Fiction Featuring Robots- Not excessively sexual or exploitative

[RabbitMilitia]

I am looking for suggestions for any age group (children's, young adult, adult) - hoping to find fiction about robots that is not excessively sexual or over the top violent in nature and does not include exploiting or abusing robots as a major plot element. I noticed that a lot of books with bots seem to be kind of preoccupied with making the robot suffer- looking for something different. Any stories or books featuring vintage/old fashioned robots would be especially valued, but androids/gynoids are ok. I am especially looking for books about robots in their own environment or working in collaboration with people and/or alien species. I like aspects of the Wild Robot series and Isaac Asimov's robot books and also Star Trek novels. Thanks so much for any suggestions!

[Rainbowheart]

Might want to look through the Friendship Between Human(s) And Robot(s) thread.

[Kristen]

You would like the Monk and Robot series by Becky Chambers.

[...cats?]

The A.I. Who Loved Me
The Lifecycle of Software Objects
Klara and the Sun
Atomic Robo and the Fightin' Scientists of Tesladyne
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Robot King

[MJ]

Not sure if they completely meet your brief, as Murderbot is a ‘security bot’ and designed to be a disposable appliance who can be thrown at danger to safe humans... but he’s and his story are awesome and worth a read.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[MJ]

And Project Archangel covers the progression of robot life as a main part of two story lines... but one of the robots is a sex bot.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Robert]

Maybe it's too violent, but I'd definitely recommend the Murderbot series (starts with All Systems Red)
Another great book about a world inhabited by robots is Sea of Rust
Less robot, more AI in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

[SamSpayedPI]

City by Clifford D. Simak

[Pamela]

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown The Wild Robot

[RabbitMilitia]

Thanks so much everybody! Rainbow- I checked out that thread. Thanks :) ...cats- Some very good suggestions- I have always meant to the Hitchhiker's Guide (...) but somehow never have yet! Atomic Robo looks fantastic! Kristen- definitely going to check out the Monk and Robot books- they sound great. MJ and Robert- I will give Murderbot a try- violence is ok by me as long as it "fits" the story and isn't just added for shock effect. Also Robert- Sea of Rust sounds VERY cool. SamSpayed- Thanks for suggesting City! I can't wait to read that one. And Pamela- I'm about 1/2 through the Wild Robot and parts of it are truly excellent (though I had some early-on "issues" with Roz's treatment by the animals- probably too sensitive about bots **sigh**). There's also The Wild Robot Escapes- the sequel. Thanks again guys!!

[RabbitMilitia]

Ahh- and Robert- I forgot to even mention The Moon is a Harsh Mistress- it sounds extremely interesting and sentient AI is fine :)

[Pamela]

If sentient AI counts, then I recommend the Turing Hopper detective mysteries by Donna Andrews, starting with You've Got Murder. You’ve Got Murder

[Cynthia]

almost anything by Isaac Asimov

[Paige]

With Folded Hands...

[RabbitMilitia]

Thank you Pamela, Cynthia and Paige! I'll check out the Turing Hopper series and With Folded Hands. Cynthia- I'm working through the Isaac Asimov Robot series books right now!

[[deleted user]]

Cinder

[RabbitMilitia]

Thanks Concinnous! I have never heard of the Lunar Chronicles!

[Cynthia]

if you're working through Asimov's robot books, don't miss all his Foundation series, they are so worth it (and there's the streaming television series on AppleTV to check out)--"Prelude..." and "Forward..." are prequels, so don't know if you want to go in chronological order or written order
Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation
Foundation's Edge
Foundation and Earth
Prelude to Foundation
Forward the Foundation

[RabbitMilitia]

Thank you so much Cynthia! I will definitely check out the Foundation series!

[theStorykeeper]

Willful Machines - YA, both good and bad robots

Scardust - NA, (view spoiler)[LI is an AI (hide spoiler)]

If you're into TV/movies, I'd also recommend the I, Robot movie (different than the book but still thoughtful re: robots), the series Almost Human, and the kids movie The Iron Giant if you haven't seen it already.

[RabbitMilitia]

Fantastic suggestions Storykeeper. Thanks so much!

[John]

Just a suggestion, but Machines That Think is a fantastic anthology. Some of the stories might, however, exceed your violence quota.

[theStorykeeper]

remembered a couple more:

Happiness for Humans by P.Z. Reizin (if non-robotic AIs are also your jam)

and of course the classic movie Short Circuit!!

[RabbitMilitia]

John- I will definitely give Machines that Think a try! Thanks Storykeeper! I do remember Short Circuit :)

[Pamela]

Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin Spare and Found Parts

[RabbitMilitia]

Thank you Pamela! Interesting idea for that book...