Nightfall - Isaac Asimov

Advantages: one of the most iconic stories of the genre ever written
Disadvantages: excelnt, but nowhere as great as the original short story

This is one of Asimov's best ever tales, and is based upon a short story he wrote by the same name. That short story was to be one of the most famous and influential short stories of the genre for all time, actually being named as the best science fiction short story ever written. The original short story was written in 1941, and appeared in the September issue of Campbell's Astounding Science Fiction magazine.We have more than just that to thank ...
...quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson to Asimov one day. The quote was, " If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God! " Asimov's response was very apt. What we get in the short story (and the expanded novel version), is a tale of a world that is ringed by multiple suns, so that at no time is it ever in natural darkness. Various professionals ... Read review

Advantages: Makes you think
Disadvantages: Perhaps should have been left in original short story format

I must begin by saying I am not a great fan of sci-fi work but I still list this as one of the best books I've ever read. It takes a simple idea of a planet with more than one sun, enough in fact that there is always some form of natural light, by it from all or just one of their suns. Then we consider what happens if the people of this planet were to suffer a total eclipse. The story follows the faculty of a university coming to terms with what ...
...with charcters who only add to the story, none of whom steal the show, it is certainly idea driven rather than character driven. I found it difficult to put this down and once I had finished it, it has stayed with me a long time. I have read it several times since and have found it to be a wonderful book in which I have found something new each time. ... Read review