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always_a_scientist's review
3.0
As with many readers, I read this story because it is the basis of one of my favorite movies, the original The Day The Earth Stood Still. However, the movie has almost nothing to do with the story. Except for the landing and the names of Klaatu and Gort, the plots are completely different.
The original story has a few interesting twists, However, this is a rare case in which I think the movie was better.
The original story has a few interesting twists,
Spoiler
including Gort being the real master and his ability to (imperfectly) reconstruct entire beings from sound recordings.antonism's review
3.0
3.5 / 5
Farewell to the Master is a short science fiction story by Harry Bates. A huge robot and a strange human appear on Earth on a surprise visit in a spaceship. In the first paragraphs the human gets accidentally killed and the robot apparently stops working and remains immobile from then.
Along the story, we follow the plot through the eyes and perspective of Cliff, a photographer who happens to discover something interesting and exciting about the robot. It is a very interesting premise and Bates leads us through the story in constant anticipation and excitement. I liked his writing very much. I particularly enjoyed how Bates gives small ordinary details about everyday things and feelings while avoiding becoming overly verbose. This helps keep the reader focused, interested and wanting to turn pages.
I found 2 main problems with this short story though. The first is the science which is all over the place. Of course, considering the story's original date of publication, it is expected that a lot of things don't make sense nowadays and unfortunately I can admit that it hasn't aged well. But even that, can't excuse some crazy scientific facts that would obviously be considered a bit dubious even then.
The second problem is the ending. I will of course not spoil it at all. I will just comment on two facts. One is that it is very sudden and abrupt. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case I think it doesn't work so well. The other, is that the ending feels as if was meant to be deeper and more philosophical, to elicit wonderment and questions and make the readers think about... what exactly I don't know! That's what was completely lost on me. Is there really anything deeper there or just a last moment plot-twist just because... "why not"?
But in summary, it's a very nice and interesting story. Since it can be read in an afternoon and can probably be found for free on the internet somewhere, I don't see any reason why not to recommend it. I personally enjoyed it a bit more than the 3 stars of my rating show.
3.5 / 5
Farewell to the Master is a short science fiction story by Harry Bates. A huge robot and a strange human appear on Earth on a surprise visit in a spaceship. In the first paragraphs the human gets accidentally killed and the robot apparently stops working and remains immobile from then.
Along the story, we follow the plot through the eyes and perspective of Cliff, a photographer who happens to discover something interesting and exciting about the robot. It is a very interesting premise and Bates leads us through the story in constant anticipation and excitement. I liked his writing very much. I particularly enjoyed how Bates gives small ordinary details about everyday things and feelings while avoiding becoming overly verbose. This helps keep the reader focused, interested and wanting to turn pages.
I found 2 main problems with this short story though. The first is the science which is all over the place. Of course, considering the story's original date of publication, it is expected that a lot of things don't make sense nowadays and unfortunately I can admit that it hasn't aged well. But even that, can't excuse some crazy scientific facts that would obviously be considered a bit dubious even then.
The second problem is the ending. I will of course not spoil it at all. I will just comment on two facts. One is that it is very sudden and abrupt. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case I think it doesn't work so well. The other, is that the ending feels as if was meant to be deeper and more philosophical, to elicit wonderment and questions and make the readers think about... what exactly I don't know! That's what was completely lost on me. Is there really anything deeper there or just a last moment plot-twist just because... "why not"?
But in summary, it's a very nice and interesting story. Since it can be read in an afternoon and can probably be found for free on the internet somewhere, I don't see any reason why not to recommend it. I personally enjoyed it a bit more than the 3 stars of my rating show.
3.5 / 5
aroldo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
twainy88's review
4.0
A short story that inspired the old-time movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still. The narrator brings the feel of the old movie to the book. Remarkably Hollywood really wasn’t true to the book.
I LOVED IT!
Are the alien & his robot here to help us or kill us? First contact.
Super short. Amazing ironic last line. Audible Plus Catalog.
4.5 stars
I LOVED IT!
Are the alien & his robot here to help us or kill us? First contact.
Super short. Amazing ironic last line. Audible Plus Catalog.
4.5 stars
isitcake's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome. Love the end. The movie adaptions "The Day the Earth Stood Still"? are close to the plot but not exactly. The ending is very Twilight Zone style :)
trish204's review against another edition
2.0
This is the 1941's radio production of the story and apart from a very revealing look at the ads of the time, this is also ... not the same story as what Harry Bates actually wrote.
I was shocked while listening to this - and not because of the toilet soap and other stuff they tried selling me.
In this version, two aliens come to Earth. One is a robot, the other one looks human and decides to meet the locals after not getting to meet with the world's leaders. He has some encounters with a boy and his mother, as is the same in all versions of this story, and then gives Earth its only warning.
The production scale is quite astonishing. Or maybe not, if one considers that there was no TV back in the day so families gathered around the radio to listen to such productions.
However, I never like or condone when a story is twisted too much for whatever reason. This is NOT Bates' story as it has practically nothing in common with the original and it's a shame, no matter if you liked the original story or not. I don't care why they changed it - if they want to perform this story, fine, but under a different title.
I was shocked while listening to this - and not because of the toilet soap and other stuff they tried selling me.
In this version, two aliens come to Earth. One is a robot, the other one looks human and decides to meet the locals after not getting to meet with the world's leaders. He has some encounters with a boy and his mother,
Spoiler
gets shot and diesThe production scale is quite astonishing. Or maybe not, if one considers that there was no TV back in the day so families gathered around the radio to listen to such productions.
However, I never like or condone when a story is twisted too much for whatever reason. This is NOT Bates' story as it has practically nothing in common with the original and it's a shame, no matter if you liked the original story or not. I don't care why they changed it - if they want to perform this story, fine, but under a different title.
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