Books Like...

'R.U.R.' by Karel ?apek is a groundbreaking science fiction play written in 1920 that introduces the term "robot" to the world. The story revolves around Rossum's Universal Robots, artificial creatures made of a mysterious substance that behave like living beings. The play explores ethical dilemmas and societal issues arising from the mass production of these robots, leading to a dark and apocalyptic vision of the future. Through a mix of satire, social commentary, and philosophical insights, 'R.U.R.' challenges the notions of humanity, progress, and the consequences of technological advancements.

Foundation and Empire, the second book in the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, continues the saga with big ideas and central characters like Bayta and the mysterious enemy, the Mule. The plot revolves around the Foundation facing challenges from the remnants of the Galactic Empire and the unexpected foe, the Mule, who can manipulate people's emotions telepathically. The story is a mix of psychohistory predictions, charismatic leaders, and the struggle to maintain the Seldon Plan in a vast, science fiction universe.

'The Bicentennial Man' by Isaac Asimov is a collection of science fiction stories, with the titular story focusing on a robot named Andrew Martin who aspires to become more human. The book delves into the themes of artificial intelligence, humanity, and the ethical implications of creating sentient beings. Asimov's writing style is praised for its ability to make readers question the boundaries between human and machine, while also exploring complex moral dilemmas in a futuristic setting.

Joseph Schwartz, a retired tailor, is mysteriously catapulted to a mysterious world between one step and the next. The mysterious world turns out to be the Earth 50,000 years into the future. He gets caught up in the politics of Earth versus the Galactic Empire and plot and counterplot to cause or stave off a war which will result in the deaths of quadrillions. It's a cracking good yarn with deliberate echoes of the relations between the Roman Empire and the Jews in Judaea. But the parallels, while close enough for recognition, are not close enough to make the course of the story predictable or to be certain whether there is any deeper message for the early 1950s, when Asimov wrote it.

Joseph Schwartz is an ordinary man, a retired tailor in the twentieth century. He is catapulted forward in time and winds up on a devastated radioactive Earth that is so poor every inhabitant who reaches the age of sixty is euthanized. This poses quite a problem for Schwartz, as he is sixty two. Unable to speak the language due to language drift, he is taken to be mentally defective by the first people he meets, and they send him in exchange for a bribe to a scientist working on enhancing mental abilities. As a result of the experiments Schwartz becomes much more intelligent and acquires telepathic abilities. Once able to communicate, Schwartz and the reader learn that Earth is a poverty stricken backwater in a Galactic Empire. Earth is also known for its rebelliousness and is discriminated against. Schwartz then becomes involved in a plot by pro Earth fanatics to kill everyone else in the Empire with a super virus, a plot he foils. The novel ends on an up note as the Imperial Procurator of Earth agrees to try to restore the planet by bringing in uncontaminated soil. Aside from the rather odd time travel element, this is a pretty straightforward story. Some things seem implausible the ability of humans to survive on the radioactive earth the improbability of which Asimov talks about in a later added afterward , the implausibility of the plan to restore Earth and so on, but the adventure in between holds up well.

'The Stars, Like Dust' by Isaac Asimov is a science fiction novel set in a galactic empire oppressed by tyrannical rulers. The story follows the young nobleman Biron Farhill as he embarks on a galactic adventure filled with intrigue, political manipulation, and a quest for freedom. The book incorporates elements of romance, adventure, and suspense, with twists in logic and a patriotic undertone. Despite some cliched plot elements and dated aspects, the novel explores themes of rebellion, chivalry, and love in a futuristic setting.

The writing style of 'The Stars, Like Dust' is described as typical of Asimov's work, with some readers praising the large-scale socio-political themes, individual storylines, and the right balance of action and idealism. While the book may not be considered Asimov's best work, it is seen as a fun and entertaining space pulp adventure that prefigures some subplots of his renowned Foundation series. The novel is commended for its blend of suspense, betrayal, spaceships, and plot twists that engage the reader in a galactic tale of intrigue and rebellion.

'Forward the Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is a prequel to the Foundation series, chronicling the life of Hari Seldon from his famous flight through the founding of the Foundation and his death. The book covers about 30 years of Seldon's life on Trantor, as he tries to get psychohistory ready in time and establishes the first Foundation, using his granddaughter as the nucleus for the Second Foundation. The writing style is described as having short chapters and a less laborious style, with some chapters consisting almost entirely of dialogues.

Saturn's Children by Charles Stross is a post-human space opera set in a future where humanity has gone extinct, leaving behind a society of intelligent robots. The story follows Freya, a sexbot created for humans, as she navigates a world where her purpose is obsolete, encountering espionage, conspiracies, and philosophical dilemmas along the way. Stross explores themes of slavery, love, and the relationship between man and machine through a fast-paced plot filled with action and mystery.

'The Time Traveler's Almanac' edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer is a collection of 70 short stories by various sci-fi authors that revolve around the theme of time travel. The book features a mix of genres, including romance elements, non-fiction sections on concepts of time travel, and explores themes like paradoxes, mazes, traps, and messages into the past and future. The stories range from slightly scary to totally hilarious, with some offering clever twists on classic time travel questions.

The anthology presents a variety of time travel tales, from hardcore to fantastical, and includes stories by renowned authors like Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, Ursula LeGuin, and Gene Wolfe. The book is praised for its sheer volume of electrifying stories that captivate readers, making the imagination soar and inspiring budding writers and artists. While some readers find certain stories to be dull or lacking interest, the compilation is considered a must-have for any fan of convoluted tales about time loops and paradoxes.

"Tales from the White Hart" by Arthur C. Clarke is a collection of humorous science fiction stories told by a scientist named Harry Purvis at a pub called The White Hart. Each story features eccentric characters and outrageous scientific catastrophes, often with unexpected twist endings. The setting of the White Hart pub provides a unique backdrop for the tall tales, with Purvis captivating his audience with his fantastical yarns every Wednesday evening.