Wednesday, July 09, 2008

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov


In these stories Isaac Asimov creates the Three Laws of Robotics and ushers in the Robot Age. When Earth is ruled by master-machines, when robots often seem more human than mankind, the Three Laws ensure that humans remain superior and the robots are kept in their rightful place. But an insane telepathic robot results from a production error; a robot assembled in space logically deduces its superiority to non-rational humanity; and when machines serve mankind rather than individual humans, the machine's idea of what is good for society may itself contravene the sacred Three Laws...Amazing and timeless robot stories from the greatest science fiction writer of all time.

I found this book to be really interesting. I had no idea it was a collection of short stories when I began, I don't know much about Asimov's work - but this book really sucked me in from the beginning. I was expecting to be hit over the head with the sci-finess of robots and intergalatic travel and everything that I avoid about the genre, but it wasn't like that at all. It was very accessible to read and the Three Laws and their complications turned many of the stories into mini-mysteries to be solved. I enjoyed the characters and the chronology of robot advancement. I'm left a little confused as to how I, Robot the movie was made, but whatever. It was an enjoyable and fairly quick read that I do not regret.

Will definately have to look out for Asimov's other book on the list, Foundation. Anyone read it and have thoughts about it?

3 comments:

  1. I haven't read any Asimov (yet) but this does sound very interesting.

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  2. My Husband wants to leave a comment. Here comes the bookworm!

    I read a book of short stories by him, too, and thought they were fairly good! Very.. moralising. Like Aesop's Fables with spaceships. Thoughtful, accessible without oversimplifying, I've gone back and read it once or twice, and may yet again. I did read the first one or two of the foundations series years ago, but got sidetracked, but I remember I meant to go back and get the rest. I've not read I, Robot, but now I want to. It's a bit like the Animatrix, only the source material. -Ryon

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  3. The movie has so little to do with Asimov's work, it's astounding. They pretty much turned his basic idea on its head.

    Foundation is an extremely popular series, and I definitely recommend it, especially the original trilogy. But then, I'm an Asimov fan from way back. It's not great literature, but it's a good read.

    If you're even a bit of a Star Trek fan, read Caves of Steel to find the direct inspiration for Data.

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