Litsy

Sea of Rust | C. Robert Cargill

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I loved this. Instantly hooked. Lots of big ideas about AI wrapped in a propulsive story with characters you get invested in. A new to me author I looked up after reading his short story in The End of The World as We Know It.

48 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Caves of Steel | Isaac Asimov

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Okay, I fucking LOVED this. WHY has it taken me so long to read Asimov?! Why do I have to go through interlibrary loan to get these? Are they really so far from popularity that my library system can't justify shelf space, or is it that everyone else is more clued in than I and has already read it/bought it and doesn't need to borrow it from the library? 🤦🏼‍♂️ 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? In any case, sign me up for more top tier sci-fi murder mystery where I'm not sure if I had more fun with the debates around the pros and cons of robots in relation to human progression, the nature and perception of humanity, the bandied possible relative superiorities between robots and humanity, the possible sensible futures for a resource-strapped earth, or the twisty whodunit. 2w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? We've discussed how gullible I am, I can't vouch for any other reader having the same last minute discovery of the reveal, but from just the sci-fi side, the discussion of a future earth with the hot button topic of robots is endlessly fascinating.
Also, the mindsets. 2w

Robotswithpersonality 4/? The gradual progression of the protagonist, who very obviously has a somewhat understandable, if not wholly sympathetic or logical prejudice against his robot partner and others of his ilk, as well as against the community of spacers. The interaction with people even further bent along 'medievalist' mindsets acting as contrast. I'm sure people have drawn parallels from this viewpoint in the text to conservatives, traditionalists, even racists 2w

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Not that I condoned all the steps involved, but it certainly was captivating to see a character I had trouble identifying with at the start, be confronted with alternatives he'd never considered, and work through, without totally surrendering his personality, his deductive reasoning, to come to new conclusions.
It's what we always hope for.❤️ (edited) 2w

Robotswithpersonality 6/? ⚠️The falling down point of this text is definitely the only female character with more than a couple lines. The wife is frequently emotional to the point of hysterics, incapable of getting to the point, worried about her makeup in the face of impending interrogation and susceptible to joining fringe hate groups masquerading as revolutionary movements in a fit of peak when the only thing she considers spicy about her life story 2w

Robotswithpersonality 7/? (read: perhaps the last rare individual thing she was clinging onto when pressed into a life of restrictions and respectability) was challenged by her husband, oh and guilt-tripping her teenage son into going out to find her husband when suspected violent subversives are after him. What that actually translates to is Asimov taking numerous pauses in the text to do the figurative version of 'women? 🙄 Amirite?!' (edited) 2w

Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Jessie/Jezebel is an irritating plot device and justification for misogyny, not a fully fledged human being, and she deserved better. 2w

RamsFan1963 @Robotswithpersonality Sadly, most of the men of Asimov's era weren't good at writing female characters, so they were either cut out completely, they acted like men, or they were caricatures of female characteristics. It's one of the burdens you have to bear when reading "classic" sf 2w

Robotswithpersonality @RamsFan1963 Tragically gaining that period-accurate impression, yes. 🤦🏼‍♂️Honestly my Heinlein rereads should have clued me in. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 2w

9 likes9 comments

bookishbitch

Service Model | Adrian Tchaikovsky

It feels like fall is in the air today. I'm really enjoying this story so far.

13 likes

Robotswithpersonality

I, Robot | Isaac Asimov

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A spectacular collection of short stories, connected by the framing device of interviewing a person who has not only been involved in robotics for decades, specifically with the largest company that produces them and knows the rocky history of earlier days, but is a robopsychologist, the person with the most insight into the thinking of robots in the face of Asimov's famous Three Laws/Rules of Robotics. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Absolutely adored the writing, a tad bit of what I feel might be the difference in the way people spoke in the 50s vs now, and a tad bit meant to reflect the idea of people in the far future with a different lexicon, but mostly just a joy to read well done description and dialogue. Not too heavy on the hard sci fi, good banter, featuring moments that are emotionally impactful and also those of wry observation.
1mo

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Robbie: Definitely pushed all my buttons. An emotional rollercoaster.

Runaround: Still a favourite, the only one I vaguely remembered decades later. The challenging problem it presents, the way it addresses one of the many ways that three laws wouldn't be flawless in application, the duo of scientists arguing it out, and the ending, the last line actually made me laugh. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Reason: Two recurring characters, and a thoroughly engaging mind fuck.

Catch That Rabbit: Upping the cheeky banter between the two frustrated scientists, and the ending was a bit sillier too.

Liar!: Just tragic. Has a point, but damn.

Lost Little Robot: Tense but fascinating, sort of a mystery plot. 1mo

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Escape!: Oh, that was sneaky. I like it!

Evidence: Just a beautiful, clever peice of work.

Evitable: To have the answer be so hopeful and yet kinda chilling at the same time, yes and no to a lurking concern in this age of emerging AI...

It's a tragedy that my local library network has so little Asimov available, but between interlibrary loans and used bookstores I'm sure I can get my hands on more, and will do so soon! 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 6/6 ⚠️Somewhat misogynist depiction of woman scientist, ableist description of one character 1mo

Bookwomble This is such a fantastic, timeless collection of stories 😊 1mo

13 likes6 comments

Robotswithpersonality

I, Robot | Isaac Asimov

“...there is nothing so eternally adhesive as the memory of power.“ Ominous AND profound

9 likes

Robotswithpersonality

I, Robot | Isaac Asimov

Adding this one to my invective arsenal. 😏

10 likes

Robotswithpersonality

I, Robot | Isaac Asimov

It's all relative! 😆
These poor scientists. 🫢

wildwoodreads This makes me want to read this 😂 1mo

Robotswithpersonality @wildwoodreads I'm honestly having more fun than I thought I would! 1mo

12 likes2 comments

bookishbitch

Service Model | Adrian Tchaikovsky

I may have bought a couple of other books while in the shop today. The premise is interesting, but the teapot on the cover pushed me over the edge.

15 likes

AvidReader25

The Wild Robot Escapes | Peter Brown

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A wonderful second book in the series. We watch Roz in the role she was created for as a helper to humans on a farm. We watch her fight to return to her son. And my favorite part, we get to meet her designer! Excited to read the next book in the series.

CBee My oldest son and I love this series! 2mo

24 likes1 comment

BkClubCare

Sea of Rust | C. Robert Cargill

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Okay. OKAY! Did I almost tear up 😢 at the end and then laugh at myself for it? Yep.

#TeamBrittle and even some #TeamMadKind❗️
I just like the term “madkind”, I think. #bookclub #scifi #existentialism

NOTE: the narrator is a woman, female, so to me Brittle is she/her. Does it matter?

BkClubCare #July2025 Book62 (edited) 2mo

Reggie Ohhh I‘m so glad you liked it! The whole free robot town inauguration incident was so crazy to me. That whole part. I was so tensed. 2mo

BkClubCare @Reggie - It was action packed and also pushed the emotions without being manipulative. 2mo

44 likes1 stack add3 comments

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