I, Robot
by Isaac Asimov
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Book Summary Information
Author: Isaac AsimovEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-04-29
ISBN: 055338256X
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Spectra
Book Reviews of I, Robot
Book Review: A fictional pre-history of Robotics
Summary: 4 Stars
Isaac Asimov's I Robot is a collection of nine short stories chronicling the history of robotics, as told by Susan Calvin - a robopsychologist - to an enquiring, faceless news man. The premise is merely preamble; its purpose the correlation of nine individual stories, previously published in a couple of sci-fi magazines. They feature the same recurring cast of characters, and as such reference and build upon one another.
Each individual story is entertaining, and sequentially, each introduces another aspect of robotics, or elucidates some greater point of robotic logic/reasoning. Much like the Foundation novels (and Asimov's fiction in general, I'm beginning to suspect) the stories deal with situations; problems and solutions. The great fun of reading Asimov is watching his fictional characters encounter crisis and work through them - extrapolating, deducting, improvising - whatever need be. And the solutions - besides being entertaining - are usually quite clever! It's sometimes hard to believe that one man could write so many clever stories...
Plotting aside, you can't help but fall in love with some of Asimov's characters. The "field" team of Mike Donavan and Gregory Powell are an endearing comedic duo. Susan Calvin is almost as cold and calculating as her robots, but is forced to reveal her tender, human emotions in LIAR! And the politician Stephen Byerley makes quite an impression...
Naturally, being a collection of short stories rather than a novel proper, some stories are stronger than others. RUNAROUND, REASON, LIAR, and EVIDENCE are particularly strong, well THE EVITABLE CONFLICT is a little weak, and serves more as a talking point or epilogue - much in the same way that ROBBIE serves as a whimsical introduction. Regardless, all nine stories do entertain you, and at the very least, introduce some interesting point on robotics. Highly recommended - Asimov remains an essential read to anyone with a passing interest in Science-Fiction.
Consequently, this book has almost nothing to do with the Will Smith movie of same title - save for the three laws of robotics, and character's names - so, be warned, you've been advised!
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