Robot dreams

[Carlos]

Well, although this is not one of the books in the Foundation chronologic list, is the first Asimov’s book I’ve just finished this new year so, why not post a topic?

Robot dreams is a collection of short tales, mainly of robots, althought not all of them are about robots. It introduces Multivac, “The machine that won the war” (one of my favourite tales from this book), as an incredible giant machine which (or “who”) can calculate everything with the properly data.

There are specials tales in the book; for instance, the one without Robotic’s Laws :O Yes, it is. But, like in most of the stories from Asimov, people through the book are so rational than robots, or even more (The last answer; as a phisicist’s student, my favourite one).

However, there are a few, like Hostess or Franchise that are unnatural, where humans act forced by the reason, without any deep emotion.

Have you read the book? What tales do you or don’t you like?

[Marcella]

Carlos thank you for the post! This is one of the only collection of stories by Asimov that I haven't read yet. Your summary has made me want to read it as soon as possible !
I love reading about the 3 laws of robotics and the positronic brains!

I am going to try and buy the collection in my nearby book store :)

[Carlos]

Nevertheless, I wouldn't recommend strongly this book, because it has interesting tales, but other even a bit "crude".

For example, I'd suggest read the tales
"The machine who won the war"
"Lest we remember"
"Robot dreams"
"The Last Question"
"The ugly little boy"
"The Billiard Ball"

So, if I wanted to buy the book, first I read some of above's tales and then, I decided. But it's my opinion ;)

[Marcella]

In Asimov's autobiography "I,Asimov", he states that his favourite piece of work is "The Ugly Little Boy"! So I'll start from that one! :)
Thanks for the advice, Carlos!

[Carlos]

Ah, and The Martian Way. a bit of politic fiction, a lot of hard sci-fi