I find the newer Asimovs harder to read for some reason -- I think it might be because they are more inclined to introspection that the earlier ones, but that might not be all of it. Overall I enjoyed this book, although I did find that I lost enthusiasm briefly in the middle. Overall, worth the effort though.
You can tell that Asimov was getting old at the time that he wrote this book, as he dwells extensively on the importance of living an interesting and worthwhile life, instead of necessarily a long life. Overall he makes the argument that this is what is wrong with Spacer society -- life is so long that its inconceivable to take risks early in life that might shorten that life. Later in life its too late however, as you are by then trapped in your comfortable rut. Its an interesting concept, and one which bears further consideration.
LibraryThing link for ISBN 0586062009.
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#1 Kelly Martin
I read this book about twenty years ago; I think it was one of the first Asimov novels I read, if not the first. The message about a life well-led, no matter how short, being more important than a long life, is almost too clear. However, I did not associate that at the time with Asimov's own relatively old age, probably because at the time I wasn't really aware of it.
I would recommend that you finish the entire novel arc including the tie novels he wrote; they're pretty easy to read and he does some amusing things along the way. I'd say more but I don't want to give away plot points in the later books to someone who probably hasn't read them. :)