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lukerik's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
You know when you come back to a novel you enjoyed as a teen only to find it’s crap? I think this one might be better than I thought, probably because I appreciate the socio-political implications far more than I did.
So there are two alien cultures. Both are flawed, and neither is an exact match for any of our cultures, but reflecting us like a shattered mirror.
The Spacers, rich, and red haired with all their genetic imperfections bred out. A high-tech agrarian society built on a labour force of robots, pre-programmed to slavery. Yet, the robots ‘integrated’ and apparently respected.
The Earthers poor, but rich in their genetic diversity. At one point we see someone’s police record and nowhere does it record their race. Hostile to the few robots they have for taking their jobs and living in appalling communal conditions in vast city states. These appear to be hives without a queen. A bureaucracy with no tyrant keeping them in their prison. There are unguarded exits to the outer surface of the planet, but the Earthers have become enslaved in their own minds.
Some nice parallels between Baley and Daneel, as despite their obvious dissimilarities, they’re both slaves in their own way.
An interesting religious theme too. Wonderful moment where the Spacer tempts Baley INTO his Eden by giving him an apple and Baley doesn’t like it.
Worth reading for its thought-provoking qualities, but also has a nice tight mystery plot and some distinctive, if not deep characterisation.
So there are two alien cultures. Both are flawed, and neither is an exact match for any of our cultures, but reflecting us like a shattered mirror.
The Spacers, rich, and red haired with all their genetic imperfections bred out. A high-tech agrarian society built on a labour force of robots, pre-programmed to slavery. Yet, the robots ‘integrated’ and apparently respected.
The Earthers poor, but rich in their genetic diversity. At one point we see someone’s police record and nowhere does it record their race. Hostile to the few robots they have for taking their jobs and living in appalling communal conditions in vast city states. These appear to be hives without a queen. A bureaucracy with no tyrant keeping them in their prison. There are unguarded exits to the outer surface of the planet, but the Earthers have become enslaved in their own minds.
Some nice parallels between Baley and Daneel, as despite their obvious dissimilarities, they’re both slaves in their own way.
An interesting religious theme too. Wonderful moment where the Spacer tempts Baley INTO his Eden by giving him an apple and Baley doesn’t like it.
Worth reading for its thought-provoking qualities, but also has a nice tight mystery plot and some distinctive, if not deep characterisation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
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