(photo by Carl V.)
I, Robot ~Isaac Asimov
–1956, Signet (originally published 1950, Gnome Press)
–192 pages
REVIEW SUMMARY: A collection of nine short stories written by Isaac Asimov between 1940 and 1950, gathered together with a framing story, that tells of the failures, triumphs, and terrors of man’s future existence with intelligent robotic life forms.
MY RATING: 4/5 stars
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: In an interview upon the eve of her retirement from U.S. Robot and Mechanical Men, Inc, Dr. Susan Calvin, robopsychologist, reviews successes and failures from the early days of robot use up through the novel’s current time, where robots are an integral part of the fabric of our existence. Man’s fear and loathing of intelligent machines is an ever present theme leading to a few very suspenseful tales.
MY REVIEW:
PROS:
–Differences between the nine stories keeps things interesting.
–Humor interjected with the characters of Powell and Donovan
–Framing story is interesting and gives cohesion to the collection.
–A couple of page-turning, suspenseful tales carry the book.
–The 3 laws explored in a variety of interesting ways.
CONS:
–Fans of the film might be disappointed, the story is nothing like the movie that bears its name.
–A few of the nine stories are weak.
–The collection misses ending on a real strong note as the final story’s very interesting message is diminished by the story’s structure.
–Dr. Susan Calvin is not the most warm and cuddly character.
BOTTOM LINE: A seminal science fiction classic worth taking a look at.
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