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pebbletherock's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
paperbacks_and_backpacks's review against another edition
3.0
Part of my disappointment is that this is a fix-up novel very unlike the film which had a lasting impression on me as a kid and for which I have a sense of nostalgia.
Many of the short stories read as little mysteries with the reader being given some of the basic data points and the 3 Laws of Robotics, which come into almost every story, to see if they can come up with the solution quicker than the main protagonist(?) Susan Calvin (or Donovan and Powell). It can feel like a Holmes and Watson mystery for much of it, but doesn't always drive the engagement the way Doyle does. The tone of many of the stories feels inconsistent, and characters' reactions and emotions often feel inscrutable and lacking believable motivation. This doesn't take away from the plot, usually, but is jarring to the reader.
Finally, it's hard to tell whether Asimov disapproves of robots and AI. I came into the book thinking it would lampoon technological advancement at the displacement of human beings, but by the end, if one takes Calvin as being the closest mouthpiece for Asimov, it's quite the opposite. Calvin clearly believes robots to be better than human beings and thinks the world is better left up to their decisions.
I wish I could rate this higher, but I think my expectations biased me too much against what the book actually is, and the inconsistency in it didn't help my reading experience. The best stories of the bunch are "Reason", "Lost Little Robot", and "Evidence".
Many of the short stories read as little mysteries with the reader being given some of the basic data points and the 3 Laws of Robotics, which come into almost every story, to see if they can come up with the solution quicker than the main protagonist(?) Susan Calvin (or Donovan and Powell). It can feel like a Holmes and Watson mystery for much of it, but doesn't always drive the engagement the way Doyle does. The tone of many of the stories feels inconsistent, and characters' reactions and emotions often feel inscrutable and lacking believable motivation. This doesn't take away from the plot, usually, but is jarring to the reader.
Finally, it's hard to tell whether Asimov disapproves of robots and AI. I came into the book thinking it would lampoon technological advancement at the displacement of human beings, but by the end, if one takes Calvin as being the closest mouthpiece for Asimov, it's quite the opposite. Calvin clearly believes robots to be better than human beings and thinks the world is better left up to their decisions.
I wish I could rate this higher, but I think my expectations biased me too much against what the book actually is, and the inconsistency in it didn't help my reading experience. The best stories of the bunch are "Reason", "Lost Little Robot", and "Evidence".
calamityrach's review against another edition
This story comes to a conclusion about robots that I was not at all expecting. I think I'm with Stephen Hawking when it comes to robots but Asimov gives a very interesting perspective!
dl87178324's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
darkyline's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
elizabethsuggs's review against another edition
5.0
This is a must-read! Nothing like the movie, and I think that's great.
cellardoor10's review against another edition
5.0
Really interesting reflections on the beginnings of robots, the difficulties of the three laws and their contradictions, etc. A couple of these stories have been mentioned in other Asimov series, which I always appreciate.