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I, Robot

Book 1 in the series:Robot

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'I, Robot' by Isaac Asimov is a collection of interconnected short stories exploring the development of robotics and the implications of the Three Laws of Robotics. The narratives delve into the relationships between humans and robots, touching on philosophical conundrums, logical puzzles, and ethical dilemmas presented by artificial intelligence. Asimov's writing style weaves together thought-provoking scenarios and clever twists, creating a futuristic world where robots challenge human morality and ingenuity.

The book is structured around the memories of characters like Dr. Susan Calvin, providing a retrospective look at the history of robotics and the evolution of intelligent machines. Through a series of engaging vignettes, readers are introduced to a variety of robot characters, each facing unique challenges that test the boundaries of Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. Asimov's storytelling skill shines as he navigates complex themes of technology, humanity, and the consequences of advancing artificial intelligence in a captivating and intellectually stimulating manner.

Characters:

Characters in the book serve more as representations of ideas and conflicts rather than fully developed individuals, with Dr. Calvin being a key figure.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is functional and straightforward, emphasizing clarity and logic over artistic prose or character depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around interconnected stories that examine the relationship between humans and robots, focusing on the complexities introduced by Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.

Setting:

The setting is a near-future Earth where robots play significant roles in society, reflecting both technological advancement and ethical concerns.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven across the collection, with a mix of quick and slower narratives that allow for manageable reading.
‘Ninety-eight – ninety-nine – one hundred.’ Gloria withdrew her chubby little forearm from before her eyes and stood for a moment, wrinkling her nose and blinking in the sunlight. Then, trying to watc...

Notes:

I, Robot was Isaac Asimov's first short story collection, published in 1950.
The book features nine interconnected stories originally published in science fiction magazines.
Asimov did not choose the title I, Robot; it was given by the publisher.
The book introduces the famous Three Laws of Robotics: 1. A robot may not injure a human being 2. A robot must obey human orders 3. A robot must protect its own existence.
The main character, Dr. Susan Calvin, is a robopsychologist looking back on her career.
The stories explore various ethical and moral dilemmas involving robots and humans.
Each story highlights the unintended consequences of the Three Laws.
The book was first published by Gnome Press, which also published the Foundation trilogy.
Asimov's robots are often portrayed as benevolent and well-meaning rather than antagonistic.
Robbie, the first story, features a robot nursemaid and addresses the First Law in a personal context.
Liar is known for featuring a robot that can read minds, challenging the implications of truth and deception.
The Evitable Conflict, the final story, deals with economic management by robots who are programmed to ensure human welfare.
I, Robot has influenced countless works of science fiction, solidifying Asimov's legacy as a pioneer in the field.

From The Publisher:

This classic science fiction masterwork by Isaac Asimov weaves stories about robots, humanity, and the deep questions of existence into a novel of shocking intelligence and heart.

"A must-read for science-fiction buffs and literature enjoyers alike."-The Guardian

I, Robot, the first and most widely read book in Asimov's Robot series, forever changed the world's perception of artificial intelligence. Here are stories of robots gone mad, of mind-reading robots, and robots with a sense of humor. Of robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world-all told with the dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction that has become Asimov's trademark.

The Three Laws of Robotics:

1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

With these three, simple directives, Isaac Asimov formulated the laws governing robots' behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot from its primitive origins in the present to its ultimate perfection in the not-so-distant future-a future in which humanity itself may be rendered obsolete.

"Tremendously exciting and entertaining . . . Asimov dramatizes an interesting question: How can we live with machines that, generation by generation, grow more intelligent than their creators and not eventually clash with our own invention?"-The Chicago Tribune

Ratings (93)

Incredible (18)
Loved It (41)
Liked It (25)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (151):

Read It (99)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (35)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (13)

6 comment(s)

Loved It
2 days

This is a really interesting book but just don't go into it thinking it has anything remotely to do with the movie. The book is made up of short related stories that tend to be more intellectual than action based. The main qualm I have with the book is the idea that most later authors have that Asimov's laws of robotics are an actual thing that governs robotics not just a concept he created for the purpose of the plot of this book.

 
Loved It
1 month

cheesy at some points but always pulled me back in with really great plot twists. ominous without crossing into the eerie. very different from the movie in all the best ways.

 
It Was OK
3 months

This book was okay. I can see how it was important from a historical, birth-of-science-fiction sort of way. However, it still felt pretty dated to me, and it was obvious the author was writing from the 1950's. It was hard for me to get really into the story and I thought at times it was a bit preachy, trying too hard to be philosophical.

 
Loved It
5 months

Short, yet brilliant is how I would describe I, Robot. This is my first foray into the works of Isaac Asimov, and I must say that I haven't been disappointed in the least. From beginning to end, this book was a fascinating study on the humanity of machines, and the evolution of the human race. You can tell from the language and slang used in this book that it was published long ago, but the story itself is ageless.

Asimov did an incredible job of creating characters that the reader would immediately care about, despite only knowing them for a short while. My personal favorites were Powell and Donovan, a preference that I'm sure is shared by many others.

I've already put a hold on The Caves of Steel, and I look forward to seeing where this story goes.

 
Loved It
6 months

great ideas

 
Incredible
7 months

Many years ago I saw the movie based on this book, and although I don't remember the details at all, I do remember that I liked it. I'm not a huge science fiction fan. To tell the truth, I very rarely read books in this genre, but I don't mind a story like this from time to time. But I don't read short stories at all. The short form usually does not work for me at all and I consciously avoid it.

But in this case, it all really worked together brilliantly. Each story had meaning and its own plot. And it led to a climax that was intriguing enough to keep me wanting to read on. And at the same time, all the stories together created a really coherent storyline that showed the development of robotics. Subsequent stories allowed us to see how man pushed the boundaries that previously seemed absolutely impossible to cross. I think the short stories worked really well together in that regard.

What surprised me was that the author did not focus on the science fiction part, but on more human side and moral dilemmas. It's kind of scary how credible are the decisions people have been making when it comes to the psychology of robots and their use. At the same time, the author resigns from showing us obvious solutions, or even most of his beliefs. He leaves readers to see the problems for themselves. And the short form of the stories allows us to see the full picture, which sometimes the characters of these stories do not see.

This is my first book by this author, but it definitely made me want to read his other works. I think he has a real knack for telling good stories in a very skillful way. He can also draw expressive and multidimensional characters in a few sentences. At the same time, he avoids writing about many things directly and allows the reader to understand what is going on for himself, which I personally really like.

 

About the Author:

Isaac Asimov began his Foundation series at the age of twenty-one, not realizing that it would one day be considered a cornerstone of science fiction. During his legendary career, Asimov penned more than 470 books on subjects ranging from science to…

 
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