods Themselves
Score Classic
What it's about
In the twenty-second century, a scientist discovers that a sample of tungsten has turned into a substance that can't exist in our universe. It leads to the Electron Pump, a source of free, limitless energy that works by trading matter with a parallel universe, where very different beings are running a pump of their own. Only a few people on either side realize that the pump might destroy the sun.
Why it's worth reading
It won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. Its middle section, set in the parallel universe among aliens with three sexes, is often called Asimov's finest writing.
You'll love it if you liked
Rendezvous with Rama
The Left Hand of DarknessGood to know
It's in three parts, each quite different. The first is mostly about scientific rivalry.
By the numbers
- Readers59 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller28 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #48 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #163 of the 762 classics we rank
- #513 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Thought-provoking
More by Isaac Asimov
Foundation
The Robots of Dawn
I, RobotIf you like this, read next
The Lord of the Rings
Ficciones
Ubik
Startide Rising
Tales of Edgar Allan Poe
The Shadow of the TorturerExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Gods Themselves worth reading?
Yes. It won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. It ranks #513 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 78.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Gods Themselves about?
In the twenty-second century, a scientist discovers that a sample of tungsten has turned into a substance that can't exist in our universe. It leads to the Electron Pump, a source of free, limitless energy that works by trading matter with a parallel universe, where very different beings are running a pump of their own. Only a few people on either side realize that the pump might destroy the sun.
How long does it take to read The Gods Themselves?
About 7 hours (288 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Gods Themselves won?
Hugo Award winner (1973); Nebula Award winner (1972).
What should I read after The Gods Themselves?
If you liked it, try Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke or The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.