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welby's review against another edition
5.0
I read this (listened, really) immediately after completing the previous book, Naked Sun. Asimov wrote them decades apart, and one can feel the difference between the volume written in the 50s and the next book written in the 80s. Having said that, the arc between the novels feels entirely consistent. Elijah Baley is summoned to the planet Aurora to solve a mystery. Where his previous off-earth experience had been to a planet (Solaria) where was almost unheard of, on Aurora the social climate is radically different. Once again, Asimov skillfully uses nuances of the word "harm" in the three robotic laws to impressive effect. What constitutes harm? How does one determine a greater of two or more potential harms? Asimov also asks several cultural questions centered around sexual mores that are still being asked today.
Spoiler
physical human contactsageprairie's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant! So brilliant. Did not see that ending coming at all!
captaincocanutty's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Think it says a lot I had to switch to audio and tuned out for about a quarter of it and didn't miss any important plot points.
World building was kinda neat but repetitive and meandering. Some weird honestly pervy sexual aspects. Usual mid century struggles of writing women.
World building was kinda neat but repetitive and meandering. Some weird honestly pervy sexual aspects. Usual mid century struggles of writing women.
erwanh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
bamugo's review against another edition
3.0
Elijah Bailey's third and final documented stressful and career making/breaking romp with R. Daneel Olivaw.
In Asimov's efforts to tie his robot stories together with his Foundation universe, some changes are made to the basic format of this book as opposed to the other two Bailey/Olivaw books. For one thing, Daneel takes a bit of a back seat to a new robot, named Giskard (who it seems will become something of a lynch pin in the times to come).
This time, the stakes are higher than ever before - and yet, the mystery to be solved has very little bearing on those stakes.
It almost feels like the plot got away from Asimov toward the end, and he fails to bring it back in line.
In Asimov's efforts to tie his robot stories together with his Foundation universe, some changes are made to the basic format of this book as opposed to the other two Bailey/Olivaw books. For one thing, Daneel takes a bit of a back seat to a new robot, named Giskard (who it seems will become something of a lynch pin in the times to come).
This time, the stakes are higher than ever before - and yet, the mystery to be solved has very little bearing on those stakes.
It almost feels like the plot got away from Asimov toward the end, and he fails to bring it back in line.
cmroczek's review against another edition
Got boring/tedious, read the synopsis to get connections to further Asimov books
alphatech9's review against another edition
2.0
I can't say I love this book.
Anyone who has been following my reviews will know that I have a certain affinity for Asimov's work. Unfortunately, it does not extend to this book. Asimov continues to orchestrate a fascinating world with characters that I have grown to love, such as the robot Daneel. These two reasons kept me reading, but barely. The only reason that I managed to find enjoyment in this work was Asimov’s ability to create interesting settings and positions that test Artificial Intelligence and its laws that we ourselves are concerned with in our current world.
The problem with this book lies deeply within its plot. For some strange reason, Asimov started to use sexuality as a main plot device, and he is not successful with it at all. There are enough issues looking at it from our current day lens, but even in trying to adopt the perspective that was prevalent within Asimov’s epoch, it just falls flat. Unlike his other works, which I enjoy, this book is not one that I feel I can suggest for anyone to read. In fact, I would skip this book completely if I were you. The Asimov universe will not suffer from its loss, and as a reader you will not miss out on anything of importance. I give this a ⅖.
Anyone who has been following my reviews will know that I have a certain affinity for Asimov's work. Unfortunately, it does not extend to this book. Asimov continues to orchestrate a fascinating world with characters that I have grown to love, such as the robot Daneel. These two reasons kept me reading, but barely. The only reason that I managed to find enjoyment in this work was Asimov’s ability to create interesting settings and positions that test Artificial Intelligence and its laws that we ourselves are concerned with in our current world.
The problem with this book lies deeply within its plot. For some strange reason, Asimov started to use sexuality as a main plot device, and he is not successful with it at all. There are enough issues looking at it from our current day lens, but even in trying to adopt the perspective that was prevalent within Asimov’s epoch, it just falls flat. Unlike his other works, which I enjoy, this book is not one that I feel I can suggest for anyone to read. In fact, I would skip this book completely if I were you. The Asimov universe will not suffer from its loss, and as a reader you will not miss out on anything of importance. I give this a ⅖.
guifre's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The end is kinda weird, it all concludes because of a insignificant detail that no one could have put it's attention on and one character becomes much more intelligent just because wich is a little disappointing
intermittent_farting's review against another edition
3.0
This one is just too long. In the first two, I loved Baley's method of long form questioning and repeating questions to different characters. His ability to draw conclusions and speculate based on subtleties is portrayed expertly and it's fun to be along for the ride. This one just takes too long. And the clumsy shoe-horning in of sexuality, typical of the 1980s, just leaves the reader feeling awkward. Frank Herbert took the Dune series that direction in over the top fashion and it was equally awkward. I'm not against it, but these guys didn't do it right and they started their iconic series without it, so adding it in was bound to feel forced.
aja_joan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0