A Bit Strange: We, Robots

We, Robots, a novella of the Singularity by Sue Lange
ebook, 64 pages
Published March 2010 by Book View Cafe

Read November 2011

This was a strange little story. Not in a bad way, just in a different kind of way. When the author sent the book to me, the description reminded me of a movie I watched as a kid. I don't remember the name of it, but it was about a family and the mother died. The children were upset and the father worked for a company or something like that and was offered a robot housekeeper of sorts. The family got to go the factory and choose everything about the woman who would take care of them. I remember the little boy had a special marble that was used for the robots eye color (I'm describing the movie because I'm hoping someone else remembers watching it and can tell me the name so I can stop driving myself crazy trying to remember).

Anyways, as I was saying. The description reminded me of this movie which I enjoyed as a child so I thought I would give the book a try. I did not see the cover until I went to load it on to my Nook. Probably had I, I would not have accepted the book for review. There is just something about the cover that at first glance kind of turned me off to the book. Maybe it was too cartoonish? I'm not sure and now having read the book the cover isn't so bad. Though there is still something a bit off for more.

The story was interesting. The domestic robot is telling the story and it gives the reader many things to think about without really drawing conclusions for the reader. This would be a great book for discussion on what it means to be human, how technology can be "good" or "bad" and is there a point in the advancement of our technology that is too far.

The story was well written, but it isn't anything fabulous. It is the part of sci-fi that I don't generally enjoy - the opening pages describing what Singularity is was a bit confusing to me. I'm just not a big fan of reading about technology. There wasn't really anything that made me "not want to put it down", but equally there wasn't anything about it that made me not want to read it. For these reasons, I gave it 3 stars (Oh my gosh, just had a flash back to my 4-H judging days with that sentence).

This book would have made a good topic for my college computer science class (the class focused a lot on the use of technology, not how to use computers per se). If you are looking for thought-invoking short story, then I would recommend We, Robots.

Note: Since I posted the review the cover has changed. This review now displays an updated cover photo.

Related articles

• Charley is my domestic Robot. (gerard5819.wordpress.com)

It's Monday! What I'm reading...

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey. It is a time when we share what we've read, currently reading, or what is up next on our reading list.

Finished:


Slave (Finding Anna #1) by Sherri Hayes. See my review.

Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.

As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Darren, leads him to buying a slave.

Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.

Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.

Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave? From Goodreads.com

 


We, Robots by Sue Lange

Avey, a personal robot purchased as a companion for a child, must learn how to think like a human. From Goodreads.com

Currently Reading:


Stuck in the Middle (Sister-to-Sister #1)

Joan Sanderson's life is stuck.

When a hunky young doctor moves in next door, Joan sets out to catch his eye. But it won't be easy. Pretty Tori flirts relentlessly, and Joan is sure that she can't compete. But with a little help from God, Allie, and an enormous mutt with bad manners, Joan begins to find her way out of this rut and into the life she's been hiding from.

Her older sister, Allie, is starting a family, and her younger sister, Tori, has a budding career. Meanwhile, Joan is stuck at home with Mom and her aging grandmother. Not exactly a recipe for excitement--or romance.

Book 1 of the Sister-to-Sister series, Stuck in the Middle combines budding romance, soul searching, and a healthy dose of sibling rivalry that is sure to make you smile. From Goodreads.com

 
The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens (Completed by David Madden)