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A review by wandering_not_lost
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
I've never read any Asimov before, and this was a quick and enjoyable intro that's inspired me to read the other Robots books.
I was kind of pleasantly surprised with how interesting the stories were, considering how well-known the Robotic Laws now are and how much other robot meta has happened since. Though the stories a lot focus on philosophical issues that are generated by the Laws or are about the place of artificial intelligence in society, they felt familiar but never stale or predictable. I think some of the stories feel a little fantastical (where I wasn't entirely convinced that everything followed from the worldbuolding), but they move quickly and are enjoyable.
I also couldn't unsee the sexist undertones that I know are just par for the course in anything this old. There's a dearth of women side characters and where they show up they are just someone's wife or daughter, often fickle, manipulative, cruel, overly emotional, and at the mercy of their husband's or father's decisions. The main character of Dr. Calvin is an exception, but she is largely depicted as unfeminine and cold, with a diversion into her being humiliated the one time she takes a feminine role. So, never fun to see, but not generally egregious enough to really dent my enjoyment.
I was kind of pleasantly surprised with how interesting the stories were, considering how well-known the Robotic Laws now are and how much other robot meta has happened since. Though the stories a lot focus on philosophical issues that are generated by the Laws or are about the place of artificial intelligence in society, they felt familiar but never stale or predictable. I think some of the stories feel a little fantastical (where I wasn't entirely convinced that everything followed from the worldbuolding), but they move quickly and are enjoyable.
I also couldn't unsee the sexist undertones that I know are just par for the course in anything this old. There's a dearth of women side characters and where they show up they are just someone's wife or daughter, often fickle, manipulative, cruel, overly emotional, and at the mercy of their husband's or father's decisions. The main character of Dr. Calvin is an exception, but she is largely depicted as unfeminine and cold, with a diversion into her being humiliated the one time she takes a feminine role. So, never fun to see, but not generally egregious enough to really dent my enjoyment.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism